Upcoming Webinars
Understanding Veterans: Factors Contributing to Substance Use Disorder and Suicide
As a part of its Innovations in Counseling series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 1–2 pm EDT. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
Authenticity is a cornerstone of recovery and well-being—particularly for veterans navigating the emotional and identity-related challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. Many veterans experience disconnection, diminished self-worth, and loss of purpose, which can increase vulnerability to mental health challenges and substance use disorder (SUD), while also hindering successful reintegration into the workforce.
This session explores how fostering authenticity, emotional resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose can strengthen long-term recovery, improve mental wellness, and support professional reintegration. Building on insights shared during the presenter’s 2024 TEDx Talk, The Unspoken Trauma All Veterans Face, this presentation offers actionable strategies counselors can use to help veterans—and other purpose-seeking clients—reconnect with their core identity and build sustainable well-being.
Through lived experiences, professional insights, and interactive tools, attendees will leave with new ways to help clients thrive not just in recovery, but in life and work.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- describe how loss of identity, disconnection, and reduced sense of purpose impact mental health, SUD vulnerability, and post-service adjustment for veterans.
- explain how fostering authenticity and emotional resilience can promote long-term wellness, resilience, and recovery.
- apply practical, strengths-based tools to help veterans rebuild connection, purpose, and identity—supporting both clinical outcomes and workforce readiness.
Presenters
Garret Biss, MRED, CPRC
Garret Biss is a retired Marine Corps pilot from New Bern, North Carolina. After retiring in 2015, he experienced challenges common among veterans, including anxiety, depression, and a sense of disconnection. Initially turning to alcohol to cope, Biss sought change when he began experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Rather than pursuing traditional addiction treatment, Biss found healing through mentoring that focused on self-worth, identity, and innate strengths. This approach not only helped him reduce substance use but also reignited his passion for life. His personal journey inspired a deep commitment to supporting others in recovery through tools grounded in positivity, resilience, and personal empowerment.
In 2017, Biss co-founded an addiction recovery residence in North Carolina. Over the past 6 years, he has served in various leadership roles, including interim program director, executive director, and board president. He is a certified professional recovery coach who works exclusively with military veterans. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by this population, Biss is committed to ensuring that emotional distress and substance use do not prevent veterans from realizing their full potential.
Biss holds a degree from the Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland and a master’s degree from the Harbert Business School at Auburn University. His dedication to service extends beyond recovery, as he is a pilot with the Civil Air Patrol and leader of a global water nonprofit, One Million Goal, Inc.
As an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate, Biss inspires audiences with messages of hope, selfworth, and purpose.
Guiding the Career Development of Generation Z in an Evolving Era
As a part of its Building Professional Excellence series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, from 1–2 pm EDT. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
Every generation brings unique characteristics, and Generation Z (Gen Z, born 1997–2012) is no exception. Growing up in the digital age and experiencing a global pandemic, Gen Z possesses distinct strengths and faces unique challenges in career development. Rapid technological innovation and global connectivity have broadened access to information and career opportunities while simultaneously empowering and complicating decision-making.
Global Career Development Facilitators (GCDFs) are equipped with specialized training in career development theory, assessment, labor market information, ethical practice, and employability strategies, allowing them to provide informed, client-centered support. This session explores Gen Z’s traits, strengths, and challenges observed in both individual and group settings while offering practical strategies, program ideas, and tools to support self-discovery, career exploration, job search readiness, and overall well-being throughout their lifelong career journey.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- identify key characteristics of Generation Z relevant to career development from a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) perspective.
- recognize how Gen Z’s strengths and challenges are present in career exploration and planning, informed by the GCDF core competencies.
- apply GCDF-aligned individual and group strategies to support Gen Z college students effectively in career-related settings, emphasizing client-centered and ethical practice.
Presenters
Satomi Yaji Chudasama, MS, NCC, GCDF, CCC
Satomi Yaji Chudasama is a National Certified Counselor, Global Career Development Facilitator, and Certified Career Counselor with over two decades of experience. Satomi currently serves as the Director of Student Engagement at the Center for Career Development at Princeton University. Since 2001, she has provided individual and group career development services to students and alumni across a wide range of academic and professional interests, working in both public and private university settings in the United States.
In addition to her work in higher education, Satomi has held multiple leadership roles within the career development community. She is a founding member and Past President of the Asia Pacific Career Development Association and has served as founding Chair of the International Student Services Committee within the National Career Development Association. She has contributed scholarly work through publications with national and international organizations.
In 2017, Biss co-founded an addiction recovery residence in North Carolina. Over the past 6 years, he has served in various leadership roles, including interim program director, executive director, and board president. He is a certified professional recovery coach who works exclusively with military veterans. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by this population, Biss is committed to ensuring that emotional distress and substance use do not prevent veterans from realizing their full potential.
Satomi received a Master of Science degree in counselor education from Syracuse University.
NBCC Foundation has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 805. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NBCC Foundation is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Each state sets its own requirements for licensure, including continuing education requirements to maintain licensure. Questions about CE requirements for state licensure should be directed to your state board. You can find their contact information on our state board directory.
