Presenter:  Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW, an internationally recognized expert in youth suicide and social work technology. He is Professor of Social Work at Loyola University Chicago, Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology, author of over 100 publications, co-lead of the Social Work Grand Challenge “Harness Technology for Social Good,” and founder and host of the award-winning Social Work Podcast, for which he was named an NASW Social Work Pioneer in 2023. In 2024 he was named a Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research, and in 2025 he was named Distinguished Alumni at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work.

Designed for social workers, this 3-hour training explores how hormonal transitions intersect with mood, anxiety, cognition, trauma history, identity, relationships, and role strain. Participants will examine how midlife symptoms can mimic or exacerbate psychiatric conditions, why women are often overdiagnosed or undertreated during this life stage, and how cultural narratives about aging, productivity, and gender influence client experiences.

Using an outlook of “informed not knowing”, in this workshop we will explore the history of the AAPI diaspora, how the “Asian American” identity has been shaped by systemic racism, and the impact of race-based traumatic stress. We will pay special attention to the intra-group differences within the AAPI label, and the intersections with other dimensions of identity. At the end of the workshop, participants will be equipped to explore the uniqueness and nuances of the individual experiences of AAPI community members, and ways to support the AAPI community on a micro, mezzo, and macro level. This workshop will equip participants with strategies for navigating ethics, especially with regards to cultural humility, cultural competence, and social justice.

This training is rooted in three years of research and interviews with social workers, therapists, and other helping professionals. This training examines the profound impact of unresolved childhood trauma and adversity on the personal and professional lives of those dedicated to serving others. Drawing on real-world experiences and emerging neuroscience, participants will explore how childhood adaptations—such as people-pleasing, over-functioning, and emotional vigilance—become both strengths and vulnerabilities in their work.

Our nation is more divided that ever, both politically and culturally. One of the core principles of the NASW Code of Ethics is the importance of human relationships. Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change and work to engage people in the helping process. Social workers also seek to strengthen relationships among people.