The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is introducing a new, free five-part educational program for mental health professionals who support individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD) and their families. Titled Bridging Mental Health and Parkinson's Care, the course is designed to deepen understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges associated with Parkinson's while equipping practitioners with practical tools to better support both patients and their care partners.
The online training series will be released over five months, with one session becoming available each month from July 22 through November 18, 2026. Participants who complete each module will be eligible to earn one continuing education (CE) credit per session.
Course Schedule
Session 1: Understanding Parkinson's Disease – Building a Strong Foundation for Mental Health Professionals
Available: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Led by Melita Petrossian, MD, Director of the Pacific Movement Disorders Center, the opening session introduces participants to Parkinson's disease, including its symptoms, progression, psychosocial effects, and the close connection between neurological changes and mental health.
Session 2: Mental Health Challenges in Parkinson's Disease
Available: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Presented by Gloria Lebeaux, LCSW, Director of Social Services at Friedberg JCC, this session focuses on identifying and managing depression, anxiety, and apathy in individuals with PD. It also covers evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practical intervention strategies for clinicians.
Session 3: Supporting Family Caregivers
Available: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Facilitated by Sheila Moore, MSG, LCSW, of the Pacific Movement Disorder Center, together with Maureen Feldman, MA, Director of the Social Isolation Impact Project, this module examines the emotional demands placed on caregivers. Participants will learn approaches to strengthen caregiver resilience, enhance well-being, and connect families with appropriate support resources.
Session 4: Age and Cultural Perspectives in Parkinson's Mental Health Care
Available: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
In this session, Natalie Diaz, MD, of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, discusses how cultural background and age influence the mental health experiences of people living with Parkinson's. The presentation also emphasizes culturally responsive, equitable approaches to care.
Session 5: Understanding Grief and Loss
Available: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Presented by Lori Nisson, LCSW, of Banner Health, the concluding session explores anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss, and practical strategies that help maintain quality of life for both individuals with Parkinson's and those who care for them.
According to Rosa Peña, MSW, APDA's Senior Vice President of Programs & Services, the emotional and psychological effects of Parkinson's disease frequently receive less attention than its physical symptoms, despite their significant influence on everyday life. She noted that this specialized training is intended to give mental health practitioners the knowledge and confidence needed to provide compassionate, informed, and effective support for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers.
The new program expands APDA's growing collection of professional education courses, which also includes:
The online training series will be released over five months, with one session becoming available each month from July 22 through November 18, 2026. Participants who complete each module will be eligible to earn one continuing education (CE) credit per session.
Course Schedule
Session 1: Understanding Parkinson's Disease – Building a Strong Foundation for Mental Health Professionals
Available: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Led by Melita Petrossian, MD, Director of the Pacific Movement Disorders Center, the opening session introduces participants to Parkinson's disease, including its symptoms, progression, psychosocial effects, and the close connection between neurological changes and mental health.
Session 2: Mental Health Challenges in Parkinson's Disease
Available: Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Presented by Gloria Lebeaux, LCSW, Director of Social Services at Friedberg JCC, this session focuses on identifying and managing depression, anxiety, and apathy in individuals with PD. It also covers evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practical intervention strategies for clinicians.
Session 3: Supporting Family Caregivers
Available: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Facilitated by Sheila Moore, MSG, LCSW, of the Pacific Movement Disorder Center, together with Maureen Feldman, MA, Director of the Social Isolation Impact Project, this module examines the emotional demands placed on caregivers. Participants will learn approaches to strengthen caregiver resilience, enhance well-being, and connect families with appropriate support resources.
Session 4: Age and Cultural Perspectives in Parkinson's Mental Health Care
Available: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
In this session, Natalie Diaz, MD, of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, discusses how cultural background and age influence the mental health experiences of people living with Parkinson's. The presentation also emphasizes culturally responsive, equitable approaches to care.
Session 5: Understanding Grief and Loss
Available: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Presented by Lori Nisson, LCSW, of Banner Health, the concluding session explores anticipatory grief, ambiguous loss, and practical strategies that help maintain quality of life for both individuals with Parkinson's and those who care for them.
According to Rosa Peña, MSW, APDA's Senior Vice President of Programs & Services, the emotional and psychological effects of Parkinson's disease frequently receive less attention than its physical symptoms, despite their significant influence on everyday life. She noted that this specialized training is intended to give mental health practitioners the knowledge and confidence needed to provide compassionate, informed, and effective support for people with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers.
The new program expands APDA's growing collection of professional education courses, which also includes:
- Parkinson's Disease Training for Fitness Professionals – This course equips fitness, health, and wellness professionals with the knowledge needed to design safe, effective exercise programs for people with Parkinson's disease. Since regular physical activity plays a vital role in symptom management, the training focuses on improving mobility, function, and overall quality of life.
- Parkinson's Disease Awareness for First Responders – Designed for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, this course explains how Parkinson's symptoms can present during emergency situations and provides guidance on delivering appropriate, informed care.
- Taking Care of the Person with Advanced Parkinson's – Intended for home health aides, visiting nurses, nursing home staff, and other caregivers, this program addresses the complexities of advanced Parkinson's disease and offers practical techniques for managing evolving symptoms and improving patient care.
All APDA professional training programs are delivered online, offered at no cost, available to anyone interested, and can be completed at each participant's own pace, making them accessible to professionals seeking flexible continuing education opportunities.
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