A deep dive into the research about suffering and how to move forward in the wake of chronic suffering, including processing the continuing distress relating to the COVID-19 pandemic

Interview-style, with Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • Course Description

    We can recognize suffering when we're experiencing it, but what does suffering really mean? How do we define it, when does it happen, and what do we do about it? This talk covers how suffering is an existential concern, how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed these core human fears, and how we make sense of our pain. Listeners will learn the value of a meaning-focused therapeutic approach to help clients flourish in all cycles of suffering, and, finally, listeners will be encouraged to grapple with the significance of the year anniversary of the global pandemic and how it indelibly changed life moving forward.

  • Learning Objectives

    Upon completing this course, participants will be able to: Explain how existential threats contribute to suffering and how humans can heal after experiencing great grief and loss; List the five existential concerns elicited by suffering; Describe the stages of suffering and recovery using the 5 A’s


    Target Audience and Instructional Level
    This course is intended for psychologists, therapists, social workers, clinical counselors, and addiction counselors. Instructional level: Introductory & Intermediate

  • How To Take This Course

    In order to receive a certificate of completion reflecting the associated CE credit hour, you must: #1: Enroll in this free course and create a free Clearly Clinical account #2: Listen to the corresponding course podcast #3: Log into your Clearly Clinical account and achieve a passing grade on the post-presentation test (the test has ten questions and you must earn a score of at least 80%; you are able to re-test) #4: Complete the required course evaluation.

    Course requirements (including the course audio, post-test, and course evaluation) can be completed on a computer or mobile device via your Clearly Clinical account.

  • Course Format

    This high-quality and interesting course contains a one-hour, non-interactive audio podcast interview which is available for free via Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or your other favorite podcast providers. You can also listen to and download the file via our course player.

  • Commercial Support

    There is no known commercial support or conflict of interest for this CE program, presenter, sponsor, instructor, or content.

  • Certificate Access Details

    Once you've completed the course, your certificate will automatically populate in the 'Certificate' section of your account; it will also be emailed to you. Access to completion certificate will expire 365 days after issuance. Course certificates will be on file for ten (10) years from date of course completion.

What Your Colleagues Have to Say About This Course

Pandemic Suffering

Linda Fong, LCSW

Thank you for practical clinical outlook in assisting clients through the maze of emotions and suffering that this past year has "dumped" on all of us. Excellent theoretic frame work for continued self and client perseverance.

Thank you for practical clinical outlook in assisting clients through the maze of emotions and suffering that this past year has "dumped" on all of us. Excellent theoretic frame work for continued self and client perseverance.

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Helpful and Informative

Maria Dierdorf

I found this course useful and informative both in my practice as well as in my own life.

I found this course useful and informative both in my practice as well as in my own life.

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Grounding during these groundless times.

Isabel Cabarcas-Quick

Speakers were knowledgeable and the interview as a whole rendered a very validating and comforting message of acceptance of the times and the normalcy of feeling groundless due to the season. Very nice to hear as a Psychologist and as a human bei...

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Speakers were knowledgeable and the interview as a whole rendered a very validating and comforting message of acceptance of the times and the normalcy of feeling groundless due to the season. Very nice to hear as a Psychologist and as a human being! Thank you!

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Panelists & Interviewer

Sara Showalter Van Tongeren, LMSW

Expert in Existential Positive Psychology

Sara A. Showalter Van Tongeren, LCSW specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Therapy, Brainspotting, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, and Liberation Psychology. She won the 2020 Social Justice Award given by the City of Holland for her work in helping to pass the city’s first Non-Discrimination Ordinance. Please visit Sara at saravantongeren.com, and follow her on Instagram @theexistentialtherapist.

Together, Daryl and Sara co-authored the book, The Courage To Suffer , which is published by Templeton Press and available wherever books are sold.

Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Ph.D.

Social Psychologist and Suffering Researcher

Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of psychology at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. A social psychologist, he has published over 180 scholarly articles and chapters on meaning in life, religion, and virtues. His research has won international awards, been supported by numerous grants from the John Templeton Foundation, and been covered by The New York Times. Please visit Dr. Van Tongeren at darylvantongeren.com, and follow him on Instagram @darylvantongeren or Twitter @drvantongeren.

ogether, Daryl and Sara co-authored the book, The Courage To Suffer, which is published by Templeton Press and available wherever books are sold.

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias, MS, LMFT

Interviewer

Elizabeth 'Beth' Irias (she/her) is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Founder and President of Clearly Clinical. She has specializations in Clinical Documentation, Best Practice, and Utilization Review, and works closely with clinical teams across the US as a trainer and national conference presenter. She operates a private practice in Westlake Village, CA, where she provides therapy to adolescent/young adult clients, members of the LGBTQ population, and those with addictive disorders. Beth is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University in the Graduate Psychology and Education department. She also has two young children, a super cool spouse who helps out with Clearly Clinical, and two rescue dogs.

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Why is Clearly Clinical the nation's premier CE provider?

  • CONVENIENT: All courses are 1-hour podcast episodes, available on Apple Podcasts, GooglePlay, and many others

  • AFFORDABLE: We are the least expensive unlimited CE option in the country

  • SOCIALLY-RESPONSIBLE: We donate to The Trevor Project for LGBT youth suicide prevention

  • WOMEN-OWNED: We are founded and run by Elizabeth Irias, LMFT

  • DIVERSE: We feature women and expert presenters from other historically-marginalized populations

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