Class Details

This class equips financial professionals with essential skills to guide clients through market uncertainty and emotional distress. 

Participants explore the impact of market volatility on investor psychology, learn strategies for fostering constructive client conversations, and develop techniques to reinforce long-term financial planning. 

The class emphasizes the importance of investor identity, emotional regulation, and effective counseling principles, including active listening, empathy, and strategic communication. 

Through real-world examples and behavioral finance insights, advisors learn to help clients manage fear-based decision-making and avoid common pitfalls. 

By the end of the course, professionals are better prepared to provide reassurance, stabilize client confidence, and navigate the challenges of turbulent financial environments. 

The class is divided into five sections:

  1.  Instructions
  2.  52-minute video presentation by Dr. Murtha
  3.  Engagement Exercise
  4.  Scored assessment
  5.  Satisfaction survey 

You must complete all five sections of the class and score 70% or higher to earn a class completion certificate. 

The scored assessment asks one question about each of the following key points: 

Understanding the Current Market Environment. The market's volatility is impacting investor confidence significantly

Recognizing the Psychological Impact of Market Declines. Emotional reactions to losses can lead to irrational investment decisions

Developing a Strong Investor Identity. Clients who understand their financial goals resist market panic better.

Mastering the Seven Essential Counseling Skills. Genuineness, empathy, and active listening are key to client trust

Applying the Four Principles for Positive Change. Caring, understanding, respect, and empathy foster better decision-making.

Conducting Constructive Conversations with Anxious Clients. Listen, validate emotions, and guide clients toward rational thinking

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Client Communication. Don't dismiss concerns, rush solutions, or let politics dominate

Refocusing Clients on Long-Term Planning. Emotional reactions create short-term mistakes that harm future gains.

Helping Clients Identify and Manage Fear-Based Thinking. Fear distorts perceptions, leading to costly investment decisions.

Providing Reassurance and Stability in Uncertain Markets. Advisors must model calm, confidence, and proactive support.

Who Should Attend:
CFPs, EAs, CFAs, CPA financial planners, CPA/PFSs, CIMAs, CLUs, ChFCs, CFPs and other professionals who seek a deeper understanding of financial counseling and psychological aspects of giving financial planning advice. 

Cost:
Free to Advisors4Advisors members ($60/Qtr.)

Prerequisites: None
Advanced Preparation: None
Course Level: Update
Course Delivery Method: On-demand webinar replay
Field of study: Communications
Advisors4Advisors is approved as an education provider by:

  • CFP Board, which regulates CE for Certified Financial Planners.  
  • North American Securities Administrators Association. NASAA does not endorse any particular provider of CE courses. The content of the course and any views expressed are those of the instructor and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASAA or any of its member jurisdictions. The class was submitted for approval NASAA.  
  • National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a Quality Assurance Service (QAS) Self-Study Provider, enabling CPA CPE credit live and on-demand webinars. State boards of accountancy retain final authority on course acceptance. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors at www.nasbaregistry.org.  
  • Investments & Wealth Institute, enabling credit for CFP®, CIMA®, and CPWA® professionals. 

For information on administrative policies, such as refunds, cancellations and complaints, email [email protected].

Class curriculum

    1. Instructions

    1. Video

    1. Review

    1. Assessment

    1. Feedback

About this course

  • $39.99
  • 5 lessons
  • 1 hour of video content

Instructor(s)

Frank Murtha

Frank Murtha, who holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, has taught at The City University of New York, Penn State, and New York University. In 2001, Dr. Murtha co-founded MarketPsych Inc., a statistically valid assessment for identifying investor personality traits, and he consults to institutional investors on macro- and micro-behavioral economics. In early 2021, he co-founded Financial Counseling Institute.