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Digital Dread: Navigating Cyber Anxieties and Ethics in the Age of AI

Previously Recorded
Dr. Julie R. Ancis Ph.D.
$59.99 USD

This timely workshop addresses the emerging mental health crisis and ethical implications of our digital age, drawing from Dr. Julie R. Ancis' pioneering work in cyberpsychology. As artificial intelligence, automation, and information manipulation reshape society at unprecedented speeds, mental health professionals are increasingly encountering clients experiencing profound anxiety about technological displacement, paralysis from information overload and misinformation, and ethical questions when interacting with cyber related advancements. This workshop equips practitioner with evidence-based strategies to address these uniquely 21st-century challenges. Participants will explore the psychological mechanisms underlying technology-induced future anxiety, including automation displacement fears, deepfake reality confusion, algorithmic helplessness, ethical questions about proper use, and the mental health impacts of of constant misinformation and disinformation. Through case studies and intervention strategies, clinicians will develop competencies in navigating uncertainty about their professional futures, build resilience against information manipulation, and maintain psychological well-being in an era of rapid technological change. Special emphasis is placed on understanding how these anxieties differentially affect various age groups, professions, and socioeconomic backgrounds, while developing approaches that balance realistic preparation for technological change with cognitive interventions for catastrophic thinking.

 

About the Presenter

Julie R. Ancis is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Informatics and Founding Director of the Cyberpsychology Program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Dr. Ancis is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 17, 35, and 46). Dr. Ancis’ extensive scholarly publications include 4 books, over 80 journal articles, book chapters, and technical reports; and over 200 professional presentations focused on cyberpsychology, multicultural competence, and the legal system.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify and describe the major psychological and ethical challenges emerging from technological advancements—such as automation anxiety, misinformation, and data-driven behavioral influence—as measured by learners’ ability to articulate these concepts in discussion or case analysis
  2. Apply evidence-based strategies to enhance digital resilience, promote ethical awareness, and support well-being among diverse populations as demonstrated through scenario-based exercises and reflective application of intervention models.
  3. Integrate ethical decision-making frameworks into professional practice when addressing issues related to artificial intelligence, automation, and privacy as evaluated through participants’ ability to analyze ethical dilemmas and propose balanced, informed responses.

Agenda:

I. Welcome and Introduction (20 minutes)

  • Welcome remarks and workshop overview
  • Presenter introduction 
  • Overview of cyberpsychology and its therapeutic applications

II. The Psychology of Technological Displacement Anxiety (20 minutes)

  • Dr. Ancis's framework: Cyberpsychology in the age of AI
  • Understanding automation anxiety and AI phobia
  • Psychological mechanisms of future-oriented tech anxiety
  • Professional identity threats across sectors

Guided Discussion (10 minutes)

III. MisInformation and Reality Erosion (20 minutes)

  • The psychology of misinformation susceptibility
  • Mental health and ethical impacts of mis and disinformation 
  • Vulnerable cognitive states

Break (10 minutes)


IV. Clinical Interventions for Digital Age Anxieties (20 minutes)

  • Cognitive-behavioral approaches for tech anxiety
  • Building digital resilience and adaptation
  • Information literacy 

Hands-On Activity (15 minutes)

  • Developing a digital adaptation plan


V. Ethical Implications (15 minutes)

  • Privacy and surveillance
  • Cybersecurity concerns
  • Digital divide
  • Generational and cultural trends


Case Study Exercise of Ethical Dilemma (15 minutes)


VI. Building Future Resilience and Adaptation (20 minutes)

  • Developing future-ready approaches
  • Preventive well-being strategies
  • Developing technological readiness 

Future Trends Discussion (1o minutes)

  • Emerging developments on the horizon
  • Building professional resilience


VII. Closing and Evaluation (5 minutes)

  • Includes Q&A session with presenter

This workshop offers 3 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
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  • Therapist Express 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-0325.
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Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.