Mental health practitioners from across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Defense Department (DOD) participated in the Women’s Mental Health Webinar Series in September 2020.

Up to 8 hours of continuing education (CE) credits were available to participants who attended the live webinar sessions and completed the participant survey. For those who were unable to attend, speakers’ presentations and information on enduring training are provided below.

Presentations and Enduring Training

Speakers’ presentations from Women’s Mental Health Webinar Series are provided for reference purposes only. Reviewing the presentations is not sufficient to obtain CE credit. For VA and DOD mental health providers who did not attend the live webinars and want to take the trainings and obtain CE credits, session recordings are available as enduring trainings through the VA TRAIN platform. Register for each training using the links below.

Topic: Healing Through Awareness and Breaking Barriers: Then and Now

Presenter: Master Sgt. Deondra Parks (DOD)

This training about resiliency is intended for clinicians and health care teams. Learn about Master Sgt. Parks’ traumatic experience and how determination and self-advocacy helped in her physical and mental recovery.

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095026/

Topic: Sexual Health and Sexual Dysfunction

Presenters: Dr. Melissa Foynes (VA) and Dr. Kate McGraw (DOD)

This training raises awareness of the complex issues surrounding sexual dysfunction among female service members and veterans.

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095228/

Topic: Culturally Sensitive Care for Female Service Members and Veterans: The Role of Intersectionality

Presenter: Dr. Holly O’Reilly (DOD)

This training provides an overview of cross-cultural clinical work with female service members and veterans and will help clinicians understand how intersectionality can foster greater understanding of an individual’s experiences.

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095027/

Topic: Women’s Mental Health Across the Lifespan

Presenter: Dr. Laura J. Miller (VA)

This training provides an overview of women-specific influences on mental health throughout the lifespan, from in utero influences through adolescence, pregnancy, the postpartum period, the transition to menopause, and aging.

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095025/

Topic: Diagnosing and Treating Insomnia in Women

Presenters: Dr. Sarah Kate McGowan (VA) and Dr. Carla M. York

This training discusses general principles and application of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) with a focus on conceptualizing and adapting treatment recommendations for women

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095179/

Topic: Substance Use Disorders in Women

Presenter: Dr. Grace Chang (VA)

This training reviews the nature of substance use disorders, unique issues based on sex and gender, and the consequences of opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Register: https://www.train.org/vha/course/1095178/