Members Meeting & CE Presentation
January 24, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Agenda:
10:00 am - 10:30 am (Membership Meeting)
10:30 am - 11:30 am (CE Presentation)
DCMHCA Members Free to Attend, $15 for non-members
Join DCMHCA at: https://dcmhca.org/join-us
Renew your membership at: https://dcmhca.org/Sys/Profile
Location:
Zoom (link available after registration)
Registration Closes on January 23, 2026 at 7:00 pm.
Continuing Education Presentation:
1.0 CE Credit Hour
Working with Older Adults Including Assessing and Treating Depression and Anxiety
Presenter: Elizabeth Byam, MS, LPC (DC), NCC
Event Synopsis: Navigating Mental Health Care for Older Adults
As our population ages, the need for specialized, empathetic, and effective mental health support has never been greater. However, working with older adults requires more than just standard clinical practice; it demands an understanding of the unique developmental, physical, and social nuances of the aging process.
In this upcoming presentation, we will dive deep into the five essential dimensions of geriatric care:
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Challenging Ageism: Examining our own attitudes toward aging and how they influence clinical outcomes.
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Developmental Nuances: Understanding the physical and cognitive shifts that impact the therapeutic alliance.
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Targeted Assessment: Learning how to accurately identify depression and anxiety using tools tailored for older populations.
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Evidence-Based Interventions: Selecting the most effective treatment modalities for late-life mental health challenges.
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Coordinated Care: Embracing a multidisciplinary approach to ensure holistic patient success.
Whether you are looking to refine your assessment skills or broaden your toolkit of interventions, this session will provide you with the framework necessary to offer the most effective, dignified care for older adults.
What You’ll Learn:
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Identify 3 ways ageism can subtly impact treatment and how to mitigate its effects.
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Analyze physical changes and their direct influence on the therapy process.
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Master 9 critical considerations to address before beginning any assessment.
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Equip yourself with 6 key interventions specifically proven to treat depression and anxiety in older clients.
About Elizabeth Byam:
Elizabeth Byam has her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. She has a private therapy practice, Elizabeth M Byam Psychotherapy PLLC in Washington, DC. Elizabeth specializes in working the adult population, and in particular, older adults. She provides individual therapy for clients dealing with grief, depression, anxiety, chronic illnesses and pain, and life transitions, and she helps facilitate a grief group at her church. Elizabeth also volunteers as a grief group facilitator at Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center.
Previously, Elizabeth worked at Mary’s Center as the Mental Health Therapist for Older Adults. In that role, Elizabeth worked at Hattie Holmes and Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Centers providing individual therapy, as well as classes and groups on mental wellbeing, meditation, and grief. Elizabeth also provided individual therapy in Mary’s Center’s Behavioral Health Clinic. Prior to her work as a therapist, Elizabeth worked as a teacher, and as a tutor for children with learning disabilities, specializing in reading disorders.
Elizabeth is a National Certified Counselor. She has a certification in mental health and aging from the Center for Mental Health and Aging. She is also a certified grief counseling specialist. She is a member of ACA, AMHCA, and DCMHCA.
Elizabeth approaches life with curiosity and a love of learning. Elizabeth appreciates spending time with her family, friends, and her three dogs. She enjoys reading, yoga, meditation, being in nature, independent films, and exploring local and international destinations.
DCMHCA is a NBCC Approved Continued Education Provider, ACEP No. 2072.
