Wellesley|McLean Workshop on Compassionate Boundaries & Navigating Difficult Conversations

Description

Application for social work continuing education credits has been submitted. Please contact Andrea Cordis at Andrea@mcoaonline.org for the status of social work CE accreditation. The cost for 2.5 CEUs will be an additional $20, invoiced upon completion of the workshop.

Working with older adults often means navigating emotionally charged situations, complex family dynamics, dementia-related behaviors, and moral distress—while still showing up with compassion and professionalism. This interactive, skills-based training will help participants develop confidence in managing challenging behaviors, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, and engaging in difficult conversations across various scenarios.

Through case examples, small-group discussions, and role-play practice, participants will learn evidence-based strategies for compassionate boundary setting, explore the concept of moral distress, and strengthen distress-tolerance skills for both staff and clients. Emphasis is placed on practical tools that can be applied immediately in day-to-day work with older adults, their caregivers, and beyond.

This training is led by Caroline Bader, MD, Associate Medical Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatient Services at McLean Hospital and Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, Program Director of the GUIDE Model and Caregiver Services at McLean Hospital’s Geriatric Outpatient Clinic. Together, they bring deep clinical expertise and a collaborative, real-world approach grounded in the values of dignity, relationship-building, and support for those working with older adults.