South Dakota School Counselor Association

Preconference Workshop

 

  

Support Grieving Students
presented by Genevieve Nelson, LPC, NCC, Certified School Counselor 

Thursday April 23 , 2026
Time: 9:00 to 12:00 pm MT
12:00 to 1:00pm MT Lunch On Own
1:00 to 4:00pm MT
6.0 Contact Hours

 
 
Synopsis of Presentation:
It is estimated that more than 6.4 million U.S. children are bereaved. More than 200,000 children have lost parents or caregivers to COVID-19 alone. One in 11 children will experience the death of a parent or caregiver by the age of 18. Such loss can destroy a child’s sense of safety, upend any sense of normalcy and completely reconfigure their understanding of the world. As school counselors, how are we serving our grieving students? Dive deeper into understanding grief and all of its complications in today's world. Through an overview of new and former grief work theories, understand the needs of the bereaved, while examining the societal stigmas and barriers many grievers experience.

 

Learning Objectives for Workshop:
After attending this workshop, participants should be able to: 

  • Discuss the varied signs and symptoms of grief
  • Use preferred terminology surrounding death
  • Identify and explain secondary losses
  • Reduce discomfort and ambiguity surrounding grief work
  • Adapt provided tools and resources to use with grieving students
  • Strategize how to work appropriately with grieving students both individually and in small group settings. 
Cost:
SDSCA or SDMHCA Member- $60
SDSCA or SDMHCA Student or Retired Member- $60
Non-Member- $75
 
Speaker Information:

Gen Nelson is a licensed professional counselor specializing in grief work and is adjunct faculty in the Missouri State University counseling department. Previously, Gen worked as both a school counselor for nine years and a grief counselor for six years in the group and individual settings at Lost & Found Grief Center in Springfield, Mo. She served on the ASCA Board of Directors and as assistant chair for the Missouri School Counselor Association’s Board of Directors. She has provided many presentations for school counselors, at both the state and national levels, on how to work effectively with grieving students and their families.

 

South Dakota Mental Health Counseling Association

Preconference Workshop 

 

Being Funny Makes Life Easier: Using Humor, Somatic Movement, CBT, and REBT Techniques to Improve Resilience and Emotional Regulation
presented by Krista Arnold, MsEd, LMHCA  

Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 MT
12:00 to 1:30 MT Lunch On Own
1:30pm to 4:30pm MT
6.0 Contact Hours 

Synopsis of Presentation: 
This keynote explores the intentional use of humor as a clinically sound tool for emotional regulation, nervous system stabilization, and cognitive flexibility. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), somatic psychology, and the neuroscience of humor, participants will learn how humor—when used ethically and intentionally—can reduce stress responses, increase psychological resilience, and improve client engagement.

The presentation integrates psychoeducation with experiential components, including gentle somatic movement, rhythm-based regulation techniques, and cognitive reframing exercises. Participants will examine how humor impacts the nervous system, supports cognitive restructuring, and helps clients tolerate distress without minimizing pain. Practical applications will be provided for clinicians, educators, and helping professionals seeking evidence-informed tools to support emotional regulation, burnout prevention, and therapeutic rapport.
 

Learning Objectives for Workshop:
After attending this workshop, participants should be able to: 

  • Identify the neurobiological mechanisms through which humor and movement support emotional regulation and nervous system calming.
  • Apply basic CBT and REBT principles to reframe maladaptive beliefs using humor as a cognitive flexibility tool.
  • Demonstrate at least one somatic or movement-based technique to reduce stress and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
  • Differentiate between ethical, therapeutic humor and humor that may invalidate client experiences.
  • Integrate humor-based and somatic strategies into clinical, educational, or professional settings to enhance engagement and resilience.
Cost:
SDSCA or SDMHCA Member- $60
SDSCA or SDMHCA Student or Retired Member- $60
Non-Member- $85

 

Speaker Information:
 Krista Arnold is a Master’s-level mental health counselor with extensive training and experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), and somatic-based interventions. She has worked in clinical and school-based mental health settings and regularly provides psychoeducation on emotional regulation, stress management, and resilience.

 

 

    The South Dakota Counseling Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2042. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The South Dakota Counseling Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 
This organization, South Dakota Counseling Association approval ID 1058, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the: South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.