This free, two hour event will feature about one hour of education provided by Lisa Kays, a licensed clinical social worker in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, about common mental health reactions to being laid off, fired, or working in the uncertain and abusive environment federal workers and impacted contractors are facing (validation). The following hour will include time for attendees to share their experiences (vent), as they are comfortable doing, and to hear about the experiences of others.

Therapists in the community are invited to attend to hear and listen to the experiences of federal workers to better inform their work with these clients, and may share resources or offerings to those in attendance.