20 Hours / 20 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Counseling and Chronic Illness: An Overview is presented by Cristen Wathen, Ph.D. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for support for emotional well-being related to specific chronic health issues has been highlighted. This program focuses on the need for and value of culturally competent counseling resources for those with chronic illnesses. Chronic Illness processes significantly impact the physical, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal aspects of one's life and of the lives of their caregivers. The lack of solid mental health support systems for patients and the paucity of training in this area for therapists is disproportionate to the number of individuals and family systems experiencing chronic illness and all that comes along with differing diagnoses. This program provides an overview of research, resources, and interventions in working with this population.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe research about the need for mental health support and resources that can be utilized for clients diagnosed with chronic illness.
  • 2 Describe research about the specific modalities, skills, and contexts needed for counseling those with chronic illnesses.
  • 3 Describe research regarding health disparities and resources for how to incorporate culturally competent counseling with chronically ill clients.

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health professionals and graduate students in psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy, particularly those who specialize in culturally competent counseling, chronic illness support, and psychosocial interventions. The program is relevant for individuals who support patients and families managing chronic health conditions.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists
    • Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Graduate Students in psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy programs

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience in supporting clients with chronic illness.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to counseling clients with chronic illness and seek foundational knowledge about research, resources, and culturally competent interventions.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience working with clients with chronic illness and wish to deepen their understanding of specific modalities, skills, and health disparities relevant to this population.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience in this area and are looking to refine their expertise, integrate advanced culturally competent practices, and contribute to the development of best practices in the field.

  • Practice Setting

    Practitioners work in multidisciplinary, health-aligned environments that integrate behavioral health with medical care, delivering culturally responsive psychosocial support to patients and caregivers affected by chronic illness—a need heightened since the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide services across the continuum of care, coordinating with medical teams and community resources to address physical, emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal impacts.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Hospital consultation-liaison services and inpatient units
    • Integrated primary care and specialty clinics (oncology, cardiology, nephrology, endocrinology, pain)
    • Community mental health centers
    • Rehabilitation, palliative care, and hospice programs
    • Private and group practices
    • University counseling centers and student health services
    • Telehealth/virtual care and home-based services
    • Nonprofit/public health and care management programs
Presented By

Cristen Wathen, PhD

Dr. Cristen Wathen is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. She has a background in working with survivors of trauma and child sexual abuse. She also has experience counseling and advising college students and working with underserved populations in educational settings. Currently, her research interests center around mental wellness needs for those with chronic illnesses, organ transplantation, and genetic disease in family systems. Cristen earned her master's degree from Baylor University and her doctoral degree from Idaho State University. Before joining PAU, she was an Assistant Professor at Montana State University for four years. She has served as the RMACES president and as ACES secretary in her professional service. She is a licensed counselor in Montana and in Idaho and will soon be transferring her license to California.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, 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-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, 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-0073.