COVID-19 Webinar Series by Applied Educational Psychology, School Psychology Students, Professor

Authors, left to right (top row): Kaori Chaki, Xavior Baker, Kristen White, Diana Nersisyan, Valeri Hakobyan;(bottom row): Prof. Debbie Stiles, Courtney LeCompte, Maria Escalona, Erica Suchland, Sarah Brown

A group of Webster University School of Education graduate students and their professor, Debbie Stiles, produced a series of webinars on COVID-19, children, and international psychology, which are available for replay. The webinars were designed for educators and mental health professionals who are working with children and adolescents on the "front-lines" of COVID-19.

They are informed by the authors' research, expertise and perspectives in Webster's Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology graduate proram.

Stiles is the co-chair of the American Psychological Association International Psychology COVID-19 work group on Training and Education. These introduction and webinars now appear on the APA Division 52 COVID-19 webpage, and they can also be viewed directly through the links below:

Introduction to the COVID-19 Webinars 

1. Child psychology, international children’s rights, and age-group approaches to COVID-19

This webinar provides caregivers, educators and mental health professionals with information on the pandemic related issues facing children at varying stages of psychological development. This webinar includes international perspectives and practical resources for adults that will assist them in responding to the needs of children during COVID-19.

Citation: Suchland, E., Baker, X., Chaki, K., & Stiles, D.A. (2020). Child psychology, international children’s rights, and age-group approaches to COVID-19 [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University. https://www.screencast.com/t/c2xr1brs7z

2. The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Children: Perspectives of two International Students from Armenia

This webinar is about dealing with COVID-19 from the perspective of two international students from Armenia. It illustrates the current situation in Armenia and personal experiences of students who live and study in the USA and, at the same time, endure the hardships of being in a lockdown.

Citation: Nersisyan, D., Hakobyan, V., & Stiles, D.A. (2020). The psychological impact of COVID-19 on children: Perspectives of two international students from Armenia. [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University. https://vimeo.com/444392059/a9e1578cc9

3. The impact of COVID-19 xenophobia on children

This webinar is about the impact of COVID-19 xenophobia toward Chinese/Asian children from the perspective of an international student from Japan. It shows how the situation surrounding children had been changed by COVID-19 in the shape of xenophobia, and what to be done to support them.

Citation: Chaki, K. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 xenophobia on children [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University. https://vimeo.com/user115573328/review/444407632/4c03523eae

4. COVID-19: Perspectives of an international school psychology student from Venezuela

An international student from Venezuela and future school psychologist created an informative webinar about COVID-19. In the webinar, Ms. Escalona shares her personal experiences with COVID-19 and provides this advice: focus on being well, staying strong and moving forward with faith. The webinar is available in English and Spanish versions.

Citation: Escalona, M. (2020). COVID-19: Perspectives of an international school psychology student from Venezuela [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q10V2VC1Xyk&feature=youtu.be

5. Building resilience in “at-risk” children during a global pandemic: The importance of gaining new professional knowledge and practicing self care

This webinar is a resource for educators and mental health professionals who are working with “at-risk” children during the COVID-19 global pandemic. We outline two groups of children who are particularly at-risk and describe the most beneficial practices for these children and their caregivers internationally.

Citation: White, K., Suchland, E., & Stiles, D. (2020). Building resilience in “at-risk” children during a global pandemic: The importance of gaining new professional knowledge and practicing self care [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University, https://www.screencast.com/t/DF43XqvJuTR

6. Helping Muslim students cope with grief: A guide for teachers and counselors

This webinar helps educators and counselors develop cultural competency for working with Muslim students experiencing grief. The webinar touches on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on death related and non-death related grief. It adds to the field of international psychology by exposing counselors to how Muslims handle difficult life situations and what their faith teaches them about grief.

Citation: Brown, S. (2020). Helping Muslim students cope with grief: A guide for teachers and counselors [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University https://youtu.be/q0m7xGCSoEg

7. Mindfulness: From Eastern roots to universal applications

This webinar examines the Buddhist roots of mindfulness, a practice frequently mentioned as a solution for coping with COVID-19 related stress and anxiety. The webinar highlights a scientific psychology study that found success in integrating Buddhist principles into a mindfulness-based treatment for grief.

Citation: LeCompte, C. (2020). Mindfulness: From Eastern roots to universal applications [Webinar]. Applied Educational Psychology and School Psychology, School of Education, Webster University. https://youtu.be/3PIbO3Ev8V0