Maintaining Emotional Connections through Virtual Encounters

Speaker:

Scott M. Krysztofiak, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Potomac Center, Inc.

Scott Krysztofiak is a licensed clinical psychologist who works at a group practice in Alexandria, VA. He holds a Master's degree in counseling psychology from Towson University, and completed his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Washington DC.

Dr. Krysztofiak trained in a variety of mental health settings, including psychiatric rehabilitation, inpatient, community mental health, and private practice. Case management was a significant part of Dr. Krysztofiak's training, especially while he was a predoctoral intern at Loudoun County Mental Health, a division of the county's community service board (CSB).

He works primarily with adults and adolescents, providing individual psychotherapy and psychological assessments.

Dr. Krysztofiak has utilized telehealth as a way of serving clients since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, he taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr Krysztofiak presently serves as the Diversity Chair for Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists (NVCP).

Description:

During this unusual year marked by the uncertainty of virus transmission, we have all had to learn to adjust. We have adjusted our social habits; we have adjusted our prevention efforts; and we have adjusted our modes of communication. Even the most technology-phobic has tried a Zoom or Adobe Connect meeting. However, even as certified case managers are catching on, they may need practice and hints to improve communication with clients. Practice makes perfect.

This webinar will help improve case managers’ virtual communication skills. Specifically, this webinar will provide a practical approach to 1.) understanding how virtual communication differs from in-person encounters; 2.) improving over-communication techniques; and 3.) experimenting with new virtual approaches.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe how to prepare for telehealth visits to ensure the best connection with the patient.
  • Refine communication techniques to assure patients have adjusted to telehealth.
  • Discuss how to pick up emotional cues in a virtual patient encounter, leading to better connections and outcomes.
  • Engage virtually with a patient’s home environment and with family.
  • Describe how ethical issues can be addressed during virtual meetings.

To earn 1 Ethics CE, please purchase this webinar here.