What does counseling have to do with the environment? Come join us in an in-depth conversation with Dr. Debbie C. Sturm on the topic!
What is a Roundtable Session?
Our roundtable sessions offer a chance to dive into a topic with an expert presenter, or team of presenters. They provide an opportunity to dig deeply into a particular topic during a 90-minute presentation.
Description
The climate crisis is predicted to have a profound impact on the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, with our most vulnerable neighbors being at an elevated risk. This impact includes depression, anxiety, PTSD and pre-traumatic stress, fear, eco-grief, irritability, anger, violence, and loneliness, as well as disease spread, heatstroke, lung disease, heart disease, suicidal ideation, and premature death. The effects of climate change on community mental health and wellbeing are already taking place globally and locally. In addition to making the connection between the climate crisis and mental health, participants will explore how the ACA Advocacy Competencies create a pathway for everyone to find their personal form of advocacy and leadership in the areas of climate change, environmental justice, and climate justice. The presenter’s personal journey and the outcomes of the work will provide context.
Presenter Bio
Dr. Debbie Sturm is a 2008 graduate of UNC-Charlotte's Counselor Education program, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Professor at James Madison University, and contributing faculty for Walden University. Her clinical specialties include trauma, community violence, family systems, and nature-connectedness. She has graduate coursework, training, and teaching in environmental advocacy, environmental education, climate resilience efforts, environmental justice, and communication strategies. She is a member of ACA’s Climate Crisis Task Force and Human Rights Committee. She received the 2013 SACES Award for Outstanding Teaching, the 2020 SACES Courtland Lee Social Justice Award, and the 2021 Counselors for Social Justice Climate Justice Award. She is a trained member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps. In 2017, Dr. Sturm wrote the first article on climate and mental health to appear in ACA’s Counseling Today. Since then, she has published two book chapters and two encyclopedia entries on the impact of climate on mental health. She has produced a dozen (including in-press) peer-reviewed journal articles, delivered 18 conference presentations, and presented to nearly a half dozen state counseling associations on nature-connection, climate justice, and climate-related issues. She is deeply passionate about expanding this conversation among counselors across the country.