Live CE Webinars for Mental Health Professionals

Overview: This webinar, led by Lisa DeLuca, LCSW, explores the transformative power of bottom-up interventions like Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Rather than relying solely on cognitive processing, participants will learn to access the "body's scorecard" - the unconscious procedural patterns that store traumatic memory. Case studies will depict how shifting the client's focus to mindful awareness of physical sensations not only keeps clients in their window of tolerance but can also help clients move forward. See how to help clients reframe their troubling symptoms as adaptive wisdom and use the body as a primary resource for healing.

Overview: Explore and reflect on your own views of race and racial bias with Dr. Monique Swift, PsyD, LMHC, LPC! Participants will also learn how our brains have a natural proclivity toward bias, as well as gain strategies for developing anti-bias clinical practice from a place of cultural humility.

Overview: Modern research suggests approximately 25%-35% of humans are born with a more sensitive nervous system. Picking up on more information from the external environment may enhance the ability to empathize, experience intuition, be detail-oriented, and notice subtle changes. However, Western culture often promotes a need to be tougher, less emotional, remaining ever-able to handle high levels of stress without breaking a sweat. This landscape may leave Highly Sensitive individuals depleted, anxious, and stuck in "survival mode". Join sensitivity-focused educator and life coach, Karina Antonopoulos, as we review contemporary research and assessment surrounding Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) and the supportive measures and strategies that may aid clients in navigating daily functions with a deeper understanding around the implications of being Highly Sensitive, as well as living with Highly Sensitive loved ones.

Overview: Welcome to another evening with Simple Spaces founder, professional organizer Katie Tracy, CPO, MHRM, as we dig deeper into how we are impacted by the space that surrounds us! Participants will review research on the current impact of clutter on American families, examine differences between clutter and hoarding, (as well as warning signs) and discuss common causes of clutter and disorganization. A great class on its own, or a wonderful supplement building upon Katie's other course, Why It's Hard to Let Go. You're sure to gain insight and inspiration to help clients address both physical and mental clutter.

Overview: Victor Hugo is quoted as saying: "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words, and that which cannot remain silent." We invite you to enjoy an evening discovering the evidence-based therapeutic value of music with Shoshana Averbach, LMSW, MA, MT-BC, LCAT, CCM, CDP, CECP! Through theory and demonstration, Shoshana is our guide as we conceptualize music's effect on emotions and mood, examine the strong associative properties of music and its impact on experiences and recollections, as well as consider the contribution of music as a means of expression, and its application therapeutically for clients facing emotional, mental and physical challenges. Prepare to take your music appreciation to a whole new level!

Overview: Rev. Karen E. Herrick, PhD., LCSW, LMSW, CADC explains the characteristics and other factors of Near Death Experiences (NDEs), helping practitioners to gain a deeper understanding of the populations that experience NDEs and other types of Spiritually Transforming Experiences (STEs). With 15 million adult experiencers in the United States alone, (12% representing cardiac arrest patients), participants will explore different aspects of Mental Health professionals' responses to clients reporting a NDEs, and the impact of validating these experiences. From those working in healthcare settings, to those working through loss, bereavement and complex grief with families, we invite you to enjoy learning with us as Rev. Dr. Herrick shares her experiences and insights surrounding her groundbreaking work in this rapidly expanding field.

Overview: Curious to know what Freud might say? Explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in mental health with Jodi Geis-Crowder! Participants will define Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it is being used in Chatbots and phone apps as a primary therapist, discuss the ethical considerations that apply to the use of AI as a behavioral health care option, noting they are not regulated by licensing boards codes of ethics, but rather an AI Value Platform Policy Statement. We'll also examine the importance of mandatory disclosure regarding clients seeking services while utilizing adjunct AI, and the importance of working with a clinical supervisor/ clinical consultant and an information technology expert to navigate the clinical waters and to protect professional liability will also be discussed.

Overview: Join CE You moderator, therapist, and founder of "Therapy Connection", Andrea Brognano, LMHC as we explore the ethics of professional boundaries. Participants will examine practitioners' ethical obligation to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and why these boundaries are important, defining and recognizing the potential dangers of dual relationships, as well as identifying circumstances that could impair objectivity and professional judgment. This webinar can also be used for fulfilling the New York State "Professional Boundaries" continuing education requirement for Social Workers.

Overview: Join Karina Van Brunt, LMSW for an in-depth look at the effects of Vicarious Trauma (VT). Whether serving clients in helping professions known to be susceptible to Vicarious Trauma or noting the challenges of individuals living with the repercussions of Vicarious Trauma, we'll engage strategies to help process and mitigate Vicarious Trauma symptoms.

Overview: Join Carolyn Gartner, LCSW, FT, for this essential webinar geared to equip mental health professionals with a solid foundation in grief counseling. We'll delve into the Holistic Grief Assessment, a comprehensive tool that goes beyond symptoms to address the multifaceted nature of loss. Explore the evolution of grief models, from Freud's early theories to contemporary frameworks. Gain confidence in your basic death competency, ensuring you can effectively support clients facing their own mortality or the loss of loved ones. We'll also equip you with practical strategies for client homework, including therapeutic writing exercises and guided meditations. Plus, we'll address frequently encountered challenges such as medication use, the impact of social media on grief processing, and navigating the DSM-5 classification system for mental health disorders related to bereavement. Join us and build your skills to become a more confident and compassionate guide for clients on their grief journey.

Overview: Join Angela B. Duncan PhD, as we navigate the ethics-based obligation to optimize client care. Participants will define and examine risk factors associated with deficient therapist self awareness of limitations, evaluate potential effects on the therapeutic relationship, discuss ethical standards and practices to heighten awareness of physical or emotional barriers and related decision-making processes, and identify when outside referral may be necessary to ensure fidelity to client interest and promote optimal client outcomes.

Overview: Katie Bingner, MS, LCPC, brings us an ethics-centered and trauma informed approach to managing treatment expectations for clients and practitioners. We'll discuss the impact of treatment expectations on the therapeutic alliance and clinician effectiveness, as well as corresponding ethical perspectives around managing these expectations and recognizing how they influence clinical outcomes and client-centered practice.

Overview: Feeling sentimental? Join Simple Spaces founder, and Certified Professional Organizer Katie Tracy as we discuss some of the emotions behind many common ways contemporary American families are impacted by clutter. Participants will gain insight surrounding emotional attachment to "stuff", decision making processes, as well as strategies for addressing the different and varied manifestations of emotional attachment that make "letting go" so difficult. Enjoy this class on its own, or as a wonderful supplement building upon Katie's other course, House Full of Stuff. You're sure to gain insight and inspiration to help clients identify and understand both physical and emotional clutter, and its impact on daily life.

Overview: This essential course equips social workers and mental health professionals with the tools to create truly inclusive and affirming services. With therapist Katie Bingner, MS, LCPC as our guide, we'll delve into recognizing diverse cultural values, beliefs, and practices within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. Learn culturally sensitive communication and intervention strategies to ensure effective service delivery for all your clients. But inclusion goes deeper. We'll explore how to identify and dismantle systemic barriers that create inequities for clients. You'll gain the skills to advocate for policies and practices that promote social justice and dismantle discriminatory structures within systems and the broader community. We'll also critically analyze the concepts of power, privilege, and oppression. Understanding how these factors impact your clients and how your own practice empowers you to be a more effective advocate and champion for positive change. Join us and build a practice that is truly inclusive and helps all clients to thrive!

Overview: Explore the unique and fascinating elements of character with Anne Redelfs, M.D.! Participants will gain new insight surrounding often overlooked sources of deep-seated trauma that explain common dysfunctional character traits as well as extremes of asocial and antisocial behavior. We'll examine the extensive consequences of unresolved childhood trauma and how these can be remedied through relating to this "inner rebel" and uncovering its "cause". Tools and strategies for enlivening clients and loved ones by identifying their hidden traumas as well as the recovery steps that might progress their developmental journeys will also be discussed.

Overview: Shoshana Averbach LMSW, MA, MSW, CCM, CDP, MT-BC, LCAT brings us into the world of empaths and sensitive souls. As we explore the impact these traits may have on clients, participants will take part in this meaningful discussion as we define empaths and sensitive souls as the concepts relate to practice with individuals navigating overwhelm and information overload, conceptualize theory surrounding empaths and sensitivity in the context of relationships, work, and life challenges, as well as consider coping strategies that may offer clients ways to create customized balance and boundaries essential to navigating a variety of life settings and situations as empathic individuals.

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