Training fee: $45
Instructor: Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

There are growing concerns about the prevalence of aggression and violence perpetrated by clients against behavioral healthcare workers. Verbal de-escalation is the recommended first-line response, comprising a range of short-term psychosocial interventions aimed at reducing harm. In this course, participants will evaluate their personal reactions to stressful encounters while learning to better manage individuals presenting with agitation and aggression. The use of video and role play will complement the learning process.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

•  Identify strategies for personal emotion and physiologic regulation when under stress
•  Discuss the signs, symptoms and causes of psychomotor agitation
•  Describe the process of psychological escalation and de-escalation
•  Demonstrate a compassionate interpersonal style when managing agitated individuals
• Apply effective interventions to prevent escalation and to de-escalate a person in crisis

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: Free
Instructor: Christopher Owens, MA, LPC, CCTP, and Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

Traumatic events are a near-ubiquitous human experience substantiating the need for a trauma-informed system of care. In this course, traumatic responses will be reviewed, including the ways in which these responses may manifest over time. Principles of trauma-informed care will be addressed, with an emphasis on increased awareness and universal screening. Trauma-informed practices will be summarized, and empirically supported trauma-specific modalities will be described. Resiliency factors will be identified in terms of prevention and intervention. Post-traumatic growth will be explored as a means of developing new meaning and insight following traumatic experiences.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss trauma-related disorders, including developmental trauma disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder
• Explain how trauma impacts the individual
• Define trauma-informed care and its utility in the helping professions
• Describe trauma-informed practices and trauma-specific treatment
• Evaluate the role of resilience and post-traumatic growth in trauma services

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

This course is full.

Training fee: $45
Instructor: Brenda J. Weaver, MA, CPRP

Mental health service providers often struggle to adequately understand and appropriately meet the needs of people of color and diverse life pathways. Being race neutral or color blind, or attempting to treat all equally, more often impedes recovery and challenges engagement, treatments and rehabilitation efforts.

Legacies of oppressive structures, dismissive policies and practice inequities create an element of trauma that is significantly different from the dominant group’s trauma experiences.

This training presents a framework to enhance awareness of the striations of identity that individuals and communities embody, offering how-to tips to facilitate respectful dialogues about experiences with oppression, domination or discrimination. Based on the belief that naming a thing can change the thing, trauma-informed principles are used to craft an engaging and affirming process for deeper self-discovery and the boundless ways to self-define, be, and craft safe spaces that are inclusive, just, and actively resist marginalization and re-traumatization for all who seek services, supports and well-being.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Define the concepts of power, privileges, oppressive structures, bias, disparities, inequality and marginality in the context of mental health recovery
• Describe current social, political and clinical theoretical formulations and implications
• Discuss intersectionality, the complexities of identity development, accumulated “isms” and sense of self
• Outline the unspoken risks and vulnerabilities that accompany race trauma and their impact on recovery efforts
• Identify intentional actions to transform the consequences of oppression on our bodies, hearts and minds

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: $45
Instructor: Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

The rates of suicide among teens have risen sharply in recent decades. From 2007 to 2015, the rate for girls ages 15-19 doubled, while during that same period, suicide rates for teenage boys increased 30%. In addition, attempted suicide has become the most common reason for acute hospitalization, with the highest rates among females ages 15-19. The reasons behind these increases are varied and complex and include environmental as well as psychiatric factors. This course explores the myriad risk factors for teen suicide and offers evidence-based strategies for assessment, treatment and prevention.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Examine the building blocks that support healthy development in teens
• Discuss the principal risk factors that may lead to suicidal behavior among teens
• Identify useful strategies and tools for screening and assessing suicidal youth
• Describe empirically supported treatment approaches tailored to this population
• Discuss effective suicide prevention programs for adolescents

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: $45
Instructor: Christopher Owens, MA, LPC, CCTP

This course examines the basis, definition, goals, and key elements of motivational interviewing (MI) as an approach to help people decide to make behavioral changes. Participants will be able to experience and contrast traditional approaches to behavior change to those proposed by MI. They will review the underlying spirit that drives MI interventions and observe examples of MI in practice. Finally, participants will have an opportunity to apply some of the basic strategies of MI and discuss how these could be useful in their interactions with people receiving behavioral healthcare services.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Outline Prochaska and DiClemente’s stages of change and how they are useful in understanding human readiness to change behaviors
• Apply aspects of motivational interviewing to the self through various individual and group exercises
• Identify the four elements of the spirit of motivational interviewing
• Explore basic concepts of MI, specifically OAR (open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflective listening)
• Describe how they can use the spirit of motivational interviewing in their own work settings and/or personal lives

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: $45
Instructor: Christopher Owens, MA, LPC, CCTP, and Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

Being a teenager is challenging enough, but what happens when trauma enters the picture?  Rapid developmental changes combined with trauma-related psychological and behavioral issues become an added difficulty for adolescents and their support networks. The struggle to make sense of it all may trigger substance use, self-injury, and sensation-seeking behaviors as efforts to cope. These factors also strain relationships, and lead to inaccurate diagnoses and misguide interventions. This training will discuss trauma-related symptoms and developmental influences, as well as current evidence-based approaches to treatment and strategies for partnering with caregivers. The power of resiliency and hope are highlighted as practical reminders that growth and change are always possible!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Identify trauma-related symptoms and behaviors in adolescent youth
• Explain cultural and individual variables that ​affect adolescents who have experienced trauma
• Discuss core issues related to developmental trauma disorder, including the impact on intrapersonal, interpersonal, regulatory and neurocognitive competencies
• Describe appropriate evidence-based interventions for this population
• Examine ways to partner with caregivers to assist in better managing trauma-induced symptoms

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: $45
Instructor: Brenda J. Weaver, MA, CPRP

Transitional aged youth (TAY), a demographic spanning ages 15–25, are experiencing a human developmental stage that encompasses the time between being a child and becoming an adult. It involves a formative transition characterized by changes, risk-taking and a heightened vulnerability for mental illness and other health conditions.

This unique group of individuals who, according to a national youth mental health survey, “lack developmentally appropriate connections and experience limited to no meaningful preparation or guidance for adulthood” (WHO, 2020), are least likely to seek or acknowledge a need for help and more likely than any other age group to experience isolation, barriers to access and service gaps.

Current research highlights the dire need for relational capacity and a sneakers-on-the-ground approach to making case management a pivotal resource to effectively meet and greet transitional aged youth. This population requires services designed specifically to help navigate gaps, broker across systems and form successful alliances. Practitioners must engage in activities that identify needs and develop allies to support therapeutic efforts, providing incentives and being guideposts to growth along the way. This web-based training integrates case management technology with current youth-centered perspectives and evidenced practices into tips and tools that help practitioners and youth survive and thrive, leaving them able to plan, navigate and access meaningful transition-to-adult-life sensibilities, skills, services and supports.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the need for a youth-centered approach to case management service delivery
• Describe principles, life contexts and the intersections of systems and services
• Discuss evidenced youth-specific practices and key developmental skills to manage changes, develop understanding of adult methods and make meaningful choices
• Review applicable state regulations and processes for determining necessity, expectations and role functions within youth life contexts and environments
• Practice crafting an integrated healthy adult transition service

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: $18
Instructor: Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

Suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States and worldwide. Most individuals who die by suicide had a diagnosable mental illness at their time of death. As behavioral health practitioners, it is imperative that we are identifying, assessing and treating suicidality with empirically supported approaches and interventions. This course provides a broad discussion of challenges and competencies related to our work with those experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the relevance of suicide education in behavioral healthcare
• Examine risk and protective factors for suicide
• Describe general strategies and tools for screening and assessing suicide risk
• Identify recommended approaches for treating people at risk for suicide

CE Credits:
APA-2; CPRP-2; LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-2; NBCC-2; PA Act48-2; PCB-2; PSNA-2; IACET-.2

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Training fee: $45
Instructor: Christopher Owens, MA, LPC, CCTP, and Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

The impact on the entire family when any member experiences trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often overlooked. This course examines the range of responses in family members, the concept and reality of secondary trauma, and current approaches for treatment and related interventions for family members.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between family therapy and family psychoeducation in their efficacy for helping family members
• Examine cultural factors in a family’s response to trauma
• Discuss the manifestations of secondary trauma in family members
• Describe risk factors for co-occurring disorders such as substance-related disorders
• Use information about current effective intervention approaches with families

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

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Training fee: Free
Instructor: Lindsay Martin, PhD, LPC, NCC

Research clearly demonstrates that the single biggest predictor of therapeutic success is the strength of the clinical relationship. The helper’s ongoing focus on engagement is central to this alliance. Awareness of the importance of engagement, however, does not mitigate the myriad obstacles that interfere with developing and maintaining rapport. This course will define the concept of engagement and highlight its significance in clinical settings. Additionally, barriers will be discussed from the practitioner’s perspective. Strategies will also be provided to assist helpers in improving engagement with those they serve.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Describe engagement as a primary factor of importance in clinical outcomes
• Identify at least three barriers to engagement
• List several strategies to enhance engagement

CE Credits:
APA-3; CPRP-3; LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-3; NBCC-3; PA Act48-3; PCB-3; PSNA-3; IACET-.3

This course is full.

Training fee: $45
Instructor: Brenda J. Weaver, MA, CPRP

This OMHSAS-reviewed, web-based training builds a knowledge base for the role, task and performance expectations for targeted case management (TCM) service delivery. The content is guided by the service goals identified within PA Regulation Chapter 5221 and the National Association of Case Management definition, standards and ethics for practice. The course presents current best practices for working with individuals living with psychiatric conditions and life challenges, as determined by the environmental matrix. Welcome to the journey and thank you for the commitment.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this web-based training, participants will be able to:

• Describe the context for targeted case management services with an eye to the past, present and future possibilities
• Outline the role and character of a blended case management practitioner
• Identify the necessary practitioner skills, knowledge, qualities, values and guiding practice principles
• Summarize a day in the life – the daily activities for service success
• Generate a self-care and professional growth plan

CE Credits:
APA-5, CPRP-5, LSW/LCSW/LPC/LMFT-5, NBCC-5, PA Act48-5, PCB-5, PSNA-5, IACET-.5

Register for the webinar