Tuesday, January 13th
1:00 PM ET – 4:15 PM ET
Overview:
Social isolation and loneliness have long been recognized as significant public health concerns, and their impact was further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges highlight the urgent need for innovative, evidence-informed approaches to foster belonging and community for individuals across the lifespan, from children to older adults.
In this presentation, Christina N. Marsack-Topolewski, PhD, LMSW will support attendees in exploring the distinctions between social isolation and loneliness, identify populations most at risk, and examine the psychological and physical health consequences of disconnection. Participants will learn assessment tools and strategies to recognize signs of loneliness and evaluate contributing factors, while also developing practical tools and resources to reduce isolation, strengthen community participation, and promote mental and physical well-being. Clinical considerations and strategies for supporting individuals experiencing mental health challenges will be emphasized throughout the course.
Objectives:
- Differentiate between social isolation and loneliness and recognize populations most at risk for exclusion.
- Identify at least five behavioral, emotional, or physical signs of loneliness.
- Examine the impact of social isolation and loneliness on mental and physical health outcomes.
- Summarize key factors for assessing loneliness and apply strategies and resources to support individuals in reducing isolation and building connections.
Scope and Limitations Disclosure
This course provides licensed mental health professionals with an overview of social isolation and loneliness, their health impacts, and practical strategies for assessment and intervention. While evidence-informed tools and clinical considerations are discussed, this training does not provide certification in a specific intervention model nor replace supervised training in specialized practice areas. Participants are encouraged to apply course material within their professional scope of practice and in accordance with licensure and ethical standards.
Commercial Support Disclosure
Dr. Christina Marsack-Topolewski has no relevant financial relationships or commercial support to disclose. Participation in this webinar does not require the purchase of any additional products or materials.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Christina N. Marsack-Topolewski, Ph.D., LMSW
Dr. Christina Marsack-Topolewski is an associate professor of Social Work at Eastern Michigan University. She received a bachelor’s of science in Special Education from Wayne State University. She trained under a specialized fellowship at the University of Michigan, receiving her master’s in Social Work and specializing in both school social work and aging from the University of Michigan. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski earned her Ph.D. in Social Work with a dual title in Gerontology from Wayne State University. Professionally, she has worked with individuals with disabilities and their family caregivers for about 20 years. She has also provided counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in clinical practice settings. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski’s research focuses on individuals with IDDs, their caregivers, advance care planning, service delivery, and service utilization. She has 70 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals and encyclopedias, mainly focusing on individuals with disabilities, caregiving, and aging. Her work is locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Marsack-Topolewski has been the lead on multiple grant-funded programs tailoring services to individuals with disabilities, older adults, and chronic illnesses. In 2019, she was appointed to the National Task Group on Intellectual Disability and Dementia Practices. She serves as both a board member and co-chair of Membership Affairs. Over the past 4 years, she has provided testimony at the state level (Michigan) to advocate for two house bills that would provide protections against exploitation for vulnerable adults, such as individuals with IDDs.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, 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. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course.  ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.Â

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses:Â |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |