Stetson Hosts Dementia Training and Certification for Counseling Students, Faculty, and Alumni

Attendees gained hands-on clinical skills and nationally recognized certification through an intensive training led by dementia expert Dr. Joshua Freitas.

March 27, 2026

On March 14, Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education hosted a full-day dementia training and certification event, providing students, faculty, and alumni with practical, evidence-based skills to support individuals and families navigating dementia. The event was coordinated by Professor Nicole King, an adjunct instructor in the department, in partnership with Stetson’s Alpha Omicron chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI).

The training was led by Dr. Joshua Freitas, Chief Research Officer at the CERTUS Institute, Senior Vice President of Program Development and People Operations at CERTUS Senior Management, LLC, and Chair of the Board and Chief Education Officer for the National Institute for Dementia Education (NIDE). Participants had the opportunity to earn the NIDE Certified Dementia Professional (NC-DP) credential while engaging in applied learning experiences. Attendees explored topics such as dementia progression, communication strategies, person-centered care, and de-escalation techniques, all designed to prepare them for real-world clinical practice.

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, and daily functioning. The most common type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, is estimated to affect more than 6 million people in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that figure is projected to more than double by 2060.

Dr. Laura Cunningham, an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Counselor Education and one of the CSI Alpha Omicron chapter faculty advisors, attended the event. She noted, "I learned so much in terms of hands-on care of those with dementia, from color theory, three brains and approach dynamics."

King noted participants' ability to connect classroom learning with clinical application. “One of the things that stood out most was how curious and reflective the students were,” King said. “They weren’t just absorbing the information - they were thinking critically about how to apply it in real clinical settings, which is exactly what we hope to see in experiences like this.”

Freitas shared that several students followed up after the training, seeking additional learning opportunities and ways to stay engaged in dementia care. “I always love seeing eager students,” he said, “especially because the older adult population needs the services of these future professionals so much.”

The event underscores the department’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic preparation and clinical application while equipping students, faculty, and alumni with the skills and confidence to serve diverse populations across the lifespan. Opportunities like this not only enhance clinical competence but also reinforce the importance of compassionate, informed care for older adults and their families. As the demand for dementia-informed services continues to grow, experiences like this position the Stetson counseling community to meet that need with both expertise and empathy.

Learn more about the National Institute for Dementia Education here.