Free 6-Week Virtual Mental Health Program Begins in March

Dr. H’Sien Hayward, a Bay Area psychologist living with a SCI, will facilitate this first ever virtual mental health series for people with SCI

NorCal SCI is offering an opportunity to participate in a free 6 session virtual program led by Dr. H’Sien Hayward, licensed clinical psychologist and SCI survivor (see bio below). This pilot program will be limited to 10 participants from Northern California.

The purpose of the program is to offer discussion, strategy, and skills in a group setting for addressing the many challenges that come from living with a spinal cord injury.

Both newly spinal cord injured individuals and “pros”/old timers are welcome - because adjusting to SCI is a lifelong process. Individuals will attend all six sessions in the series because they will be cumulative - each session will build on prior sessions. Each session will be a combination of learning new skills and information and sharing our experiences. All participants will be asked to maintain confidentiality.

The main objectives of the group will be to:

1. Provide education about adjustment and coping strategies (to normalize the variety of phases and stages following a loss, and to highlight the nonlinear nature of grief);

2. Facilitate the adjustment process (by encouraging emotional expression, normalizing the loss experience, and providing a safe place where clients can explore their feelings);

3. Support adjustment to a new life after the injury (by developing coping skills, assisting in finding new meaning in life, and promoting resilience); and

4. To enhance social support and connection (by encouraging communication with others who can offer support, and reducing social isolation).

The sessions will be held on:

Wednesday, March 18th, 4-5:30pm

Wednesday, March 25th, 4-5:30pm

Wednesday, April 1st, 4-5:30pm

Wednesday, April 8th, 4-5:30pm

Wednesday, April 15th, 4-5:30pm

Wednesday, April 22nd, 4-5:30pm

To be considered, interested participants must meet the following criteria to support the purpose of new pilot program and make this an optimal experience for all who participate:

● Have a spinal cord injury/disorder

● Reside in Northern California

● Able to commit to all 6 sessions listed above

● Be comfortable having your camera on during the sessions

**We’ll accept participants first come first serve so if you’re interested apply HERE before February 25th to secure your spot**

Accepted participants will be informed by March 6th.

Please reach out to us with any questions: info@norcalsci.org

Dr. H’Sien Hayward is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in the Silicon Valley of Northern California. H’Sien completed her bachelor's and first master's degrees in psychology at Stanford University, and her PhD in psychology at Harvard University. Her National Science Foundation-funded research investigated the science of happiness and posttraumatic growth, with a focus on people with spinal cord injuries. Her research has been featured in numerous academic journals, book chapters, and news sources such as the Wall Street Journal.

A spinal cord injured wheelchair-user herself, H’Sien has done humanitarian work aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities around the world, taking wheelchairs and other mobility equipment to LMICs including Mongolia and Costa Rica, teaching positive psychology-based interventions in Thailand after the Southeast Asia tsunami, working with genocide survivors in Rwanda, and speaking at the United Nations about eliminating ableism. Two books for lay audiences, Metamorphosis: How and Why We Change by Polly Morland, and Upside: The New Science of Posttraumatic Growth by Jim Rendon, contain accounts of H’Sien’s life and work. In her free time, she is an avid traveler and is racing a friend to get to 50 countries (he is at 41, she is at 42).