2025 Professional Continuing Education Online Webinar
Addressing Veterans’ Mental Health Needs: A Focus on Diverse Subpopulations
Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 12:10 PM
Online Workshop – Two (2) CE Credits
Fee: $29/person
FREE for Active PBC Volunteer Clinicians
Featured Presenters: Jennifer C. Grinnell, LCPC; and Cori Carfagno, Ed.D.
Session Description: This course is for therapists who want to enhance their understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges veterans from underrepresented backgrounds may face while improving their ability to provide culturally informed, empathetic care. The session will explore factors that influence mental health outcomes, including barriers to access, stigma, and service-related stressors. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and evidence-based strategies, participants will develop inclusive approaches to assessment, treatment, and advocacy. By the end of the course, therapists will be better equipped to build trust, promote equitable care, and support the well-being of all veterans.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, the participant will be able to:
- Explore the historical, cultural, and social factors that shape the experiences of minority veterans, including racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ identities, and how these intersect with their military service and post-service mental health needs.
- Apply tools and techniques to assess the mental health of minority veterans while incorporating culturally sensitive and trauma-informed care practices that respect the veteran’s background and identity.
- Examine the unique barriers minority veterans face in accessing mental health services, including stigma, mistrust of the healthcare system, and cultural factors, and identify strategies to improve engagement and care delivery.
- Discuss the importance of advocating for minority veterans within the broader context of military and veteran policies, while addressing systemic inequities and providing resources for continued support.
Presenter Bio: Jennifer C. Grinnell, LCPC
Jennifer Grinnell is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who received her graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. She spent many years overseeing Mental Health Clinics, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs and Residential Programs serving clients with chronic and persistent mental illness. She has been with EveryMind for the past 8 years, the first 4 1/2 years overseeing the Adult and Community Services Division and is now Director of Community Mental Health Education with EveryMind. Jennifer is also a Certified Health Coach and is fluent in American Sign Language.
Presenter Bio: Cori Carfagno, EDd
Dr. Cori Carfagno serves as the Director of ServingTogether, a Program of Everymind, dedicated to providing comprehensive care coordination and suicide prevention support for veterans, service members, and their families. Her deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations is rooted in her twenty-year career in higher education, where she championed the success of post-traditional students, including student veterans, first-generation college students, undocumented students, and transfer students from community colleges. Dr. Carfagno’s doctoral research focused on the transition experiences of neurodiverse transfer students, and she remains committed to developing accessible learning materials for diverse populations. She holds a doctorate from the University of New England, master’s degrees from Baruch College and Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.
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 two (2) 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.
