Description:
Providers and community members grieving the loss of someone who used drugs face a uniquely complex bereavement experience. Social stigma, the lasting impacts of the War on Drugs, and provider-client dynamics can make this grief harder to navigate than other types of loss. In this training, Lexi draws on professional expertise and personal lived experience to normalize the non-linear journey of grief — including a brief critique of mainstream grief frameworks. Participants will explore the overlapping mental health symptoms between overdose grief and vicarious trauma, and examine how witnessing others' trauma can present similarly to drug-related loss. The training closes with practical self-care and collective-care strategies, because moving through grief isn't something we do alone!
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Learn about how grieving and loss is impacted by collective trauma and social stigma
- Understand how signs and symptoms of grief related to death from overdose or fentanyl poisoning, and how these signs and symptoms overlap with vicarious trauma symptoms
- Strategize self-care and collective-care plans to help cope with overdose grief in professional and personal community
About the Presenter:
Lexi Alberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trainer, advocate, and chronic pain therapist in Olympia, WA. Lexi partners with agencies, businesses, community centers and non–profits to address the mental health impacts of burnout, vicarious trauma, and minority stress. She believes that we learn best from one another and loves facilitating healing conversations by drawing on the wisdom already present in every room she works in — with communities and workplace teams alike. Lexi also facilitates support groups for survivors of violence and for Peer Providers who are working in non-profits, with a focus on providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. She advocates for collective-care, alongside self-care, to help us thrive, heal, and persevere.
Before her work as a trainer and chronic pain therapist, Lexi spent over 10 years working in social services. Her focus was on supporting the survival needs and mental health for unhoused survivors of violence, particularly those who belong to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Over the past 15 years, she has served as crisis-phone line operator, a domestic and sexual violence advocate, a Mental Health Program Manager for homeless services, a multicultural therapist, and helped facilitate meeting the basic needs for people experiencing homelessness. Now, she uses her experiences and expertise to support people in her community to thrive and heal.
Lexi Alberts, LICSW serves as a subject matter expert on burnout and vicarious trauma for the National Healthcare from Homelessness Council and is proud to be an active Member Leader in the National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color Network.
Registration closes November 30th, 2026
This course is approved for 3 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.
