Enhancing Knowledge Through Online Learning

Bimonthly online discussions are continuing education opportunities for mental health interpreters and clinicians who work with deaf consumers.  QMHI's are required to have 40 contact hours of continuing education per year.

You can go to this URL  https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting- for more information on how to join the webinar.  More tips for using Zoom can be found HERE

All presentations are in the form of a webinar.  Links to the webinar will be sent out the same day as the event. This year our webinars will be hosted on Zoom.  To use this platform, please read documents on the Zoom Website.

Important:  In order to ensure time to process your registration, the completed form and payment must be received 7 days prior to the event you wish to join.

The registration fee for all online discussions in the calendar year 2025 is just $35.*  

How to Register:

  • Send a check for $35.00 made out to ADARA- MHIT Fund along with the completed form to:

Shannon Reese, Services Coordinator
Alabama Department of Mental Health
Office of Deaf Services
P.O. Box 301410
Montgomery, AL  36130

* January to December.  This fee is NOT pro-rated. 

Upcoming Events

Note New Times for 2025

All Events run 6:00 - 8:00 PM Central Time

2025 Events 

July 8                Neurodivergence in Mental Health                                        Presenter: Rayne Depukat

September 9   LBQTIA+ Art Therapy                                                              Presenter: Kurt Oster

November 18  Development of the theory of mind                                    (ToM) in DHH children and the lifelong                                implications of ToM deficits                                                   Presenter: Cathy Chovaz

             

"Now Showing"

“Body Image, Ableism, and Eating Disorders in Deaf Youth”

Presented by:

Claire Ryan, Ph.D.

Claire Ryan, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Dell Medical School and a pediatric psychologist specializing in pediatric eating disorders at Dell Children’s Medical Center. She earned her doctorate in the combined School/Clinical Child Psychology program at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Ryan completed her APA-accredited predoctoral residency in Pediatric Psychology at the Children's Hospital of Orange County, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in Disordered Eating/Adolescent Medicine at Dell Medical School/Dell Children’s Medical Center. In collaboration with the Center for Deaf Health Equity, she contributes to research and publications examining adverse childhood communication experiences in the deaf population. As a Deaf psychologist, she is committed to promoting equitable behavioral health care and uplifting the voices of disabled communities in health systems.

The Purpose of the Training 

This Bi-monthly online discussion will provide participants with opportunities to interact with interpreters and clinicians in the field of deafness, explore research articles, discuss presentations, and apply the online discussion to service provision.

Deaf youth face unique challenges in developing a positive body image within a society shaped by ableism and narrow standards of normativity. This interactive workshop will provide an overview of the most common pediatric eating disorders and their risk factors, with a critical focus on how body image concerns uniquely impact Deaf youth and other marginalized populations.

The Objectives of the Training:

  • Analyze common pediatric eating disorders along with population-specific risk factors.

  • Assess unique risk factors for body image disturbances among Deaf youth and ableism.

  • Identify culturally and linguistically responsive adaptations to evidence-based treatments for this marginalized group.

After the Training, participants will

  • Define two eating disorders most seen in Deaf youth.

  • Discuss two risk factors in this population in terms of eating disorders and ableism.

  • Evaluate two culturally and linguistically appropriate treatments for Deaf youth in this population

Pre-reading: NA 

Target Audience:

Interpreters in Mental Health, Community Interpreters, Mental Health Professionals, School Counselors

May 13, 2025

All discussions are conducted from
6:00 - 8:00 Central Standard Time (CST) (Note New Time)

Presentation Flyer Available for Download HERE