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Social media, Living for whom? The impact of insta-living on mental wellness and brain development

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026   10:00 AM EDT -1:00 PM EDT
Rebecca Soffer, PhD and Faye F. Walkenfeld, PhD and Meira L. Orentlicher, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CRA
$59.99 USD Cost For Member: $39.99

Recent data shows a sharp rise in anxiety and depression among young adults and youth (GenZ). Haidt (2024) links increased suicidality in girls and "failure to launch" in boys to the prevalence of social media and video gaming. To address this crisis, we must first understand how emotional regulation develops, enabling confidence in risk-taking, decision-making, and self-identity. When these developmental processes are disrupted by an unhealthy environment, mental health declines. Therapy can support these missed developmental opportunities through neurobiological, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment-based interventions.

About the Presenter

Rebecca Soffer, PhD, is the undergraduate deputy chair of psychology at the Lander College of Arts and Sciences in Flatbush. As a licensed clinical developmental psychologist, Dr. Soffer is the founder and Clinical Director of Developmental Partners LP, a private practice providing developmental assessments for children in the tri-state area.

Meira L. Orentlicher, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, CRA is the Director of Research and Faculty Scholarship in the School of Health Sciences and Professor and Associate Chairperson for Research and Scholarship in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Department. Her clinical experience and research are focused on preparing young adults with autism and their families for the transition from school to adult life. More specifically, she is studying the applications and impact of person-centered planning strategies and consumer-directed self-determined disability benefits on young adults and families.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Define emotion regulation and describe at least three ways it supports mental wellness and psychological development (e.g., decision-making, risk-taking, identity development).
  2. Explain how attachment, play, and other experience-dependent processes contribute to emotion-regulation development, and summarize at least two mechanisms by which excessive technology/social media use can disrupt these processes
  3. Identify and apply at least three intervention strategies (neurobiological/somatic, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment-based) to support emotion regulation in clients impacted by excessive technology use, using case examples or vignettes.

Agenda:

 

Agenda: Social Media, Living for Whom? The Impact of Insta-Living on Mental Wellness and Brain Development

1. Introduction and Defining Anxiety (10 minutes)

  • Overview of anxiety and its increasing prevalence in young adults and youth (GenX).
  • A brief discussion of the link between social media and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality.

2. Understanding Emotion Regulation (10 minutes)

  • Explanation of emotion regulation and its significance in mental wellness.
  • Overview of how the ability to regulate emotions influences confidence, decision-making, and risk-taking.

3. Feedback Mechanisms and Emotional Regulation Development (25 minutes)

  • In-depth discussion of the feedback mechanisms involved in emotional regulation.
  • Exploration of how emotion regulation develops from childhood and the role of experience-dependent processes in healthy emotional development.

4. The Role of Attachment in Emotional Development (15 minutes)

  • Discussion on attachment and its critical role in developing emotional regulation.
  • How secure attachment promotes emotional resilience and healthy self-concept.
  • 5. The Role of Play in Emotional and Social Development (15 minutes)
  • How play fosters emotional, social, and cognitive development.
  • The importance of play in fostering resilience and adaptability.

6. The Impact of Technology on Brain Development and Mental Wellness (20 minutes)

  • Exploration of how technology, particularly social media and video gaming, affects brain development and mental health.
  • Data-driven discussion on the correlation between increased screen time, social media, and mental health challenges in youth.

7. Therapeutic Interventions to Promote Emotion Regulation 

  • Part 1: Neurobiological Strategies (20 minutes)
    • Overview of brain-based interventions aimed at promoting emotional regulation.
    • Discussion of neuroplasticity and how therapeutic interventions can repair and replace missed developmental opportunities.
  • Part 2: Clinical Mental Health/Psychological Strategies (25 minutes)
    • Cognitive-behavioral and attachment-related approaches to improving emotion regulation.
    • Practical therapeutic strategies for addressing anxiety and depression in clients affected by excessive technology use.

8. Case Studies and Application (25 minutes)

  • Discussion and analysis of case studies highlighting the impact of social media on youth.
  • Interactive discussion on applying interventions in real-world settings.

9. Summative Remarks and Q&A (15 minutes)

  • Final thoughts on balancing technology use with mental wellness.
  • Open forum for participants to ask questions and reflect on key takeaways from the workshop.

 

 

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.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
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*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.