My Strength and My Hope is Perished – CJ Sorenson

Ministering to Those Experiencing Self-Injury & Suicidality. In this presentation CJ will define non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation, plan, and intent. He will discuss the rapid rise in these phenomena as well as the risk factors and warning signs to attend to in our congregations. He will identify protective factors to cultivate, as well as prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies appropriate for ecclesiastical leaders to minister to their congregants who are suffering. CJ Sorenson, MSW, LCSW is a Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work at Utah State University and the Director of Field Education. He is also a board member of the national Clinical Social Work Association. He is the owner and clinical director of Resilience Counseling Services in Logan, Utah. He has over 15 years of clinical experience and expertise in treating anxiety disorders, OCD and scrupulosity, mood disorders, trauma, substance abuse and other addictions, grief/loss, distressed couples, attachment disorders, shame, and other conditions. He finds great fulfillment in helping clients resolve their suffering and find healing consistent with their self-determined goals and values. CJ has presented locally and nationally on mental health, suicide prevention, the intersections of religion/spirituality with social work, professional ethics, sexual compulsivity, self-compassion and more. C.J. has been married for 15 years and has 3 children. He enjoys working in his yard and garden, cooking pizza in his wood-fire oven, traveling, listening to podcasts, and cycling.