Mental Health Diagnosis for the Insurance-Based World: Using the Medical Model While Holding on to Therapeutic Ideals (3 CE Credits) Regardless of the modality, much of mental health treatment is driven by the medical model. This requires diagnoses in order to access services, especially those that are reimbursed by health insurance. A diagnosis, while necessary for insurance reimbursement, can carry a great deal of stigma. At the same time it can clarify why someone is distressed. Being told of a mental health diagnosis can result in relief, fear, distress, anger, grief, or any combination of emotions. Consequently, those who diagnose have an immense amount of power.

The primary goal of this workshop is to help clinicians ensure diagnostic accuracy. Dr. Hasson will discuss factors that can influence the accuracy of diagnosing, including the quality of the interview, base rates, implicit biases, confirmation bias, environmental factors, and availability heuristics. She will also review different methods of interviewing, including the benefits and drawbacks of different diagnostic interviewing strategies and screening measures.

(Trainer, Jessica Hasson, PhD, is licensed as a psychologist in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. She specializes in psychological assessment, including psychological evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, and forensic evaluations. She has presented over 50 times at state, national, and international psychology conferences and has published book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles on assessment.)

Class B
Helping Survivors Heal from Sexual Trauma: An Attachment Approach (3 CE Credits - Trauma)

This workshop will address the skills necessary to accompany clients on their healing journey. Participants will focus on how to assess and work with clients in the different stages of therapy. Stage 1 - "Undoing Aloneness," Stage 2 - "Deepening the Experience," and Stage 3 - "Consolidating the Gains"

(Trainer, Reena Bernards, LCMFT, is an experienced attachment-based therapist. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, in private practice in Maryland and Washington D.C. She is certified as an Emotionally Focused Therapist and works with individuals, couples, and families using a trauma-informed and attachment lens. She also works as an inter-group dialogue consultant and trainer.

Trainer, Donna Jenson, MA, is a national leader in the sexual abuse survivor community. She is the Founder and Director of Time To Tell. Donna is the author of Healing My Life From Incest to Joy, editor of the anthology, Survivor Voices; and producer of the documentary Telling Is Healing. Since 2008 Donna has led writing circles for survivors. She is also a leadership development consultant for non-profits.)

1:10 pm – 5:30 pm EST

Select one of the following classes
Class A

Introduction to MindFulChoice™ Therapy for Resilience and Adaptation to Psychological Issues (4 CE Credits)

Discover the MindFulChoice™ System: a revolutionary 21st-century transformation rooted in 20 years of research. This dynamic approach blends Positive Psychology, Choice Theory, and Parallel Thinking with Education Science, providing a fresh perspective on daily living. Help your clients unlock the power to live intentionally, boost well-being, and navigate life's challenges with resilience. Join us to explore the core concepts, delve into Positive Psychology, Choice Theory, and Parallel Thinking, and gain practical tools for stress management and resilience building. Developed by two cognitive psychologists with over 50 years of expertise, MindFulChoice™ is your toolbox for mastering life's choices and challenges.

MindFulChoice™ provides individuals of virtually all ages the ability to live by intention and not impulse, become fully aware of their possibilities, and make the best choices for success. This class will detail the workings of the MindFulChoice™ System and how you can use this process with your clients to generate clarity, focus, energy, and wellbeing.

(Trainer, Sherry S. Kelly, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist who is an expert in CBT, as well as Positive Psychology based therapies. Dr Kelly is the Co-Chair of the Connecticut Psychological Association's Child & Family Committee and the Chair of the Parenting & Education Committee. She is recognized for her work on resilience therapies and providing crisis intervention training.

Trainer, Gerard Meyer, PhD, is a physiologist and bio-psychologist. He is the co-developer of the MindfulChoice® positive psychology approaches in therapy and coaching. He is a cognitive ergonomist who has investigated human response patterns of decision making under stress while directing a living laboratory at Carnegie-Mellon University and with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). His research on perception, memory, reasoning, and motor response led to developing the MindfulChoice™️ clinical strategies for therapy. He has developed a person-centered, person-in-the-loop approach and investigated all aspects of cognition as a means for optimizing well-being and system performance. Dr. Meyer’s research at Carnegie-Mellon University included mental workload, decision-making, skilled performance, human-computer interface, human reliability, work stress and training.)

Class B
What’s SBIRT Got to Do with IT? Integration for Clinical Practice (4 CE Credits)

Research has demonstrated that using the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) model in various settings improves outcomes for clients with Substance Use Disorder. SBIRT involves rapid screening to assess substance use severity, followed by brief interventions to enhance awareness and motivation for change, and referral to specialized treatment for those requiring more extensive care. SBIRT has been shown to be effective in numerous settings including hospital emergency room departments, OB-GYN practices, primary care practices, detention centers, and public school and college health centers.

How might SBIRT be implemented in clinical practices? How might clinicians utilize SBIRT as a way to make a connection and link clients to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment? This webinar will equip clinicians with the knowledge and skills to tackle excessive alcohol and drug use, utilizing the SBIRT model to address substance abuse issues in the communities we serve. By applying the SBIRT approach in clinical settings, clinicians can effectively screen for risk, conduct brief interventions, and connect clients to suitable resources for further treatment.

(Trainer, Lisa Connors, PhD, LCPC, is the Associate Pastor of In His Image International Ministry in Maryland. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Bachelor Social Worker, National Certified Counselor, Master Addiction Counselor, Board-Certified Coach, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Grief Informed Professional, and is a Fellow in Thanatology [the study of death, dying, and bereavement]. In addition to her pastoral and clinical work, she is a college professor and consultant/trainer. Ms. Connors has a Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Divinity, and Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degrees and has completed her doctoral studies in Psychology.)

Evening Sessions
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Class A
Differences not Deficits: Using a Strengths-Based Approach in Working with Neurodivergent Clients (3 CE Credits)

Whether you have read emerging research on the topic, stumbled across trending videos on Tik Tok, or learned from listening to your clients, chances are that you’ve heard the term neurodiversity. But what is that exactly? This training will explore the current shift from conventional perspectives on neurodevelopmental diagnoses to the neurodiverse-affirming approach which looks at brain differences as naturally occurring and worthy of inclusion and recognition.

We will primarily focus our discussion on the topic of autism, and we will discuss the research supporting this shift in how we view autism, the language we use, and how to work with and support autistic clients.

(Trainer: Christina Scott, LPCC-S, NCC is a licensed counselor and supervisor in Ohio. A proud geek therapist, she utilizes superheroes and pop culture in her work with clients. She is a Registered Play Therapist and is certified in Trauma Focused CBT. Christina owns an online private practice called Rising Action Counseling. She chose this field because she loves connecting with others and is a life-long learner. When she is not providing clinical services, Christina teaches Continuing Education courses on topics such as Positive Psychology, neurodivergence, trauma-informed care, Play Therapy, sleep disorders and dreamwork, and using media/pop culture in counseling. Christina is a Registered Play Therapist, certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and she is a Nationally Certified Counselor. More recently, Christina became a Certified Integrative Mental Health Practitioner and obtained certification as an Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. Christina co-authored a chapter in the book, Using Superheroes and Villains in Counseling and Play Therapy: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals. She is the President for the Southeast chapter of Ohio Counseling Association. Christina is passionate about leadership and advocacy work.)

Class B

Helping Your Clients Cope with Separation and Divorce (3 CE Credits)

With approximately 50% of the population in the US experiencing divorce, many clinicians find that they encounter challenges in managing clients as they present an array of divorce related issues that arise during the clinical process. This course will provide practical skills such as co-parent counseling, reunification counseling, working with the effects of divorce on children, and parenting support skills, to address the many facets that this transition presents when working with clients of all ages.

As clinicians we have seen the stuck client. In this session, we will discuss effective ways to assist your clients in managing anger and emotions during interactions with their ex-partner. Our goal is to guide them in addressing the multiple losses associated with the divorce process, fostering their growth in manageable incremental steps. The workshop will delve into the complexities of the divorce process and explore the myriad issues connected to it.

(Trainer, Alyse November, PHD, LCSW has been providing psychotherapy for more than 30 years to individuals across the lifespan focusing on a variety of issues ranging from anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, personality disorders, TBI, aging, chronic illness, divorce, Dr. November is the founder of Different Like Me. She is certified in EMDR, and Brainspotting. Dr. November is also a published author, national speaker, NASW Chair, Supreme Court Family Mediator, parenting coordinator and sits on several boards.

Trainer, Stephanie Newberg, LCSW, MEd. is a licensed psychotherapist working in private practice with individuals, couples, and families. She specializes in working with families who are involved in a high conflict divorce. Stephanie is a trained family and divorce mediator, co-parent counselor and reunification specialist. She has taught numerous workshops, has publications on divorce, conflict resolution, and grief and loss. In addition, Stephanie has taught at the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research of Bryn Mawr College for 12 years.) 

Day 2, January 24, 2024
9:30 am to 12:30 pm EST

Select one of the following classes
Class A

Oh, You Got Jokes Now: The Role of Humor as Intervention in the Clinical Relationship (3 CE Credits)

This class provides a "deep dive" into the ethical and mindful use of humor as intervention in psychotherapy and other helping professions. Over the course of the class, participants will learn about the known history of humor in our species and in the psychotherapy profession. The research about humor, both as used in psychotherapy and as studied more widely, will be reviewed. We will explore humor in light of various theories including power dynamics, CBT, DBT, and SFBT.

Through all of this, several primary purposes and uses of humor will be identified. We will also explore potential signs that humor is the wrong choice in the moment. The instructor will share their own experiences with using humor well in session, and participants will have the chance to share their own stories.

(Trainer, Glenn Maloney, LICSW, LADC C-DBT, is a father, psychotherapist, writer, and educator who is employed by the College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN. Glenn has become increasingly engaged in study and writing about the role of humor in psychotherapy and the other helping professions over the past several years, and is working with publishers to release a book he recently completed on the topic. Glenn enjoys writing poetry as well, and released his first volume of collected works, "Twelve Poems" in 2023; he also enjoys hiking, camping, video games, and listening to hip hop.)

Class B

Empty Arms and Healing Hearts: A Clinician's Guide to Understanding and Treating Infertility and Pregnancy Loss (3 CE Credits)

Approximately 10-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), infertility rates continue to rise. While demand for fertility treatment goes up, the mental health infrastructure is not prepared to treat individuals who are experiencing this kind of loss. According to reproductive psychology expert, Julie Bindeman PsyD., “there is a vast silence around pregnancy and infant loss in our society and it extends to clinical training programs.”

Healthcare professionals often underestimate the emotional distress of early pregnancy loss. Known as the “Secret Grief”, hopeful parents are often left to navigate their emotions alone. As mental health clinicians, it is our ethical responsibility to meet the demands of this vulnerable population by expanding our competence in the areas of infertility and pregnancy loss.

(Trainer, Amy Santus, LMSW, CCM, serves as a supervisor for social work for limited licensed professionals. Trained in EMDR, Mrs. Santus specializes in trauma within her private practice in Lake Orion, Michigan. As a result of her own reproductive story, Mrs. Santus has focused her education and training around best practices for clinicians, when working with clients experiencing infertility and pregnancy loss.)

1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Select one of the following classes
Class A

Supporting Blacks in Combating the Distress of Overt and Covert Racial Discrimination through Anti-racist Therapy Intervention (3 CE Credits – Cultural Competence)

Explore the profound impact of racism, recognized as a pandemic by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2020, on the life outcomes of Black individuals. Delve into the distinctions between overt and covert racism, considering exposure to racism as a form of trauma. The workshop will shed light on health outcomes associated with racial trauma, supported by relevant statistics, and introduce the Diathesis Stress Theory.

In this experiential workshop, participants will engage in an interactive discussion that provides an overview of the current manifestations of racism in 2023. The session will highlight correlated mental health outcomes and incorporate the Diathesis Stress Theory, along with the Biopsychosocial Model. Attendees will gain insights into specific anti-racist techniques, seamlessly integrated with traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approaches. You will leave this training equipped with a unique toolkit to address the mental health impact of racism and contribute to fostering positive change.

(Trainer, Eugena K. Griffin, Ph.D. received her degree in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of South Carolina (USC) in 2008 and began her research interest in coping typologies in response to racial stress among Black adults. Dr. Griffin obtained licensure as a Clinical Psychologist in the state of New York December, 2010. As a Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Griffin provides comprehensive assessments and psychotherapy to impoverished and disenfranchised children, adolescents, and adults presenting with mild to severe mental health concerns. Dr. Griffin holds a tenured-Associate Professor of Psychology position at City University of New York where she provides instruction and mentorship to a diverse undergraduate student population. She is the author of the books, Letters to the Black Community and The Steps I Took: How My Journey to Success Can Help Guide Your Success)

Class B

Assessment and Intervention Skills for Community Crisis Intervention (3 CE Credits)

Mental health professionals in community services and private practice commonly encounter people in distress experiencing crisis situations. These situations can be complex and require balancing client needs, organizational demands, safety concerns, and professional ethics within a limited time frame. Questions of whether to involve police and when to refer a client to a hospital can add pressure to an already difficult situation. This presentation will provide a roadmap of knowledge and skills to quickly and effectively address several types of crisis situations that are common among adults in clinical settings, including suicidal ideation, self-harm, psychosis-related distress, addiction, intimate partner violence, risk to harm others, and family conflict. The practice insights discussed are relevant to preventing harm and loss of life while facilitating engagement between clients and mental health services.

This presentation provides an overview of crisis intervention in North America, incorporating a brief literature review on common crisis situations. It delves into essential practice skills, such as engaging complex clients, de-escalating tension, risk assessment, safety planning, addressing family conflict, offering addiction counseling, connecting clients with community resources, and documenting services in compliance with relevant regulations. The discussion will extend to issues of racism, poverty, patriarchy, stigma, and discrimination in crisis intervention. This session includes breakout room discussions and case studies to enhance the learning experience.

(Trainer, Amar Ghelani is a registered social worker, PhD Candidate, and instructor with the Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Social Work in Ontario, Canada. He has over 17 years of social work practice experience in crisis intervention, addiction rehabilitation, shelters, prisons, schools, outpatient mental health, and healthcare settings. He has extensive practice experience in crisis intervention, worked on a police-partnered mobile crisis intervention team, and published research in this area.)

Evening Sessions
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Class A

Ethics and Implicit Bias in Counseling (3 CE Credits – Ethics)

Delve into the evolving ethical landscape of counseling and therapy, navigating the challenges brought about by global changes and the shift to virtual healthcare. This training focuses on the impact of implicit bias, and the need for professionals to provide unbiased care across diverse demographics. Explore the disproportionate effects of implicit bias on BIPOC communities, with insights into research-backed strategies for rectification. This session emphasizes the significance of intentionality and ongoing commitment to foster benevolent care, offering practical approaches to maintain ethical standards and cultural competence in the dynamic realm of virtual counseling.

Participants will engage with current dilemmas arising from the expansion of healthcare into the virtual world and learn strategies to manage implicit bias effectively. This training will equip helping professionals with the tools to reduce harm and ensure ethical, unbiased care for clients navigating vulnerability in their pursuit of assistance.

(Trainer, Tyler Mabry, LCPC-S, C-DBT, CTRP, is a compassionate Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She dedicates herself to addressing mental health disparities in the black community. Inspired by the daily traumas faced in school, work, and home, she pursued a counseling career. With certifications in DBT and Trauma & Resilience, Tyler skillfully guides clients to trust their emotions and develop coping skills. Recognized as an approved supervisor by the Maryland Board of Counselors, she mentors and provides impactful trainings, reflecting her commitment to counseling and fellow clinicians. Tyler Mabry, with expertise, empathy, and a passion for social change, makes a profound difference in clients' lives and professional growth.)

Class B

Meeting the Needs of Children and Adolescents with Autism: Understanding the Variance, Manifestation, and Strategies to Provide Tailored Supports and Services (3 CE Credits)

This class offers a comprehensive exploration of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its diverse manifestations across the continuum, with a specific emphasis on the pediatric and adolescent populations. Given the intricate nature and frequent co-morbidities associated with ASD, participants will gain invaluable insights into advanced techniques and strategies aimed at anticipating, analyzing, and resolving complex behaviors. This includes the development of effective behavior plans, implementation of self-monitoring systems, and the utilization of visual schedules as practical solutions. Additionally, this new training provides a nuanced perspective on the multifaceted challenges confronted by parents and presents opportunities for providing meaningful support.

(Trainer, Dr. Christina Marsack-Topolewski, PhD., LMSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified special education teacher and consultant. She is an associate professor of Social Work in the College of Health and Human Services at Eastern Michigan University. She has worked with individuals with autism and other intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDDs) for over 20 years. She has over 70 peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals and encyclopedias, mainly focusing on adults with IDDs, service delivery, future planning, caregiving, and aging.)