2025 Professional Continuing Education Online Webinar
Nature, Nurture, and Neuroplasticity: Exploring the NEAR Framework
Friday, June 6, 2025, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Online Workshop – Three (3) CE Credits
This Program meets the Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice content requirement
Fee: $39/person
FREE for Active PBC Volunteer Clinicians
Featured Presenters: Aidan L. Grennell Cormier, LMSW MPH
Session Description: Join us to learn more about the NEAR framework—a holistic approach to understanding the roots and impacts of trauma, particularly trauma that occurs in early stages of life. Integrating Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACEs, and Resiliency, the NEAR framework provides a deep dive into the different biological, social, and psychological factors that influence childhood development with a strong focus on the intersections of these different components.
This course explores the NEAR framework as a whole while focusing on the impacts of trauma on marginalized individuals, particularly queer and Black people.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
- Identify the four components of the NEAR Science framework (Neuroscience, Epigenetics, ACEs, and Resilience) as a holistic approach to understanding trauma in LGBTQ communities.
- Apply tools to support LGBTQ clients that address the root causes of trauma on both individual and community levels.
- Explore modalities of engagement with LGBTQ individuals that are trauma-informed and utilize the NEAR framework as basis for individual and community empowerment and resilience.
- Discuss the strengths and limitations of the NEAR Science framework and its application to individual and community trauma.
Presenter Bio: Aidan L. Grennell Cormier, LMSW MPH
Aidan L. Grennell Cormier, LMSW MPH (they/them/theirs) is a queer educator, advocate, and facilitator. As a polyamorous, non-binary, and kinky individual with a history of collective organizing and harm reduction, they believe in helping people have uncomfortable conversations in productive ways. This includes utilizing anti-racist frameworks, focusing on destigmatization wherever possible, and centering individual and community consent practices. Grounded in research and theory, they have a variety of lived experiences that are helpful and beneficial in training, organizing, and mediating, focusing on both the agency and autonomy of the individual as well as the needs of the collective.
Workshop registrants will receive a code prior to the webinar to log on to Zoom and participate in the online session.
IMPORTANT: Attendance will be monitored. Participants must be logged on to the meeting by the workshop start time and participate in the entire event in order to earn CE credit.
Pro Bono Counseling is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Pro Bono Counseling maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The Maryland Boards of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors and Therapists certify that this program meets the criteria for three (3) credit hours of continuing education for social workers (Category 1 ), professional counselors, and therapists (Category A) licensed in Maryland.
CE credit is granted to participants with documented attendance at individual workshops. Attendance is monitored. Credit will not be granted to registrants who log on late or depart early from a session. It is the responsibility of registrants to comply with these requirements.
Please note that upon attendance verification, you will receive your CE certificate within four weeks via email. Please add Pro Bono Counseling to your contacts and check your SPAM folder to ensure delivery.
Registration Note – PBC will only collect data required to document attendance and deliver CE credits. PBC does not share registrant information.
By registering for this event, all participants agree to abide by the following code of conduct:
Workshop Code of Conduct
Pro Bono Counseling (PBC) is dedicated to providing a positive continuing education experience for everyone of all backgrounds and identities. We do not tolerate disrespectful behavior or harassment of workshop participants, facilitators, or PBC staff in any form. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of characteristics that include but are not limited to: gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, citizenship, veteran status, pregnancy status, race, ethnicity, or religion. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in unacceptable behavior, PBC may take any action it deems appropriate, including warning or expelling the offender from the event with no refund.
Workshop Views Disclaimer
The views expressed by the workshop presenter(s) and participants are their own opinions and do not represent Pro Bono Counseling, and do not imply an endorsement of them or the organizations they represent.
