False Self Formation in Digital Culture and Christian Identity

A live interactive Web Workshop hosted on Google Meet for social workers and licensed professional counselors. Continuing Education Credits Awarded/ Contact Hours: 3 clock hours (ASWB/ACE) (NBCC), 3 CE (MD BSWE)

This is a hybrid event. The event will be hosted at Grace Community Church (8200 Old Columbia Rd., Fulton, MD, 20759) and broadcast online with a link provided upon purchase of admission. If you have purchased a ticket to access the recording of the session, access to the recording will be provided after the session has concluded and the recording has been edited.

*If you are a CentrePointe alum and are interested in attending this session, please send an email to office@cpchope.org. Current students may also qualify for free attendance. Please send an email to office@cpchope.org to learn more about this opportunity.

Course Description:

This presentation topic emerged directly from my clinical work with adolescents and families. Over the past several years, I have observed a growing number of teenagers struggling with identity confusion, anxiety, self-worth, validation-seeking, and difficulties distinguishing their authentic sense of self from the personas they construct online. Parents frequently report feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to help their children navigate the pressures of social media, comparison culture, and online identity formation. While these concerns are already evident in clinical practice, I believe we are only beginning to see the impact of digital culture on identity development. As social media continues to shape how young people understand themselves and relate to others, these challenges will likely become an increasingly significant mental health concern. This presentation aims to help clinicians recognize these emerging patterns and develop effective, evidence-informed strategies to support adolescents, young adults, and families in fostering authentic, resilient, and healthy identity formation.

Objectives

Participants will:

1.Explain the psychological foundations of false-self development and authenticity.

2.Evaluate the influence of social media and digital culture on identity formation.

3.Differentiate between normative distress, identity narratives, and psychopathology.

4.Apply evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support authentic self-development.

5.Integrate psychological and faith-based perspectives when working with issues of identity and self-concept.

Our Presenter: Cristina Emrich, EdD, LCPC

Cristina Emrich is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She works as a professional counselor for CentrePointe Counseling. She has been serving children, adults, couples, and families on a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, life transitions, parenting, relationship issues, and anger management. Cristina earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology in Romania, a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy at Liberty University, and a Doctoral of Education in Community Care & Counseling: Marriage and Family at Liberty University.

Registration & information:

The cost to attend this event is $60, which includes a certificate of completion.

Space is limited. Cancellations must be received prior to the event date to be eligible for a refund.

Register online at www.eventbrite.com/o/centrepointe-counseling-inc-9832900843. Registration closes on November 11th, 2026.

This live webinar takes place on Google Meet and is fully interactive. Attendees may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussion

Operating Systems Requirements: Windows 10 or higher, MacOS 10 or higher, Android 5.0 or higher. • Internet Browser: Internet Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge (Chromium based), Safari. • Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible

Please contact CentrePointe Counseling’s Continuing Education Director, Matthew Raeder (mraeder@centrepointecounseling.org.), if you have questions, concerns, or grievances about this course or require ADA accommodation.

Course completion & CE information:

Course completion requirements: Social workers and Professional Counselors must attend the entire course and complete a course evaluation to be eligible for CE credit.

Certificates of completion will be emailed within 7 business days of course completion.

CentrePointe Counseling, provider # 1586, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 02/28/2025 – 02/28/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

CentrePointe Counseling, Inc. is an approved sponsor of The Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland. Social Workers and Professional Counselors should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval for continuing education credits.

CentrePointe Counseling, Inc. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6569. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CentrePointe Counseling, Inc. is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.