Check out this free online course to better understand how to manage your nervous system when interpreting. It is the most recent offering in Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters, a self-directed track from the CATIE Center’s Dive In project.
Nervous System Management for Interpreters
Description
This two-hour course is focused on simple, effective ways interpreters can support and regulate their nervous system before, during, and after assignments. Developed by LaShawnda Lowe, this session will introduce practical tools and awareness strategies to help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being.
Learning Objectives
Successful participants will be able to:
- Describe what happens when the autonomic nervous system is activated.
- Practice at least 3 techniques for managing stress during an interpreting assignment.
- Explain the concepts of homeostasis and dysregulation and how they apply to sign language interpreters
- Identify at least 4 states of the nervous system under stress
The expected time commitment for this course is approximately 2 hours of engaging with the material and doing activities..
A Note on CEUs
Because our grant is focused on novice interpreters working toward certification, CEUs are not offered by the CATIE Center. The CATIE Center has an agreement with the Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
For $40 (a cost set by MRID), you can receive ACET or CMP CEUs for this course. At the end of the course, you will have access to a form to apply for CEUs and receive a link for making the payment. So, you don’t have to commit to making a payment until you know that you will be able to complete the requirements. (MRID members receive a free processing of a Stepping Stones workshop, a PINRA, or an Independent Study each year – so if you are an MRID member, you can get this cost waived.) For more information on the CEU process, contact pdc@mrid.org.
Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf is an approved RID Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) sponsor for continuing education activities. This professional studies program is offered for up to .2 CEUs at the little/none content knowledge level.
The CATIE Center promotes a mutually respectful learning environment free of bias. See St. Catherine University’s non-discrimination policy for more details.
Registration will be open from November 1-December 7, 2025.
The registration form will provide you a link to enroll in a free Canvas course. It will also ask for optional demographic information which will be helpful for the CATIE Center in evaluating the effectiveness of these resources for supporting the diversity of novice interpreters who are entering the interpreting field.
About Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters
This course is part of a series developed by the Dive In project of the CATIE Center at St. Catherine University. Each module will have a facilitator from the CATIE Center who monitors a Support Forum. The activities are designed so that you can do them asynchronously. Though possible to do independently, we encourage you to either join as a group and work through the material together – or use the introduction forum to seek out others in the course who might work with you in the discussions. Collaborative learning can be a really important tool in professional development.
