Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in Older Adulthood

Description

Older adulthood is not what's left over—it is a vital and dynamic stage of life. Yet too often, the emotional and mental health needs of older adults are dismissed, misunderstood, or overlooked entirely—even by well-meaning professionals.

The societal cost of this neglect is high, but the opportunity to make a difference is even greater. If you work with older adults or plan to, this course offers a path forward grounded in compassion, research, and practical solutions.

Dr. Matthew Fullen, Ph.D., M.Div., LPCC (OH), is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech and one of the nation’s leading scholars on aging and mental health. With extensive research funded by organizations like the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and The Mather Institute, Dr. Fullen brings unparalleled expertise on building resilience, addressing stigma, and promoting wellness among older adults. He is widely recognized for his groundbreaking work on Medicare mental health policy and suicide prevention in later life.

Dr. Fullen’s teaching approach blends scholarship and storytelling with practical tools for clinical use. Drawing from extensive data and human experience, he equips clinicians to recognize the mental health challenges of aging while also seeing the remarkable potential for resilience and growth in later life.

Topics in this course include shifting demographics in the aging population, ageism in healthcare, the unique presentation of depression and anxiety in older adults, trauma-informed care considerations, and substance use patterns in later life. Dr. Fullen also explores wellness frameworks, risk factors for suicide, and evidence-based intervention strategies, along with the “5 A’s” framework for improving mental health service access.

Key Takeaways:

• A deeper understanding of aging and mental health: Learn how mental health challenges uniquely manifest in older adulthood and the current prevalence rates that demand attention.

• Awareness of access and stigma issues: Gain insight into how societal and internalized ageism impact care, and how to overcome these barriers with compassion and skill.

• Practical strategies to support aging populations: Discover concrete tools and models for enhancing mental health service delivery and promoting wellness in older adults.

Why this course?

• Clinically relevant and research-driven: This course offers both the academic rigor and practical relevance needed to enhance your effectiveness as a clinician.

• Led by a nationally recognized expert: Dr. Fullen is one of the counseling profession’s most prolific voices on aging, bringing both clarity and inspiration to a complex topic.

• Backed by a mission-driven organization: Telehealth Certification Institute equips healthcare professionals with exceptional continuing education so they can offer the highest quality care to those they serve.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the current prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults living in the United States.

• Recognize differences in how mental health is experienced in older adulthood, as well as the impact of older adults’ lack of access to mental health services and stigma related to aging and/or mental health.

• Develop strategies for community providers to support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns.

Whether you serve older adults directly or want to become an advocate for change in your community, this course will help you bridge the gap between awareness and action.

Enroll today and join a growing movement of clinicians committed to honoring the complexity, dignity, and resilience of aging.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 3 hours of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Matthew Fullen, Ph.D, M.Div., LPCC (OH)

Dr. Matthew Fullen is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech where he teaches in the counselor education program. Dr. Fullen's research, teaching, and advocacy focus on the mental health needs of older adults, with an emphasis on developing programs to enhance resilience & wellness among older adults, preventing suicide in later life, and addressing gaps in Medicare mental health policy. Dr. Fullen is the counseling profession’s most active scholar on aging and mental health.

He has received research grant funding by both public and private entities, including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as well as The Mather Institute. He recently received the American Counseling Association’s Top Research Award for his study on Medicare reimbursement challenges faced by counseling professionals.

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 3 continuing education hours of credit.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 180 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement