Webinar event date: 
May 8, 2020 1:00 pm EDT
Webinar Presenters: 

Heidi Sturgeon

MSW, RSW

Heidi Sturgeon & Associates

Heidi Sturgeon competed her Master’s in clinical social work from the University of Toronto in 1997. Heidi has extensive experience working with adults, children, adolescents, and families. Her work draws from her training in: CBT, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Solution focused therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative therapy, Client Centered therapy and Mindfulness.

 

Her experience also includes working for the NB Provincial Government in Leadership positions within the Departments of Health & Education. During this time she acquired specialized training in the LEADS in a Caring Environment Leadership Capabilities Framework with the Ontario College of Health Leaders; Performance Excellence Leadership Training with Simplicity Designs; as well as Training in Process Improvement, Supervision, Coaching, Mentoring and Attendance Management.

 

Heidi’s vision to improve access to mental health therapy led to her developing an Online Mental Health Private Practice in 2016, www.heidisturgeon.com, that provides secure and confidential therapy to clients in the comfort of their home, office or location of their choice. In 2019 her practice expanded to all Atlantic Canada becoming the first Online Mental Health Practice in Atlantic Canada. In addition to her Online Practice Heidi continues to see clients in Halifax.

 

When not working with clients or on her Private Practice Heidi can be found on or near the water, reading or appreciating a good cup of coffee.

 

Description

This is a very stressful and challenging time across NS for Social Workers quickly learning to develop means of maintaining contact and therapeutic relationships with their clients during COVID 19.  As discussed, a proposal to provide education to the members on quickly transitioning to virtual client care.

 

Rationale:

 

Social Workers are needing to make rapid changes to their Social Work Practice to adapt to the COVID 19 Pandemic.  Heidi Sturgeon, a RSW in NS, has been practicing Online Therapy for the past 4 years. During this presentation she will share information to help transition to Online Practice - considering confidentiality and ethical and legal aspects of Practice. Participants will learn what privacy laws to be aware of, what types of software, hardware and paperwork they will need to consider as well as lessons learned from her own practice.

 

Topics to be discussed:

  • Video Options for meeting with clients 
  • Home office set up to see clients online
  • Practice Management
  • Emergency Planning
  • Virtual Social Work Practice Tips – lessons learned