November is National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM), celebrated annually, a time to recognize and honor unpaid family caregivers across the country. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers. In recognition of NFCM, Courage to Caregivers is hosting its 6th annual Caring for the Caregivers Virtual Summit on Thursday, November 6, from 10 am to 2:45 pm ET.The Caring for the Caregivers Virtual Summit is free for unpaid family caregivers providing care to a loved one living with mental, chronic, or serious illnesses. It is also free for licensed professional caregivers. All are welcome to attend one, two, three, or all four workshops.
The deadline to register is November 5. Registration is available via Zoom
This year’s theme is Preventing Caregiver Burnout: Illuminating HOPE in Uncertain Times with presentations and workshops focused on advocacy, ethics, and the common humanity of caregiving. The Summit will feature an outstanding lineup of presenters made possible by generous donors to Courage to Caregivers.
“The primary goal of our Summit is to prevent caregiver burnout. Our sessions help professional and unpaid family caregivers develop the knowledge and life skills they need to build stronger coping strategies and greater resilience so they can continue providing care to those with mental, chronic, or serious illness,” said Kristi Horner, Executive Director of Courage to Caregivers.
Now in its sixth year, the Summit provides education, information, and support for caregivers in their journey toward better health and well-being. Free continuing education units (CEUs) are available for social workers, counselors, behavioral health professionals, and certified peer supporters (4 CEU credits in total).
Topics and Presenters:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
10 to 11 am ET: “Building a Compassionate Future for Caregivers” with Martin J. Schreiber, author of “ My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver” and former Wisconsin governor and lawyer. Marty will share his story of being a loyal and selfless caregiver to his wife Elaine who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at 67. This presentation will cover ways that people can be the best caregiver possible, so they not only cope but also survive and thrive in their role as caregivers, including: asking for flexibility at work, asking for help, taking care of their health, and advocating and voicing their concerns.
11:15 am to 12:15 pm ET: “Reducing Family Accommodation in Anxiety Disorders” with Desiree Untch, LISW-S, clinical social worker and the owner of Aspire Anxiety & OCD Solutions, a private practice in Ohio specializing in the treatment of OCD and related disorders. Accommodation is an enabling behavior in which families and clinicians may unknowingly fuel the cycle of the anxiety or OCD, causing the disorder to worsen in the long run. The aim of this webinar is to identify anxiety disorders affected by accommodation, such as OCD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Panic Disorder, explore accommodation in families of those who struggle with these disorders, and identify strategies to help clients and families dismantle accommodation within the family system.
12:30-1:30 pm ET: “TRACEs of Care: Mapping the Trauma Footprint of Family Caregiving” with Leah Buzek, CFPS, caregiver, founder of IncuBrighter and developer of the TRACEs framework. This session introduces TRACEs, a trauma-responsive framework designed to acknowledge and explore the often-overlooked impact of multi-systemic caregiving. Developed by a caregiver and systems navigator, TRACEs expands on traditional trauma models by identifying six distinct domains where caregiving can leave lasting emotional, physical, and relational marks.
1:45-2:45 pm ET: “because I said I would: The Importance of a Promise” with Keynote Speaker Alex Sheen, founder of because I said I would, a social movement and nonprofit dedicated to bettering humanity through promises made and kept. This presentation explores the intersection of personal accountability, resiliency, and professional integrity. Through powerful real-life stories, research-backed mental health habits, and practical frameworks, attendees will gain insights on how small commitments can create big change. The session highlights why commitment matters, how to face adversity with a resilient mindset, and how healthcare professionals can build character even in high-stress environments.