The Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School provides continuing education and professional development programming that meets the needs and requirements of professionals in the fields of psychology and related behavioral and social sciences. Core values of diversity, innovation, community, and service ground each program. Skilled professionals and experienced scholar-practitioners lead our work in support of the ongoing advancement of psychology locally, nationally, and internationally.

If you are an expert in your field interested in presenting on behalf of the Office of Continuing Education, please email us at [email protected] and we can discuss the requirements needed for presentations and provide you with our continuing education application.

Office of Continuing Education at The Chicago School Courses Available for Homestudy

Child Abuse and Ethics in Reporting

Child abuse reporting is a hard process and continues to be a challenge for clinicians, and many feel confused, guilty, or unsure on when to report. In the meantime, the statistics on child abuse continue to be alarming in USA and in the world. An estimated one in four U.S. children experience abuse or neglect. And we still have underreporting. Understanding what child abuse is and how/when to report considering the law and ethics of your state as well as the main recommendations by experts on the field can help us prevent it. Clinicians can also provide better treatment to the children and families in the community.

This workshop will provide introductory ethical and legal considerations around child abuse when doing a report. We will also focus on providing case samples of difficult reporting situations, consultation and supervision when dealing with difficult cases.

DBT 101

This introductory session will consist of a “DBT 101” where information about what DBT is, the structure of the treatment, who Dr. Marsha Linehan is and how she created this theory, and what types of presentations and issues are treated with DBT will all be presented.

Mother Matters: Clinical Practice with BIPOC Mothers

In America, Black and Indigenous Persons of Color (BIPOC) and women are often forgotten and unseen. A history of oppression through slavery, misogyny and social systems have been well-documented since 1619. These systems and treatment of Black and BIPOC women and mothers challenge humanity and vitality, thus making life experiences like childbirth difficult.

Presently, Black women are (3) times as likely to die during childbirth when compared to White women. Pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiences are among the most pivotal life experiences for new mothers. The irony and the tragedy is that Black and BIPOC new mothers often receive less support from traditional systems (e.g. occupational, financial, healthcare, family) exactly when they need it the most. This course is designed to discuss the unseen and neglected needs. This course is also designed to activate change and discuss measurable and tangible ways to improve clinical care and practice.

The Dog and Pony Show: Applications of Behavior Analysis to Domestic Animals

Behavior analysis is a highly adaptable science, helping us understand and improve human behavior as well as nonhuman animal behavior. In this presentation, I will discuss our translational and applied research with dogs and horses. Despite our long-standing relationship with dogs, few studies had investigated dogs’ preferences for different types of human interaction or what stimuli can function as reinforcers. Our research has investigated which human interactions dogs prefer, such as petting, vocal praise, and food delivery. Understanding their preferences, and the conditions which alter those preferences allow us to improve our interactions with them. Because we are interested in creating desirable behavior change in animals, we have also investigated effective reinforcers for dogs and horses, as well as the conditions under which those consequences might or might not function as reinforcers. In both species, we find food is a highly effective reinforcer. This presentation will dive into our studies on these topics, as well as pointing the audience to other useful research that has emerged in this domain. From these translational studies, we will move into applications of this knowledge. Recently, we have investigated the utility and feasibility of having average citizens train their dogs to detect invasive agricultural pests (spotted lanternfly) as a flexible, and ubiquitous detection tool. Spotted lanternflies are an emerging agricultural threat; however, our research and others has demonstrated dogs’ ability to detect their egg masses. Currently, we have citizen science teams training for deployment tests; their overall success points to the usefulness of this approach. On the horse front, we have investigated using remote feeders to change pasture usage in horses, to prevent overgrazing without having to erect physical fences. In sum, in this talk I will highlight the range of issues in the applied animal field for which our science is applicable, focusing on our own translational and applied research with dogs and horses. At the same time, the audience will learn about current issues in the dog and horse behavior world that can be addressed through behavior analysis. Finally, I will wrap up with considerations for ethically entering the applied animal field.

A conceptual map for understanding health-related anxieties in pediatric populations in the post-pandemic era

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, prevalence rates of psychiatric diagnoses among children and adolescents are rising. Multiple variables including individual psychological characteristics, pandemic-related stressors and systemic factors conspire to catalyze anxiety spectrum disorders. Several dispositional vulnerabilities such as intolerance of anxiety and anxiety sensitivity are especially important to identify and mitigate because they contribute to catastrophizing. This predisposed style of ideation toward thinking the worst, contributes to health-related anxieties in children and Accordingly, practitioners need to carefully assess these characteristics using state-of- the science measures such as self-report instruments (e.g. Intolerance of Uncertainty in Children, SCARED, the Illness Attitude Scale), parental measures (e.g., the parent version of the Illness Worry Scale, the Protect Subscale of the Adult Responses to Children’s Symptoms scale), and clinician measures (e.g., Rating Scale of Hypochondriacal Beliefs scale, Heightened Illness Concern Servility Scale).

This presentation teaches practitioners how to construct a conceptual map for understanding and mitigating health-related anxieties in the post-pandemic era. Specifically, participants will learn about the health related anxieties in children and adolescents have experienced since the Covid-19 pandemic and the tools they can use to aid in treating health-related anxieties.

Spirituality as a Key Resilience Factor for Military Families Transitioning Overseas

Resilience in military families has been studied for decades. A twelve-year review (ending in 2021) of clinical work with military families identified spirituality, support networks, resourcefulness, prior preparation efforts, flexibility, and core family relationships as key resilience factors for military families. Although these factors are all important, one factor is being seen more than others. A more recent review (years 2022 through 2023) indicates that spirituality is the key resilience factor for a successful overseas transition. The history and definition of resilience in the military, key resilience factors, spirituality as the primary resilience factor, and implementation of spirituality practices across the military culture are the key areas explored in this presentation. Applications related to other cultures are also made.

This program will review the history of resiliency in the military and identify the key factors in overseas relocation. Participants will learn about the role of spirituality as a resilience factor and methods of application in the counseling session when working with military families transition overseas or when working with clients of other cultures.

Freeze Frame: The Use of Adlerian Play Therapy to Encourage Holistic Healing in Children

In a world where mental health needs are on the rise and access to supportive mental healthcare has been in steady deficit to meet this need, there is a movement amongst the helping professional community to evaluate the efficacy of time old approaches functioning within the sick model of medicine and mental health wellness. As of late, there is a healthy momentum towards the installation of integrated approaches when treating children in effort to treat them holistically instead of symptomatic disordered elements of their system. Join child psychotherapist Brittany McBryde Williams a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, as she explores Terry Kottman’s integrated model built on the foundations of Alfred Adler’s, Individual psychology joined with the heavy hitter of child work, Play therapy. Explore the underpinnings of this evidenced based practice and how this is translated into the systematic model of play therapy using phase work.

Upon completion of this presentation, attendees should be able to highlight the historical foundations of both Adlerian theory as well as that of Kottman’s integrated model. An additional aim is to take a closer look at how integrated models of holistic care should be viewing a child and/or their family as a whole system; which starkly contrasts with the view of childhood mental health disorders looking through the lens of the managed care sick model. The importance of this focal point demonstrates a drastic need for a paradigm shift amongst not only child mental health and medical providers but also those in positions who are informing policy at a systemic level for things like managed care requirements, licensing board candidacy requirements and qualifications, continuing education limitations, and so many more.

Understanding Life Backward but Living It Forward: Analyzing to Understand but Envisioning Possibilities to Incentivize Action

Martha Stark, MD, will be presenting an action-based, solution-focused, future-oriented psychodynamic model that conceives of the mind as holding infinite potential and of memory as dynamic and continuously updating itself on the basis of new experience (whether real or simply envisioned). A constructivist perspective at heart, this freshly minted Model 5 of her Psychodynamic Synergy Paradigm is a quantum-neuroscientific approach to healing “analysis paralysis — when “understanding alone is simply not enough.”

Model 5 – an innovative and exciting approach to effecting deep, enduring, characterological change – is informed by the groundbreaking neuroscientific discovery that when implicitly held traumatic memories are reactivated in an embodied fashion, the network of neural synapses encoding these procedurally organized memories will become deconsolidated for a time-limited period. This unlocking will create an opportunity for both rewiring the brain and reprogramming the mind by way of therapeutic memory reconsolidation.

Indeed, over the course of the past two decades, a dedicated group of cognitive neuroscientists, ever intent upon ferreting out the neural mechanisms underlying the dynamic nature of memory, have been using advanced neuroimaging techniques to deepen their understanding of the brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity, that is, the brain’s innate capacity continuously and adaptively to reorganize itself in response to ongoing environmental stimulation – but only if certain conditions are met.

More specifically, repeated and embodied juxtaposition of old bad learned expectations with new good envisioned possibilities will create decisive – and potentially transformational – mismatch experiences. If these mismatch experiences are provided often enough and forcefully enough within the critical time frame of four to six hours, then the ongoing violations of conditioned expectation will eventually trigger energetic decoupling of the client’s toxic past from her lived present and therapeutic reconsolidation of the client’s narratives from outdated and disempowering to updated and more empowering – fueling quantum advancement of the client from entrenched inaction to intentioned action and actualization of potential.

Capitalizing upon the brain’s remarkable neuroplasticity, Martha’s quantum-neuroscientific Model 5 features co-created (by therapist and client) quantum disentanglement statements designed to release the client from her past as she envisions new possibilities for her future, takes ownership of her need therefore to change how she positions herself in her life, and then commits to acting in alignment with that imperative going forward.

Ann Landers’s simple but profound advice is very much to the point here, “Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies.”

Recognizing the Role of Sex in Optimizing Health

Healthcare providers, including those focused on metal health, receive little if any training on human sexuality. Sex is addressed it is in terms of dysfunction and diagnosis, and only when clients present specific concerns and symptoms. Clinicians are not prepared to assess sexual functioning holistically, and we do not consider its role in improving health.

Using a positive sexuality perspective this presentation will move beyond a deficit model to explore the role sex may play in optimizing mental and physical health. Building on a strength-based approach to assessment, case examples will demonstrate how sex may be addressed clinically.

Ethical Dilemmas: Working with Professionals Following Different Codes

We are trained in the ethical codes applicable to our own degree and licensure. However, we often work with professionals licensed in other fields and at times may be supervised by those with different licensures.

This presentation will focus on the different codes of ethics for mental health professionals. We will compare and contrast key parts of these licensed professional’s codes to deepen our consideration of ethical decision making.

Incorporating Social Justice and Multiculturalism into the Online Classroom

Multiculturalism and social justice are words that have become intertwined in education, but what do those words mean and how do educators incorporate these into the online classroom? Multiculturalism can be defined as “The presence of, or the support for the presence of, several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society” (Dictionary, n. d.), focusing on the diversity of students and educators while striving for the inclusion and respect of each individual considering the interconnectedness of the various identities held by each person, including culture, gender, spirituality, orientation, ethnicity, race, age, ableness, socioeconomic and educational status, and the like. Goodman et al. (2004, p. 795) proposed a definition for social justice to be “The scholarship and professional action designed to change societal values, structures, policies, and practices, such that disadvantaged or marginalized groups gain increased access to these tools of self-determination”. This is embodied by awareness of individual histories and experiences, considering differences in “in developmental status, learning styles, and varying frames of reference for interpretation and application of concepts and skills being learned” (Ramsey et al., 2003, p. 153).

But how does the online educator incorporate these into their courses, regardless of topic? Multiculturalism can be addressed using inclusive language and materials that represent multiple culture and identities as well as providing multiple teaching and assessment modalities that accommodate and reflect various learning styles, abilities, age, and worldviews. Instructors can accomplish this through the incorporation of regular discussions which illicit student feedback and encourage the open sharing of viewpoints and experiences. Social justice issues can be assessed by exploring the societal values, structures, policies and practices that impact individuals within each subject topic of a course openly and freely. Educators can enhance this understanding and appreciation of social justice by supporting student autonomy and valuing the perceptions and experiences of each member of the classroom, supporting each to share their views free from judgement of others. Providing each student with the same opportunities and a “level playing field” upon which to learn reinforces social justice as a fundamental aspect and consideration of each interaction we have in the classroom.

Acknowledging that faculty and students each come from diverse cultures and backgrounds is essential for supporting student success in the classroom. Incorporating materials, creating assignments, using language, and creating a learning environment which both supports and reflects this diversity is imperative. This inclusion and respect create both a sense of community and encourages students to address personal biases and explore other’s viewpoints without fear of retaliation or judgement.

A healthy classroom will consider and incorporate inclusion, advocacy, and collaboration while encouraging autonomy and reveling in cultural differences. Acknowledging differences among members of a classroom allows for the celebration of these unique experiences and perceptions while creating an environment that advocates for self-expression and efficacy. Such a learning environment allows the “complexity of identity” (Mikolon & Hatfield, 2022, p. 56) to be embraces and each member to feel understood and accepted for who they are and what they believe, resulting in an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and perceptions and fosters successful learning.

This presentation aims to assist learners in developing an understanding and appreciation of both multiculturalism and social justice considerations in the online classroom while learning to assess and incorporate aspects of each into their daily interactions with students. Awareness of these topics, assessing their presence in the current curriculum regardless of topic, and actively creating a learning environment in which both are present, respected, and incorporated enhances student success. This presentation will assist learners in accomplishing each of these and role model these considerations for future counselor educators in their current classes.

DEIB and Multicultural Consideration in Mental and Physical Health​ - Panel Discussion

The majority of U.S adults claim that there are not enough mental health care providers who are trained to address issues specific to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status and almost a quarter of adults either do not seek mental health care or struggle to get care due to cultural barriers (Mental Health First Aid USA, 2022). As such, culturally responsive mental health care is a topic all mental health teams should be concerned with. This discussion will focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging considerations across the health care team.

Panelists will present methods of fostering trusts among diverse community groups and recommendations for bridging disparities. This discussion will also present methods of recognizing and addressing personal bias and ways organizations can move from being culturally competent to being cultural partners. Audience members will then have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelist regarding DEIB considerations.

The Role of Technology as a Participant in the Health Care Team - Panel Discussion

The lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have changed how people access health care, including mental health. Technology has allowed for greater reach of care and put a focus on telehealth policy and reform. The American Psychological Association (2023) reports that trends with artificial intelligence (AI), digital inclusion, and remote monitoring will continue to grow.

This panel discussion evaluates the trends, challenges, and solutions that are a part of technology integration into the health care team. Panelists will discuss their experiences with current trends and outlooks as well as present the challenges mental health providers face when using technology. In the second half of this session, panelist will answer pre-submitted questions from attendees regarding the use of technology in various mental health fields.

An Integrated Approach to Supporting Refugee Children

Newcomer refugee students arriving in U.S. schools often face significant trauma-related challenges, including high rates of violence exposure and limited schooling. Such trauma can detrimentally impact academic progress, motivation, and school completion. To address these challenges, approaches rooted in ecological systems theory, constructivism, and sociocultural theory may be most effective.

This session will address the major issues that impact refugee children and their families while navigating the school system. Presenters will review the research and describe strategies for supporting the inclusion, academic progress, and social-emotional behaviors of refugee children. This presentation will focus on strategies for integrated support of refugee children.

A Journey of Mental Health: Study Abroad

What occurs before, during and after the journey of a student studying abroad can have a significant impact on mental health. Planning for this journey can include many partners in exploring best options for a successful experience abroad, including family, study abroad providers, mental health professionals, insurance providers and regional specialists.

When considering factors which can greatly impact access and support to the mental health and wellbeing of U.S. college students studying abroad, the most successful student is the one that is prepared, and considers options to support mental health long before they travel abroad. This session will provide a practical discussion on how integrating support systems creates a healthy and positive study abroad experience.

Cultural Awareness through Self-Awareness: Research Validation and Practical Exercises

Cultural awareness is a crucial component for workers in the helping field and should be exercised in all areas of the helping field. Being culturally aware is a lifelong active process that is ever evolving. This presentation highlights the role that self-awareness plays in cultural awareness.


During this presentation, research related to cultural awareness is explored. Also, self-awareness as a key factor to achieving cultural awareness is highlighted. Finally, practical exercise applications are discussed and practiced.

The Intersectionality of Health, Race, and Mental Health in America

The program will provide information about health outcomes in America and how those intersect with race and mental health. Physical health and mental health correlate with one another; the presentation aims to present how those correlations are significant for vulnerable populations. Audience members will understand how issues such as race, gender, income among other things impact individuals and ultimately their wellbeing and happiness.

The presentation will cover the importance of being mindful of race and health in order to improve health outcomes, especially with vulnerable population in America. The presentation will inform readers about health disparities and how professionals can address those both at a micro and macro level. As the demographics of the U.S. continue to change it is important for mental health professionals to not just understand those changes, but also being able and willing to adapt in order to address the mental health concerns of a changing demographic.

Wellness Essentials for Successful Leaders

Businesses, government agencies, non-profit, and educational organizations need leaders who can effectively navigate complex, changing situations, and get the job done. Leadership is a lifelong journey that starts with the self, building on strengths, and intentionally utilizing them to lead and develop others. Leaders who engage in certain practices create an environment where employees feel motivated and inspired to bring their best to work. Leaders, regardless of position, are essential for all lines of business in an organization, especially since leadership and management go hand in hand. Leadership requires the development and deliberate practice of a series of skills and strategies that focus on self-development, as well as the development of others, both with a focus on organizational success. Unleashing the leadership potential of team members is as important as developing select individuals for leadership positions. 

In this webinar, participants will learn strategies that enable them to enlist the cooperation of others, and facilitate the expression of their strongest skills and abilities to achieve organizational success. Main topics covered include: The Changing Landscape of Business and Leadership, The Essential Attributes of Leadership, The Self as the Foundation of Successful Leadership, and Leadership Practices in Motion.

Tapping Together: Group EMDR as a Healing Modality

Reprocessing (EMDR) is a therapeutic modality that involves a trained clinician guiding a group of participants through a structured process of trauma processing and healing. Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Group Traumatic Event Processing (G-TEP) are empirically supported treatments for trauma (Tsouvelas et al., 2019). This presentation will provide an overview of how EMDR can be adapted for groups, particularly following crises and disasters in communities. An optional, experiential hands-on EMDR activity for participants will be included.

In this session, we will explore the sequela of trauma with a specific focus on traumatic events experienced by groups. The audience will learn the research related to these approaches, who EMDR is appropriate for, and ways to find an EMDR clinician. During the session, participants will learn the basics of Group EMDR protocols and engage online or in-person bilateral stimulation techniques aimed to help reduce distress and reprocess daily annoyances to traumatic memories, fostering emotional healing and resilience. Finally, participants will be invited to engage in an experiential G-TEP activity.

Creative and Expressive Interventions to Promote Wellness and Encourage Resilience during the Supervision Process

This program will explore the use of creative/expressive interventions during the supervision process to foster wellness and resiliency. Participants will gain knowledge in the developmental level of supervisees and the importance of integrating wellness through the use of creative/expressive interventions.

The supervision process is integral to the growth and development of counselors and ensuring our supervisees maintain mental health wellness throughout this process is imperative. Participants will have the opportunity to be learn how to integrate specific expressive/creative interventions into the supervision process.

Adult Autism Assessment for Master's Level Therapists

According to the CDC (2022), more than 5 million adults in the United States lives with undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Assessment and diagnosis of adult ASD falls within the scope of practice for Master’s level therapists. With proper training, mental health professionals can help Autistic adults recognize their strengths and challenges. Well-informed, thoughtful diagnosis can be achieved through a series of thorough interviews, including taking a family history; reviewing sensory issues, social difficulties and language development; assessment of cognitive functioning; and using self-report questionnaires.

This session will discuss the various diagnosis tools clinicians can use along with the various co-occurring and differential diagnoses associated with ASD in adults. Participants will learn what to look for when making an ASD diagnosis and participants in collaborative case studies to apply discussed topics.. Additionally, this session will discuss the ethical challenges in reporting of diagnosis and the proper reporting methods to state registries.

Assessment of Adult ADHD for Master's Level Therapists​

Mental health professionals who are non-psychologists may hesitate to identify ADHD in clients due to their inability to conduct psychometric testing. However, using self-report tests and taking a careful history, Masters-degree therapists can diagnose and support adult ADHD clients.

As cited in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, ADHD diagnoses among adults are growing four times faster than those of children in the U.S. ADHD symptoms persist into adulthood for as many as 60 percent of patients diagnosed while adolescents. Adults with ADHD often face challenges with organizing and prioritizing tasks, managing their time and making decisions. Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment can ameliorate these problems and allow those experiencing ADHD to optimize their lives. Vocational, medical and social improvement all begin with correct diagnosis and Master’s level therapists are qualified to do these assessments. In this training you will learn to use assessment tools and gather the relevant the elements of a client history.

Introduction to Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias​

This course provides an overview of the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other common dementias, strategies for their management and care, and effective communication methods for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Participants will gain an understanding of common signs and symptoms of dementia, and diagnostic criteria used in the evaluation process. A review of communication challenges faced by individuals with dementia will be offered. Additionally, this course provides insights into the management and care planning for individuals with dementia. Topics such as behavioral management techniques, pharmacological interventions, and community resources will be covered, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to provide support for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

Basics of DSM-5-TR: Overview and Understanding​

The DSM-5-TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This training will provide clinicians with the latest information and tools they need to accurately diagnose and treat mental health disorders. The workshop will cover the newest changes and revisions made to the manual, including new disorders, changes to existing disorder criteria, and an overview of diagnostic key terms.

In addition, the training will offer practical guidance on how to implement the changes in clinical practice, including how to use the manual effectively and efficiently, and how to communicate diagnostic results to patients and other healthcare providers. Overall, the training will help clinicians stay up-to-date and provide the best possible care to their clients and their families.

DSM-5-TR: Substance Use & Addictive Disorder​

The DSM-5-TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This workshop will present an overview of the diagnostic criteria for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders in the DSM-5 TR with a review of the changes made in the DSM-5-TR. In addition, this category will be placed within a historical, social and cultural context. Finally, there will be a brief overview of some current research on substance use disorders. 

DSM-5-TR: Trauma

The DSM-5-TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

In this training, you will learn about the overview on the main trauma related diagnosis for the DSM-5-TR as well as the issues regarding the new controversial diagnosis for Prolonged Grief Disorder. We will emphasize the importance of learning not to over diagnosing a client and how to discern the criteria of the DSM with functional impairment. We will also discuss the ICD-10-CM codes for suicidal behavior and non-suicidal self-injury.

DSM-5-TR: Eating & Feeding Disorders

The DSM-5-TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

All DSM-5-TR eating disorder diagnoses will be reviewed, in addition to providing commentary as to how to assess the eating disorder diagnostic criteria. Several changes from the DSM-5 to the DSM-5-TR will be highlighted. Clinical examples will be provided to compare and contrast the different eating disorders. The diagnostic validity of the eating disorders section of the DSM-5-TR also will be discussed, particularly issues of diagnostic cross-over and diagnostic stability. Lastly, some clinical and research information in the areas of epidemiology and comorbidity will be infused throughout the presentation in order to put the diagnostic information into context.

DSM-5-TR: Anxiety, Depressive, and Bipolar and Related Disorders

The DSM-5-TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This session will review Mood Disorders in DSM-5-TR including revisions and additions to diagnoses/diagnostic criteria. Descriptions of diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, prognosis and comorbid disorders will be discussed in detail.

DSM-5-TR: Personality Disorders

The DSM5TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This session will review the Personality Disorders diagnoses in the DSM-5-TR. Descriptions of diagnostic criteria will be reviewed. Differential diagnoses and comorbid disorders will be discussed in detail. 

DSM-5-TR: Sex & Gender

The DSM5TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

Since its inception in 1952 the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has reflected sociopolitical positions while simultaneously shaping them. No topic has gone through more revisions, or been more controversial, than sexuality. The diagnosis of sexual orientations, behaviors and genders continue to have significant impacts on marginalized communities and the rights they are afforded and denied. This seminar will trace the evolution of these diagnoses, examine what the DSM current does and does not address and muse on future directions the manual may take. 

DSM-5-TR: Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

The DSM5TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This two-hour training will provide a summary of changes made to the DSM-5 / DSM-5-TR related to Schizophrenia Spectrum and Psychotic disorders. This discussion will include the evolution of our diagnostic models through recent decades and further explore the emerging importance of recognizing trauma exposure in this spectrum of disorders. Finally, a brief discussion of implications for treatment will be provided.

DSM-5-TR: Neurodivergent & Neurocognitive Disorders

The DSM5TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

During this 2-hour presentation, Dr. Wyner presents the current state of Neurodivergent and Neurocognitive Disorder diagnoses, as outlined in the DSM-5-TR, from a neurodiversity-affirming lens. Combining our best understanding of systemic theory with the most current research into neurodiversity, this presentation aims to depathologize neurodiversity, allowing clinicians to both diagnose and support their clients more accurately and comprehensively.

DSM-5-TR: DEIB

The DSM5TR serves as the federal government’s official manual for the diagnosing of mental disorders. The literature presented with the text provides practicing clinicians with research, current codes, and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders and other conditions. This program will provide a review of the chapters, cover changes from the DSM to the DSM-TR, and offer a refresher for the practicing clinician. 

This DSM-5-TR: DEIB training takes a crucial look at the diverse backgrounds of clients and how it affects their mental health during the diagnostic process. The material covered will examine and address the intersection between ethical standards and systemic biases, microaggressions, and discrimination. The second part of this training will equip mental health professionals with the necessary skills to improve their communication skills, build cultural competence, and create a safe and inclusive environment for their clients. 

Introduction to Sex Therapy: Assessment, Referrals, and Best Practices​

This 3.0 hour workshop is intended for practicing psychotherapists who may encounter sexological issues in their practice. This presentation will present the core knowledge and competences of sex therapists allowing psychotherapists to discern when clients will benefit from a referral and present the scope of practice of other providers who can support clients through sexological issues (GYN, Urologists, PTs, Psych, etc). 

This  program will cover a variety of topics to assist participants in feeling a greater degree of comfort and competence when assessing clients for sexological issues that impact their presenting problem, or are expressed as satellite concerns. Specifically, this program will cover topics of assessment, trauma-informed responses, and the normalcy and diversity of sexual experiences. Additionally, the program will present sexological issues as an intersystem challenge and assist participants in identifying personal bias and the need for referral when necessary.  

Hypnosis Versus Psychedelic Therapy: An Ethical Quandary?

Advanced students of hypnosis and/or psychotherapy will learn to tease out any ethical dilemmas inherent in choosing between the use of hypnosis and/or psychedelic therapy in the clinical setting. Students will learn determining factors for decision making when offering options for therapeutic care that may include hypnosis and/or psychedelic adjuncts. They will learn why such protocols are indicated and/or contraindicated and how to determine appropriate usage of these protocols.

Video-taped and other interview material will be discussed interactively in the session, so that students can then draw conclusions about the ethical merits and detractors in clinical usage of hypnosis/psychedelic therapy. Assessments of states of consciousness will be shared and critiqued interactively as well to determine the most effective use of these instruments in clinical practice with clients/patients employing hypnosis/psychedelic-assisted therapies. Ethical and practical issues regarding the use of assessments in clinical practice will also be explored, including critiquing the choice of hypnosis versus psychedelic modalities based on research data gleaned from the use of assessments. 

Understanding the Brain-Gut Connection Through Hypnosis

This talk will cover the role of clinical hypnosis in the treatment of disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) or functional gastrointestinal disorders. We will discuss the basics regarding what clinical hypnosis is and how it works and its application to treating DGBIs such as IBS and functional abdominal pain. Finally, we will review the relevant research.

From Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Responsive: Concretizing Trauma-Informed Care with Clinical Skills of Co-Regulation

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is not optional. TIC care is built on awareness of how past trauma can impact clients in the present and active measures to prevent and mitigate traumatic stress reactions related to current life circumstances. TIC is also particularly important for clients from diverse and marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by trauma and are less likely to receive treatment. But being informed about and aware of the role of trauma does not give providers the clinical skills and tools to effectively respond to their clients who are impacted by trauma. From a biopsychosocial and somatic psychology framework, trauma-responsive clinical skills include nervous system psychoeducation that empowers clients, the ability to establish therapeutic safety through co-regulation and attunement, and the clinician’s acknowledgement of own barriers to therapeutic safety.

This presentation will explain and concretize how principles of trauma-informed care translate into clinicians’ interactions with clients through a focus on nervous system co-regulation. Clinicians must develop awareness of how their personal biases manifest on a nervous system level. Clinicians are widely trained to develop cognitive awareness of their biases and countertransference reactions, but mental awareness is not enough if the reactions cause dysregulation in the provider’s nervous system that interferes with their ability to attune to the client. Through identification of the nervous system aspects of our bias reactions as providers, we can target our self-regulation and ensure the continued therapeutic safety that makes our care trauma-responsive.

From Trauma-Informed to Trauma-Responsive: Concretizing Trauma-Informed Care with Clinical Skills of Co-Regulation -- Part II

Findings from psychological, biomedical, and social sciences make it clear that we cannot ignore the role of the body and nervous system in trauma treatment (Porges, 2022; Schore, 2021). Somatic psychology and body-based interventions have developed from neuroscience advances showing that subcortical brain levels are implicated in trauma reactions making it necessary to apply bottom-up interventions that target the psychophysiological reactions to trauma (Rosendahl et al., 2021). These insights have informed the bottom-up approaches that not only include but center nervous system coregulation dynamics in psychotherapy. Bottom-up approaches focus on subcortical brain level processing and the nervous system patterns and body states related to it (Kuhfuß et al., 2021).

The therapeutic relationship becomes effective only when safety is established through coregulation (Geller & Porges, 2014; Porges, 2022). Through therapeutic presence, the therapist communicates safety by expressing nonverbal signals of social engagement and thereby down-regulates the nervous systems of both therapist and client. The autonomic nervous system functions from ongoing safety appraisal that determines whether it is safe for the person to engage socially (Porges, 2022). Therapeutic coregulation is therefore contingent upon the therapist’s ability to establish and communicate safety from an authentically regulated state. This presentation will offer an in-depth focus on techniques that enhance therapeutic safety through coregulation and attunement.

Health Communications: Methods for Meaningful Collaboration​

A four-part series on strategies for elevating collaborations between patient and practitioner

Operating from the premise that effective patient-provider communication is essential to the efficacy of health related interventions, this multi-part presentation will cover a variety of topics in health communication. The presentation can be divided into four parts, the first of which is entitled Narrative & Medicine. Here, practitioners will discuss strategies for honoring patient stories in practice, and for using those stories as a diagnostic tool. Drawing upon the principles of narrative medicine (Charon, 2001), practitioners will learn to see patients’ stories of illness not only as sties for harvesting relevant clinical information, but as opportunities for patient and provider to engage in mutual meaning making.

The second part of this four-part series covers the topic of organizational health communication. This part of the presentation focuses on how organizational dynamics and structures influence the provision of patient care. More specifically, here we will consider how institutional practices such as the transfer of care, institutional hierarchies, and interactions that occur “front stage” and “back stage” both facilitate and inhibit healthcare delivery.

The third part of this presentation examines the intersections of health and culture. In this section, we will consider how cultural beliefs impact health outcomes, especially from the perspective of historically marginalized communities and people of color. We will pay special attention to health beliefs outside of a Western context, and aim to identify ways to reconcile traditional and alternative healthcare approaches. Practitioners will learn specific strategies for adopting a culturally sensitive approach to healthcare, developing intercultural competency along the way, and ultimately eschewing ethnocentric beliefs, which may interfere with their practice.

Finally, the fourth part of the series attends to end-of-life matters. During this part of the series, lecture attendees will reflect on the ethics of healthcare. They will question previously held assumptions regarding the rights and responsibilities of both the patient and provider. They will become familiar with end-of-life cultural movements and laws surrounding physician-assisted suicide. They will also interrogate these matters in conjunction with concepts like medical paternalism, asymmetrical power dynamics between patient and provider, and patient autonomy.

“Life” by a thousand cuts: Surviving and pushing forward in your professional career

“My initial forays into ABA came in the 70s and while never facing overt hostility in our field, I have been targeted with many micro-aggressions over the many decades. I will elaborate on the topic of micro-aggressions and how historically marginalized groups have been affected by them. Finally, I will conclude with recommendations on how I have addressed both overt and covert hostility in the professional arena and how, after 50 years, I managed to survive in ABA. In this presentation, I will discuss experiences of overt hostility in the field.

will also discuss strategies to address such challenges and how those strategies foster a “culture of giving” in ABA.”

Integrating Mindfulness in the Learning Environment​

This webinar will provide information on how faculty and educators can use mindfulness practice to improve their mental health. Mindfulness is a quality that individuals can display while being fully aware of their immediate surroundings and noticing all things happening based on the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. However,this is challenging for some individuals to experience the “being in the moment” feeling. Nevertheless, mindfulness can be integrated into classroom discussions, communications, and assignments.

In this webinar, participants will learn about the origin of mindfulness practice, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques, and the success of this approach in hospitals, industrial organizations, business corporations, schools, and colleges. Additionally, participants will be able to assess their personal responses to stressors when working under pressure and learn new strategies to help them transform adverse reactions into positive ones, significantly impacting their well-being, resilience, and stress management while teaching or working.

A Behavior Analysts’ Journey into the World of Data Science in Law Enforcement: A Call to Action 

Take a journey with Dr. Sarah Casella-Jones as she explores her interaction with Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) and how her focus has changed throughout her career from Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) on an airport tarmac and autism therapists to working with law enforcement to increase their data entry for future law predictive analysis. Here’s a sample of her manuscript:  

 A limited number of research articles in behavioral sciences have examined the use of data science techniques amongst behavioral science literature, but more specifically with law enforcement and crime analysis. For this review, the author analyzed eight behavior science peer-reviewed journals for the presence and relevance of specific keywords to identify data science usage in law enforcement articles. Overall, the author found an underwhelming amount of data science techniques being used in the field in general and more specifically from a law enforcement lens. Finally, the author intends to discuss these results and suggest a greater attention be paid to increasing the use of data science applications in behavioral science research overall and in law enforcement research. 

Incorporating Knowledge and Techniques of Substance Abuse into Daily Practice

This workshop will review the competencies necessary for proper identification and treatment options for clients dealing with substance abuse concerns. Information will be provided on Substance Use Disorder concerns and symptoms. In addition, case examples will provide information about specific ways clients present themselves and the impact substance abuse can have on their mental health and daily life concerns. Finally, a discussion of appropriate skills will allow clinicians to walk away with the necessary tools and techniques for incorporating this knowledge into daily practice.

This presentation will use case examples to demonstrate specific tools and strategies and handouts for screening of substance abuse concerns. This presentation aims to encourage clinicians to develop competencies that enable them to better screen and intervene with substance use to ensure well-rounded care.

Culturally Responsive Frameworks: The Importance of Healing Centered Engagement

Though well-intended, implicit bias trainings and multicultural sensitivity workshops are not sufficient to affect meaningful change. Instead, the meaningful change necessary to achieve more culturally sensitive worldviews is more likely to be achieved through a combination of education, internal motivation, and experiential practices that address the experiences of pain, oppression, and discrimination felt by historically marginalized groups.

The following two-hour live webinar provides an introduction to healing centered engagement. Healing centered engagement is a socially just, strength based, and culturally responsive framework that seeks to enhance empathy and personal investment in change while centering culture as a central component in wellbeing. Consistent with this framework, the following training will outline culturally responsive strategies that promote collective healing, enhance ethnic identity, and cultivate resilience.

Lived Experiences of Professional Counselors with Gender Diverse Clients

The goal of this presentation is to educate, elucidate, and encourage growth in the helping profession regarding how we can positively transition to affirmative practices with gender diverse individuals.

The presenter will provide a history of professional helping with the gender diverse community and the trajectory for professional growth.  Additionally, this program will share the outcomes of new research highlighting the clinician’s voice regarding the need for training and education to prepare for counseling with gender diverse clients. 

Child Sexual Abuse: Warning Signs and Support

This workshop will provide ethical and legal updates to child abuse reporting law in CA (to encourage participants to check on state updates where they are) and will focus on exploring not just the types of child sexual abuse but how it can present itself. 

The workshop will also be covering grooming tactics, descriptions of the possible abusers, grooming types and how to prevent it in the community. Last, this workshop aims to decrease the guilt and shame that children can feel in those situations and how to help parents and caregivers to talk about it. Cases will be illustrated and explored as well.

Evaluating ADHD in Children and Adolescents​

ADHD is a foundational disorder that frequently occurs with coexisting conditions. There are a number of sleep, neurodevelopmental, sensory processing, fetal substance exposure, psychological, trauma, substance use conditions which can frequently occur with and worsen ADHD, or cause ADHD-like symptoms when true ADHD does not exist. Between 67 to 80% of clinic-referred children and 80% or more of adults with ADHD have at least one additional disorder, up to 50% have two or more other conditions (Pliska, 2015), and 20% have three or more coexisting disorders. When other disorders exist along with ADHD, these combinations can magnify and sometimes even mask ADHD to create more complex diagnostic presentations that make successful evaluations and treatment even more challenging. Because ADHD can “hide” these conditions, they may not be recognized as separate disorders and these other symptoms and conditions may be incorrectly assumed to be part of the ADHD.

Additionally, while clinical practice guidelines recommend that ADHD evaluations include the exploration of potential coexisting or other conditions, clinicians may not adequately screen for and identify the numerous additional conditions as part of their diagnostic process because they do not know about the disorders, or have not been informed to do so. Sometimes true ADHD does not exist, but because many conditions can cause ADHD-like presentations, a misdiagnosis of ADHD may result. Further, when coexisting conditions are not identified, comprehensive and effective treatment typically does not occur and families and clinicians may experience confusion with only partial progress, while symptoms and frustrations can persist without hope or relief.

To support clinicians in their diagnostic work, Dr. Carroccia will present his 10-Step ADHD Evaluation Approach for Children and Adolescents. This comprehensive model includes exploring a number of other possible coexisting conditions, including trauma, neglect, medical, sleep, neurodevelopmental, sensory processing, fetal substance exposure, and psychological conditions. This approach will help clinicians more accurately conduct evidence-based ADHD evaluations, as well as identify and better understand the numerous other possible coexisting conditions that may present along with and worsen true ADHD, or cause ADHD-like presentations when ADHD does not exist.

The Six Step ADHD Treatment Approach for Children and Adolescents​

Utilizing a long-term and evidence-based treatment approach for children and adolescent is essential for effective management of ADHD. This includes accurate diagnostic efforts to help identify a range of coexisting conditions that may accompany ADHD, as well as addressing home, school, and social challenges. However, many families, educators, and clinicians lack a critical framework for guidance to address foundational difficulties such as sleep difficulties and academic underachievement, as well as the myriad of developmental challenges that arise over time. This presentation will present a six-step comprehensive evidence-based ADHD treatment management model that utilizes a number of approaches and interventions for children and adolescents. Useful and specific strategies will be described for each phase so participants will increase their understandings and skills in each area.

The six-step ADHDology Treatment Model is presented as the framework to accomplish these three goals: Provide a clear understanding of ADHD, which is a complex and confusing condition. Without this, clinicians may not address the difficulties and challenges appropriately, and treatment approaches may not be as successful or can even fail; Teach the fundamentals about managing and treating ADHD at home and school; Provide additional and alternative approaches to treat ADHD, some of which are newer, while others have a longer history of effectiveness.

Coding and Documentation Excellence for Prescribing Psychologists

This seminar will provide a comprehensive exploration of documentation requirements and payer policies for psychiatric diagnostic evaluations, associated treatment plans, and evaluation and management services in the outpatient setting specific to prescribing psychologists. We will carefully explore how to determine the complexity of medical decision-making based on the American Medical Association’s guidelines. We will also consider time-based coding of evaluation and management services, to include activities that may and may not be counted towards total time, documentation necessities and strategies for accurate reporting and reimbursement. Additionally, we will explore therapeutic services such as individual psychotherapy and psychotherapy for crisis.

As variable payer policies exist, we will also explore similarities and differences for several top payers. This will include how to report prolonged services for Medicare and other payers, requirements regarding start and stop time versus total service time, and treatment plan specifics. Both internal and external audits are a key component of a robust compliance plan. Understanding variable requirements will allow organizations to set internal documentation standard policies that ensure payer requirements are met or exceeded in all circumstances.

Throughout the seminar, redacted records will be used to practice application of seminar content. Both excellent and poor documentation examples will be shared. Attendees will break into groups to assess record quality, determine which documentation components are absent to support the service, and select appropriate levels of service, where applicable. This activity will assist attendees in applying documentation standards to their own encounter records and appropriately assigning supported service codes.

Understanding Vicarious Trauma and its Path to Resilience

Mental Health professionals routinely provide care to individuals with significant trauma histories. The incessant responsiveness and empathic regard that is required when giving care to trauma clients can result in the therapist being traumatized as well. This presentation will focus on vicarious trauma and how it manifests both as burnout and compassion fatigue. An understanding of vicarious trauma will be discussed based on the seminal research of Pearlman & Saakitvne. Additionally, vicarious trauma will be linked to collective trauma. The conceptualization of collective trauma will be based on the formulations of sociologist Kai Erikson. The presentation will also highlight the symptoms of vicarious trauma and specific empirically validated tools like the Malsch Burnout Inventory and Moreover, information will be delineated to underscore those mental health workers who are more at risk for suffering from vicarious trauma. 

A secondary aspect of the presentation will focus on ways to navigate the effects of impactful trauma work. Examining various self-care techniques to manage burnout and psychological distress will be addressed. An essential aspect that will be considered is the importance of moving from vicarious trauma to a place of growth and strength. The areas of vicarious resilience and vicarious transformation will be explored to demonstrate the positive impact that trauma work can have on therapists. 

Combining the ETC and DCT in Therapeutic Treatment with a Depressed and Anxious Teen

The Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) and Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT) are two methods of understanding cognitive and emotional styles of clients can foster positive relationships with clients and promote transformation. The ETC is a theoretical framework composed of four continuum levels, representing the modes of interaction with media. Three of the ETC levels reflect established systems of human development, including Kinesthetic/Sensory, Perceptual/Affective, and Cognitive/Symbolic. Clients can use various mind states and developmental sequences that correlate to art materials in order to work on trauma, depression, anxiety, and a host of other disorders. The level or continuum of the ETC is creativity, which is seen as a synthesizing agent. Like the ETC, the DCT offers four cognitive-emotional development styles, which are defined as Sensorimotor/Elemental, Concrete/Situational, Formal-Operational, and Dialectic/Systemic Styles.

Each of the four styles of DCT is a unique way of processing information. The therapist supports the client by matching her/his/their DCT style, and then helps the client expand her/his/their cognitive/emotional experience through horizontal movement in a particular style, or by facilitating challenge with vertical movement to a DCT style where there may be a block or underuse. A person can function in one style most of the time or in multiple styles. Both the ETC and DCT offer opportunities for growth and transformation based on increased insight of the individual. Additionally, both ETC and DCT allow the therapist to meet the client in the developmental mode that she/he/they are in, so that the necessary trust and relationship can be built to foster eventual client-directed transformation. Researchers have found that the integration of DCT with creative strategies has been a promising approach to working with disorders such as trauma, depression, terminal illness, eating disorders, substance use problems, and anxiety disorders. Combining talk therapy through the DCT with art therapy utilizing the ETC may foster holistic awareness and intentional action in clients suffering from anxiety and depression. Additionally, using ETC and DCT with children and adolescents who face some of the biggest transitions of development may offer a unique and holistic approach for youth who are facing developmental changes and mental health concerns. In this presentation 4 case studies will be presented using both approaches to decrease depression and anxiety, specifically in teens. Art work and therapeutic skills will be shown and highlighted.

Running A Successful Mental Health Practice in A Post-Covid Era

Want to ensure you have all the necessary processes in place while building your practice? In this two-hour training session, you will learn the most important aspects of building and maintaining a successful practice, including credentialing, enrollments, billing, and managing accounts receivable. This training will show you, step-by-step, how to run an efficient and successful practice. 

This professional presentation will provide training and guidance on creating a successful mental health practice. The presenters will go over crucial steps that impact your revenue cycle; including insurance credentialing and contracting and provider enrollment. Providers will understand how to create an efficient credentialing/enrollment process and understand the connection with a healthy revenue cycle. During this workshop, providers will understand CAQH, NPPES, I&A, AVALITY, ERA & EFTs, and Medicare portal. 

Marketing Planning for Health Based Professional Services

Health care professionals will learn to market their practice successfully and ethically. This webinar will lead individuals in the importance of marketing planning and how to develop a successful marketing plan to promote and grow their business.

This webinar will focus on how the development of marketing plans for health care services differs both legally and ethically from that of other industries and participants will walk away with the knowledge to develop an actionable marketing plan. 

Is DEI an Ethical Issue?

In this fast-changing world, there are growing concerns among employers on accommodating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The absence of DEI has denied segments of the workforce basic rights, social justice, respect, and dignity as human beings. Employees look to their leaders for solutions when times are challenging and expect them to do what is morally right. Leaders must make ethical decisions daily to protect the psychological safety of their staff. In this presentation, we will begin to identify various links between ethics and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.

The success of diversity, equity, and inclusion is dependent on ethical leaders and decision-makers. This presentation discusses the relationship between DEI and ethics in the changing world and workplace. Meaningful diversity and inclusion initiatives must be a foundational part of your organization’s ethics—and not just because the world is demanding action. Diversity and inclusion initiatives should be a core component of an organization’s ethical framework. This presentation highlights three approaches to embed DEI practices and structures in the workplace: liberal, radical, and transformational.

Walking in Their Shoes: Using a Multi-Modal Approach to Prevent Foster Care Placement with Immigrant Children

According to the American Psychological Association (2022), the number of immigrant and undocumented youth make up a significant number of immigrant and undocumented populations.   While the view of immigrants is mostly positiven, immigrant children and youth face a host of challenges. They can be the subject of racial and ethnic profiling, discrimination and harassment, gang involvement, arbitrary policing of documentation status, removal from their families and placement outside of their homes, and entry into the foster care system. Considerations for initial placement-related disruption include child demographic characteristics, child risk factors, the child’s case history, and placement characteristics (Sattler, Font, & Gershoff, 2018).  

In the state of California, the Reuniting Immigrant Families Act (SB 1064) aims to address some challenges to reunification that immigrant families in the child welfare system face. Though the policy provides a solid foundation for change, several barriers, including, but not limited to, a lack of understanding of cultural needs, immigration, and cultural resources based on familial culture and parenting, a lack of resource use due to lack of transportation, multicultural understanding, and fears of system services or removal once the system is involved, parenting education is less effective when basic needs are not being met, neglect not being clearly defined, a lack of access to services and family court proceedings, systemic bias in education and prevention services and policies and policy and reunification involvement is not accessible for caregivers remain.  To effect change, policy, prevention and intervention must all be taken into consideration.  This presentation, while looking through this lens of intersection, looks at empirically based prevention strategies.  Specifically, strategies will be explored that aim to address the individual, the family, and the system.

Increasing Self-Awareness to Strengthen Cultural-Awareness​

Personal cultural awareness is a critical component for creating an effective learning environment (Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, CACREP, F.2.h; Kumi-Yeboah et al., 2020). Self- exploration is one avenue that an instructor can use for becoming culturally aware (Desai et al., 2019). This panel presentation engages the audience by using Johari’s Window (Luft, 1969) as a framework to discuss intrapersonal processes. The panel will discuss Giddings (2007) book on When and Where I Enter and how the text was instrumental for the development of the When and Where I Enter self-awareness exercise to increase cultural awareness.

Participants will learn and engage in the self-awareness exercise for exploring cultural awareness through self- exploration. Specifically, presenters explore literature supported evidence on the benefits of instructor cultural awareness demonstrated in the learning environment. In addition, research is presented on the importance of self-reflective practices to increase personal self-awareness and consequently enhance cultural awareness. Then, the panel demonstrates the When and Where I am Enter self-exploration exercise to use as a tool for developing stronger cultural awareness through self-exploration. Finally, the panel members and attendees discuss and explore the experience of using the When and Where I Enter self-exploration exercise for developing cultural awareness which can be applied in all areas of life.

Immigrant Acculturative Stress and Mental Health​

This program will examine the role of acculturative stress on individuals’ mental health. It will distinguish the acculturative stress that people experience due to limited linguistic proficiency from the stress that they incur as a result of having to navigate a new culture, with a different set of norms, customs, ideologies, and even practices for interacting with a healthcare system and its representatives. Acculturative stress will be thoroughly defined, and relevant examples will be provided. The populations most susceptible to acculturative stress will also be presented. The presenter will use her own experiences as an immigrant who has experienced acculturative as a lens for discussing best practices for ameliorating the acculturative stress of immigrants, and for improving their mental health outcomes. The presenter will also incorporate opportunities for attendees to reflect on their own immigrant story, if relevant, as a means for exploring some of the concepts discussed.

This program will use Bandura’s (1978) social cognitive theory, specifically the notion of self-efficacy, as the theoretical framework for understanding acculturative stress and its impact on immigrants’ psychological well-being. The presentation will focus on two key context where acculturative stress may exert the most profound negative effects: work and school.

Reflections: Reminiscence Therapy with People Diagnosed with Neurocognitive Disorders

The prevalence of neurocognitive disorders in America continues to grow. In the United States of America 6.5 million individuals will be diagnosed with a major neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s Disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2022). When an individual is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or another neurocognitive disorder the person, their family, friends, and community members are impacted. Friends and neighbors often become caregivers to provide support to the individual and their family.

Participants will learn about reminiscence therapy (Westerhof, & Bohlmeijer, 2014) and the application of the therapy to support the wellbeing of individuals diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder. Conference participants will learn how to assess if reminiscence therapy should be used with individuals diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder. Individuals will learn how to use reminiscence therapy along with two interventions to support clients and their caregivers. One intervention will incorporate the use of technology in the therapeutic process. Participants will also learn how to employ the wellness wheel and wellness counseling (Clarke, et al. , 2016) in the therapeutic process to promote the wellbeing of the individual diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder and their caregivers. A case study will be used to promote participants interaction, as they learn and apply reminiscence therapy to the case of Mae.

Beyond the Political: Understanding Abortion and Mental Health

With the recent Supreme Court decision removing abortion as a protected right and turning it to state legislatures, the topic of abortion is, at once, both ascendant in discourse and a topic of angst for many. Numerous women who have experienced abortion or contemplated it find that mental health concerns transcend the passionate debate between the two sides.

This session will explore the relationship between mental health and abortion, paying particular attention to the role stigma plays in mental health sequela. Tips for working with both men and women prior to and following an abortion will be discussed.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Embracing Diversity to Improve Care

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are often viewed only through the narrow lens of overt, outrageous acts. Developing cultural competence within healthcare is critical to go beyond discrimination to examining how social and economic forces impact the structure of healthcare and its delivery for the individual. The health inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic compelled health professionals to learn how to best engage in, sustain, and deepen conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion (Muldoon, 2022). Cultural competency trainings incorporate awareness and structural education for healthcare providers and healthcare systems to recognize how symptom expression, clinical problems, diseases, attitudes, and delivery of care are influenced by social determinants of health (Bishop et al., 2022). This specific training will highlight unconscious bias and microaggressions to assist participants to create healthcare environments that embrace diversity and different perspectives. 

The goal of this training is to inspire program participants to be active change agents within their industry. This Cultural Competency workshop will assist healthcare professionals positively impact employee engagement, promote team collaboration, and improve the patient care experience. Healthcare practitioners will be able to use the resources in this workshop to evaluate their organizational culture, inform their practices, and to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and welcomed. This training will emphasize unconscious biases and the impact of microaggressions. This anti-bias approach encourages participants to challenge racism, sexism, and discriminations whole learning how to be agents of social change. Our training will emphasize the critical areas: self-awareness; identify racism, sexism, and discriminations within healthcare institutions and practices; and evaluate diverse perspectives to become more culturally competent and empathetic.

Human Trafficking: A Two-Part Series

Human trafficking refers to the exploitation of an individual using force, fraud, or coercion. It is said that it is the third most profitable crime in the world (Global Financial Integrity, 2017). This has been further exacerbated due to the social and economic stress from the pandemic (U.S. Department of State, 2021). Although, anyone is susceptible to human trafficking, traffickers have been found to specifically target vulnerable populations (UN, 2008).  

Misconceptions about trafficking is a significant impediment in identifying victims (Logan et al., 2009). To make identification more difficult, victims typically do not recognize their exploitation (Brown, 2008). Part 1: Risk Factors, Characteristics, and Warning Signs will discuss the risk factors, characteristics of the traffickers, and warning signs trafficking. Part 2: Resources and Support will explore the ways practitioners can advocate and support anti-trafficking efforts.

Patient-Provider Communication

This program will be divided into two parts: Issues affecting patient/client-provider communication at the micro level, and issues affecting their communication at the macro level.

At the micro level, we will discuss how to engage in interpersonal communication with patients, and moreover identify barriers to creating a dialogue of this sort. We look, in depth, about both verbal (e.g., message content) and nonverbal (e.g., tone of voice, body language, proxemics) aspects of communication in the process of meaning making, and in forging meaningful professional relationships within the healthcare context.

At the macro level, we will examine how social scripts guide, dictate, and even constrain social interactions. We will account for how metanarratives of race, gender, class, and so forth influence day-to-day interactions with patients.

Billing, Insurance Credentialing & Contracting for Mental Health Professionals

Want to ensure you have all necessary processes in place while building your practice? This professional presentation will provide training and guidance on creating a successful mental health practice. The presenters cover crucial steps to impact your revenue cycle; including insurance credentialing and contracting and provider enrollment. Providers will understand how to create an efficient credentialing/enrollment process and understand the connection with a healthy revenue cycle. During this workshop, providers will understand CAQH, NPPES, I&A, Availity, ERA and EFTs, and Medicare portal. 

In this two-hour training session, you will learn the most important aspects of building and maintaining a successful practice, including credentialing, enrollments, billing, and managing accounts receivable. This training will show you, step by step, how to run an efficient and successful practice.

Clinical Implications of Mandated Reporting

The presentation will provide a brief overview of the role of the Mandated Reporter, and the procedures by which to make a mandated report, per Illinois DCFS regulations. Most clinicians are familiar with these policies, but find the process frustrating, overwhelming, and anxiety-provoking, as it relates to our relationships with our clients. In addition, clinical and ethical challenges exist related to the disproportionality of family of color in the child welfare system (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2016).The clinical implications of working with families throughout this process will be discussed: issues such as when and how to involve caregivers, how to support families during the process, and how to maintain the therapeutic relationship. Also discussed will be ways to differentiate between physical abuse and corporal punishment, in both the legal and clinical context, as well as suggestions for discussing this issue in work with children and families.

Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for Mental Health Professionals - Updated for 2022

As mental health professionals, you understand far better than most people do about the effects that harassment can have on individuals. In the aftermath of the Weinstein scandal, various states are requiring mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for licensed mental health professionals as well as for employers, regardless of size. Harassment of any kind, including sexual harassment, is illegal regardless of where you are working. You need to be able to define harassment, recognize it, take steps to prevent it, ensure that your employees understand how to report it, and your responsibilities to investigate and remediate. This program will provide instruction on all this and more, mirroring the requirements of Illinois law (the more specific requirements relating to the workplace and the not so specific requirement relating to licensed mental health professionals). 

This course was updated as of May 2022 to match all current legislation and provide the most up-to-date information.

From Burnout to Bliss: Recognition and Coping Strategies

Nurse burnout is becoming an increasing problem, especially with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, more nurses are leaving the profession abruptly or suffering mental and physical ailments. The need to educate nurses on how to recognize burnout for proper intervention and treatment is needed for optimal mental, spiritual, and physical health.

Participants in this program will be able to define burnout and discuss different types of stressors that contribute to burnout common among nurses and other healthcare professionals. Participants will learn about signs and symptoms of burnout, promoting a healthy workplace setting, the effects of burnout on the body, and symptoms and stages of burnout. Identify individual and organizational prevention strategies and actions for responding to burnout. Applicable for nurses, healthcare leaders, and mental health professionals working in a healthcare setting.

Ethics in a Changing World

It is important to understand more than the prescribed code of ethics for each profession. A thorough understanding of the history and evolution of ethics puts the need for guidelines and boundaries into perspective. Awareness of the intersection of the law, morality and ethical decision-making is imperative. This workshop will address those considerations and more. It will provide provocative examples of how to use ethics as a personal and professional guide. Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors and Therapists have one common mandate – to facilitate client wellness. Remaining objective, while displaying empathy can only be accomplished when certain boundaries are in place. This course will assist participants shape boundaries that are comfortable for them.

Terapia Cognitivo Conductual en Español

Es muy importante comprender cómo trabajar con niños bilingües y sus familias que están lidiando con un trauma. La terapia cognitivo-conductual enfocada en el trauma se enfoca en proporcionar un modelo de práctica basado en evidencia con muchos recursos en español para niños y familias que permiten a los padres comprender mejor el trauma y el impacto en sus hijos. Comprender cómo trabajar con familias bilingües ayudará a los médicos a brindar tratamiento de una manera más eficiente sin perder la compenetración y la conexión con la cultura latina. Este taller presentará muchas intervenciones sobre cómo tratar el trauma con familias bilingües en español.

Habrá una sesión de preguntas y respuestas al final del panel donde los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de hacer preguntas.

Spanish 101 for Mental Health Providers

A Four-Part Series in Spanish

According to Deborah Bailey and Bruce Hogan (2019), while 18% of Americans identify as Hispanic, less than 6% of Psychologists in the U.S. can provide services in Spanish. Even more concerning, is that less than 50% of Psychologists interview in this survey felt extremely knowledgably in working with Hispanic individuals (Bailey and Hogan, 2019). This proposed webinar series seeks to engage TCSPP students, faculty, and community members in creating a more inclusive environment in mental health settings by introducing non-Spanish speakers and Spanish speaking mental health professionals to the basic words and phrases needed to work with Bi-Lingual (Spanish/English) clients in a culturally competent manner.   

Due to the increasing need of the Spanish speaking population in need of therapy services with an understanding of the language and cultural characteristics of the Latin community, these four, one-hour workshops will train mental health clinicians and current students to speak properly with clinical lingo to the population. 

The Challenging Parent - How to Work in Partnership with Difficult Parents Post-Covid and Beyond

Parents are dealing with a lot right now. If a parent was difficult before Covid, in its aftermath, they may be even more challenging. If you’ve ever had to deal with an over-bearing or difficult parent, this workshop will help you work effectively and efficiently together. The presenter, Jodee Blanco, will provide specific strategies on how to handle the irate, unreasonable, parent who storms into your office, frustrated and unwilling to listen, and begins bullying you or the school. If you’re a mental health professional who works in the school system, you know firsthand how difficult it can be to calm that parent down and get them to listen and behave like an adult. How do you communicate with the irrational parent, motivate him/her to work with you in everyone’s best interests? What shouldn’t you say to an angry, bullying parent and why, and what should you say and do? What are the three tenets of emotional credibility in communication and how do you apply those tenets to successfully win over even the most stubborn, challenging parent, inspire understanding, and most importantly, collaborate on viable solutions that you implement successfully together? Jodee will walk you through step by step how to transform a tense situation with a parent into an opportunity to forge a productive, rewarding partnership that enriches the school, the student, and the student’s family.

Triage for the Bullied or Troubled Student: Through a Survivor's Eye

Jodee Blanco, author of the seminal New York Times bestseller Please Stop Laughing at Me… and multiple other books on bullying, will bring your audience inside the heart and mind of the bullied child, and help them to see the world through their compelling point of view. As the nation’s first survivor turned activist/expert, she will also share some of her most unforgettable experiences working deep inside the trenches of America’s schools for over two decades. Jodee provides a rare and illuminating perspective that only someone who was bullied herself and who holds hundreds of bullied students in her arms every day as they pour their hearts out to her, can understand. Highlights of this class include: what you should never say to a bullied child and why; what you should say and do; the Three Tenants of Emotional Credibility in Communication and how to engage each to elicit truth from a student in crisis; how the bully and the victim are flipsides of the same coin and how to identify and assist both; the two types of bullying and why one is innocuous and the other dangerous; the two types of popular students and how to harness their influence to create a more inclusive atmosphere at school; the typical profile of the bullied child; how to intervene with a bullied child one-on-one; how to intervene with a group; why traditional punishment doesn’t always work and how to supplement it with a more intuitive alternative called Compassionate Discipline; how to spot the warning signs a victim may be suicidal or contemplating retaliation; where to turn for support; and how to work in partnership with parents on all sides.

Best Practices in Online Pedagogy

On-ground campuses are shifting courses to an online modality to combat the COVID-19 virus spread. Many on-ground faculty have limited to no training or experience in online pedagogy. Online pedagogy is different from on-ground teaching and requires knowledge of technology, course development, online course management, how to create a virtual community, and continuous development.

The presenters have 30 years of combined online teaching experience. The presenters will discuss best practices of online pedagogy, provide concrete examples of potential obstacles and solutions, and share resources. The ultimate goal of the presentation to provide the tools necessary for a smooth transition from on-ground delivery to an online modality.

The Impact Credentialing & Enrollment Has On Your Revenue Cycle

This presentation will provide training on accurate credentialing and payer enrollment for mental health professionals. The presenter will provide comprehensive review of insurance enrollments and it’s impact on your revenue cycle. During the workshop, attendees will learn how to assess and complete various insurance network applications and their products. Providers will be given instruction on how to create an efficient credentialing/enrollment process. Attendees will understand CAQH, NPPES, I&A, and Medicare portals.

Coding and Billing for Psychotherapists - Telehealth

This intermediate presentation will provide training on billing insurance companies for psychotherapy services including how to receive payment from commercial payers including for telehealth & video-session services. This presentation will cover CPT codes and modifiers. The presenter will go over current challenges with receiving payments for telehealth and cost sharing waivers during the pandemic.

The presenter will provide a comprehensive review of the insurance verification process using the Availity. Find out what to ask when you are calling the insurance plan to verify mental health benefits. Learn about deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance to ensure you are receiving the full contracted fee.

Insurance Claims: Empowering Your Clients for Coverage

Insurance coverage for mental health and substance use treatment has long been a challenge compared to coverage for physical health.  While federal and state laws have been implemented over the last several years to require parity treatment (i.e., mental health same as physical health), it remains far too common that claims are denied and coverage is out-of-reach for individuals requiring such care.  More recently, federal lawsuits have been won in favor of patients where insurers improperly, that is illegally, denied claims.  Step-by-step, the landscape may be shifting so that patients will be less likely to confront denied claims.  But we’re not there yet.

Insurers have denied claims for “lack of medical necessity” where that determination has been made independently of the patient’s treating clinician.  Such denials may be confounding to both patients and to their clinicians.  After all, who should be making the determination about whether care is indeed “medically necessary.”

Authors of a recently published article will describe their recommendation for clinicians to provide a “letter of medical necessity” to their patients as a tool to improve the likelihood that insurers timely approve claims.  Such letters have proven crucial in lawsuits and appeals; they represent an important tool that clinicians can provide their patients.

NRCI Annual Conference: COVID 19 - Grief & Stress During a Global Pandemic

The mission of the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education is to reduce the stigma of mental illness that has been a barrier for individuals, families, and communities receiving much-needed support. The institute aims to provide resources and hope to those that struggle with mental illness and to those who support them. The Institute strives to educate people on mental health issues through various outreach programs. This presentation, part of the 2021 NRCI Annual Conference, is moderated by Dr. Michael Kocet and features panelists Dr. Serena Wadhwa, Dr. Jillian Blueford, David Firemen, and Michael Catania.

Banging Beats, Changing Streets: Confronting COVID-19 and Community Violence

Modern Rap music and its related Hip- Hop culture is one of the most popular and dynamic influences among youth in the United States as well as around the world. For example, Billboard magazine and other news outlets report that Rap music has become the most popular musical genre across all consumers in the United States since 2017, and similar reports suggest Rap music has become an extremely popular international phenomenon.

Although certain elements of Rap/Hip-Hop contain negative messages, the Hip-Hop H.E.A.L.S. (Helping Everyone Achieve Liberation and Success) program is an innovative model of trauma-informed violence prevention and intervention that employs strategically-selected songs, videos, and other popular media components from Rap/Hip-Hop culture to promote prosocial strategies. This webinar will highlight practical techniques and exemplars for employing Rap/Hip-Hop-related songs and videos to address COVID-19 and community violence among urban youth as a means of providing trauma-informed violence prevention programming that is relevant to current crises impacting mental health and wellness of these youth and their families, schools, and communities.

The 411 on Telehealth: A Guide to Ethical Practice for Practitioners and Supervisors

Telehealth, or the delivery of health-related services through the of technology, is continually developing and evolving, based on the changing needs of society. Most recently, COVID-19 has tasked healthcare systems with the rethinking and rapid development of technology-assisted delivery of care (Shachar, Engel, and Elwyn, 2020). Further, mental health concerns and disorders, which are prevalent worldwide, are a major health concern that can go unaddressed, due to cost, logistical or physical access to care, stigma around mental illness, and shortage of professionals (Abuwalla et. al, 2018). Teleheath can eliminate treatment gaps for clients by providing safe, ethical, effective, and accessible options and alternatives for care. For instance, providers have used telehealth for the effective treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma-and stressor-related disorders in individual therapy formats (Brunnell et. al., 2021; Townley & Yalowich, 2015)).

Advances in technology have changed the way that mental health practitioners and practitioner-supervisors can and do conduct therapy sessions and supervision (Lesser, 2021). Paramount to this shift is quality, training on ethics and supervision. In order to effectively conduct ethical telehealth, training consideration must be given to scope of practice, standards of care, building effective teletherapeutic relationships, multicultural, legal, and ethical considerations, supervision, and continuing education. This program will provide an overview to the topics above, and how they can be ethically applied to telehealth practice and supervision.

Telehealth 101

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought telehealth to the forefront as a safe modality for providing ongoing care as agencies, schools, and businesses engage in social distancing to curtail the spread of the virus. Ethical and legal tele-assisted counseling and supervision require specialized skills and knowledge. This presentation will assist mental health professions in developing a transition plan from an on-ground delivery to an online delivery model.

During this presentation, the presenters will examine the use of technology in the delivery of tele-assisted counseling and supervision. The presenters will provide an in-depth exploration of the selection, implementation, and evaluation of technology in the delivery of clinical services. The presenters will review guidelines for screening clients and supervisees and demonstrate how to create an effective technology-assisted relationship. Participants will use ethical and legal guidelines to identify potential concerns and develop solutions regarding the use of technology in clinical services. Participants will examine resources for staying current with this rapidly emerging modality.