Riding Out the Storm:
Managing Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
12:30 - 1:30 CDT (UTC-5:00) via Zoom
Presenter: Matthew Zakreski, Psy.D.
Gifted and twice-exceptional individuals are marked by their intensity, particularly their emotional intensity. These emotional outbursts can be very disruptive and dysregulating to the students, their peers, parents, teachers, and community supports. This session will focus on the psychology and neuroscience behind emotional intensity and give concrete, accessible techniques that will allow for the development of self-regulation skills.
Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify and connect the neurological aspects of emotion and behavior.
- Participants will be able to implement communicative, emotional, and interactive aspects of coregulation and how to set expectations around that intervention.
- Participants will be able to workshop strategies to manage emotions in different settings, including peer conflict, disappointment, and anger management.
One (1) hour CEU will be available for educators from Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). One (1) CEU will be available from the MN Board of Psychology - Log #202503.355. CEU documentation will be sent directly to participants after the event.
Matthew “Dr. Matt” Zakreski, PsyD is a high energy, creative clinical psychologist and professional speaker who utilizes an eclectic approach to meet the specific needs of his neurodivergent clients. He is proud to serve the Gifted community as a consultant, a professor, an author, and a researcher. He has spoken hundreds of times all over the world about supporting neurodivergent kids. Dr. Zakreski is a member of Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children (NJAGC), and Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). Dr. Zakreski graduated from Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology (IGCP) in 2016. He is the co-founder of The Neurodiversity Collective: https://www.theneurodiversitycollective.com/ and has a new book, Neurodiversity Playbook. Find Dr. Matt on Facebook.
When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 12:30-1:30pm CDT, Online via Zoom
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants the day before the event.
Who: Educators, GT Coordinators, Gifted Professionals.
Cost: $25
Video Recording will be available after the event.
Questions? Email info@mcgt.net
The Minnesota Council for the Gifted and Talented (MCGT) is a state-wide non-profit support and advocacy organization of parents, educators, and other professionals who live or work with gifted children and are interested in their education and well-being.
