First Annual CE You!
Winter Virtual Conference!

January 11 - 12, 2022
2 Days, Up to 18 CE Credits!

Join us for our First Annual CE You!
Winter Virtual Conference!
This Conference will take place completely online.


This 2 day program is jam packed with training and will
provide you with up to 18 Live Interactive CE Credits

The full conference includes Ethics as well as Cultural Competence!

You can attend the full conference or select specific classes to attend.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Winter Virtual Conference Schedule 2021

Click class name to scroll to details. All times listed are EST.
Day 1 10:00 AM
12:00 PM
  1. Post-Pandemic Growth: Using a Positive Psychology Lens for Healing in a New Landscape (2 CE Credits)
12:40 PM
5:00 PM
  1. The Power of Storytelling in Building Relationships with Clients (4 CE Credits)
  2. Mindful Writing for Healing and Growth (4 CE Credits)
6:00 PM
9:00 PM
  1. Navigating The Challenging Road of Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health (3 CE Credits – Ethics)
  2. Career Counseling and Grief; providing career support for parents of a child with a chronic or terminal illness (3 CE Credits)
Day 2 10:00 AM
1:00 AM
  1. The Intersection of Faith and Intimate Partner Abuse (3 CE Credits – Cultural Competence)
  2. Facilitating the Right PATH (Promoting Attachment and Trauma Healing) for Parents/Caregivers (3 CE Credits)
2:00 PM
5:00 PM
  1. Unlocking the Keys To Motivational Interviewing (3 CE Credits)
  2. Getting Clarity in the First Session Using ISTDP (Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) (3 CE Credits)
6:00 PM
9:00 PM
  1. YOU Are the Cake: Evidence-based methods for showing up in the room (3 CE Credits)
  2. Ethics and Authenticity in Play Therapy: Using Self Disclosure as a tool (3 CE credits – Ethics)

Day 1, January 11, 2022

10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST


Post-Pandemic Growth: Using a Positive Psychology Lens for Healing in a New Landscape (2 CE Credits)

Positive psychology challenges the idea that success stops with bringing clients to their baseline. The idea of a baseline in an unprecedented global pandemic seems shaky at the least. Using the concept of posttraumatic growth, this strengths-based approach emphasizes working past alleviation of suffering, past merely surviving, into a place of thriving. This training offers guiding principles and specific tools for clinicians, identifying the goals and rationale of this approach in a post-pandemic world.

(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.)

12:40 pm - 5:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

The Power of Storytelling in Building Relationships with Clients (4 CE Credits)

The Power of Storytelling in Building Relationships with Clients will use creative exercises, partner activities and writing prompts to guide participants through discussion around two core elements in building relationships with clients: listening (LARA) and sharing (storytelling).

Have you ever taken a moment to pause and think about your process for storytelling? To reflect on your experiences of sharing and receiving stories? In mental health work, we are constantly engaging with others' stories. Many of us need access to others' stories in order to do our own work. But is there a more effective way to listen to others' stories? More than this, is there a way to experience telling our own stories more fully?

This workshop will reintroduce participants to the power of storytelling. Participants will be given the space to reflect on the process of sharing story, the process of effective listening and how strengthening these areas can be beneficial to their clients.

Are you ready to relearn the power of story?

(Trainer: MORGAN BREON graduated from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in 2011 (Dual Bachelors in Psychology and English), 2012 (Masters in Social Work) and 2013 (Masters in Education Policy and Leadership). Morgan’s core passion is fostering healing and support for Black youth and young adults. In addition to facilitating youth workshops for over 8 years, Morgan was the Behavior Specialist for the 9th Grade Academy at Denby High School in 2017, and most recently served as the Manager of Behavior and Culture for the Detroit Community Education Commission. In 2017, Morgan decided to incorporate theatre into her “healing work,” and founded Heal.Be.Live., LLC, a for-profit company that uses “art to heal a variety of communities through guided discussion and connections to available resources. #ARTivism.”)

Class B

Mindful Writing for Healing and Growth (4 CE Credits)

Participants will write, reflect, meditate and engage in discussions about what it means to free ourselves from fragmentation and to find ourselves whole again. Fragmentation of the self has unintended consequences. Often, the consequences are depression, anxiety and blocked creativity. At the root of this there is fear. Fear of losing what we know, fear of the unknown. Fear comes from attachment to particular outcomes.

This class is informed by the Buddhist way of living and seeing the world. We’ll focus on the four Noble Truths: 1) There is suffering in life. 2) The cause of suffering is craving. 3) There is an end to suffering when we stop craving. 4) There is a path which leads away from craving and suffering. We’ll also discuss the four “immesurables:” Love, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy and Equanimity.

This class is designed for individuals who are curious about how to integrate the multiple parts of our lives into a cohesive wholeness. Practitioners will learn practices that help people live with integrity and excellence, become more alive and creative, learn mindful movement and more! This class is for individuals interested in creating more psychological flexibility, so they can help people embrace life with curiosity, detachment and depth.

(Trainer, Dr. Marianela Medrano was born and raised in the Dominican Republic and has lived in Connecticut since 1990. A poet and a writer of nonfiction and fiction, she holds a PhD in psychology. Her literary work has appeared in anthologies and magazines in Latin America, Europe and the United States. Her poetry has been translated into Italian and French. She is the founder of Palabra Counseling & Training Center, LLC.)

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Navigating The Challenging Road of Ethical Dilemmas in Mental Health (3 CE Credits – Ethics)

Ethical dilemmas can sometimes leave you at a crossroads! As clinicians, we encounter roadblocks which can cloud our decision making and lead to the wrong course of action. When ethical violations are made, it is most disheartening to know the harm caused to the clients we serve.

To aid clinicians in navigating this challenging road of ethical dilemmas in-person and virtually, this interactive course will take you on a personal journey to do the right thing. Clinicians will learn to apply foundational ethical principles and use best practices such as the Code of Ethics and decision-making models when faced with ethical dilemmas.

(Trainer: Alesha Perkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and North Carolina and a Certified Case Manager. Alesha has over 19 years of experience in the social work field with focuses on medical social work, child protective services, case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling. Ten years ago she began her instructional career providing ethics trainings to dialysis providers, and since then has created and facilitated numerous trainings for mental health and medical professionals. Alesha is a former Clinical Director for a mental health agency and currently works for a health insurance provider as a Program Manager. In addition, she provides clinical supervision and is an instructor for Perkins Medical Services which is family-owned and has been in business for 21 years.)

Class B

Self motivation is key! Career Counseling and Grief; providing career support for parents of a child with a chronic or terminal illness (3 CE Credits)

This presentation will examine how a child’s chronic or terminal illness can alter a parent's life and career. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding, based on real life stories of parents who care for a child with a chronic or terminal illness, of how their chronic stress and grief can impact their career.

This presentation will share counseling resources that encourage career maintenance and growth during such trials. We will discuss career theories and counseling strategies to help clients attain an appropriate work life balance. Therapists will gain insights into communication with this special population of employees who find themselves in the grip of intense stress that challenges their ability to meet the responsibilities of their job and profession.

Disclosure: This class includes real life narratives of parents and pictures of their child with chronic or terminal illness.

(Trainer, Mary Rose Tichar, a licensed and certified career counselor, guides people towards their full potential and a life of meaning and purpose. Her personal experience with loss and grief inspired her work with adults struggling to maintain their job during their child’s illness and/or after the death of their child. Mary Rose was a guest speaker for Restoring a Mother’s Heart retreat in 2017, the National Career Development Association conference in 2019, and the graduate counseling program at Cleveland State University in Cleveland OH in 2020.)

Day 2 – January 12, 2022

10:00 am – 1:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

The Intersection of Faith and Intimate Partner Abuse (3 CE Credits – Cultural Competence)

Faith or religious beliefs can present a barrier to safety for individuals experiencing Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). Likewise, many people outline their faith and beliefs as justifications for abusive behaviors. This workshop will provide a foundational understanding of the intersection of faith and IPV. Participants will gain strategies to support survivors as they navigate safety, their identified obligations to their religious beliefs, and their associated emotions.

This workshop will also address worker cultural humility and the need for culturally appropriate intervention strategies addressing the intersections of faith/religion, gender identity, race/culture and intimate partner violence.

(Trainer, Chandra Dawson, LISW, LCSW is a social worker with over 20 years of social work practice serving various marginalized populations primarily comprised of communities of color. She has years of organizational experience including crisis intervention, supervision, training, project management and senior leadership within organizations serving domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and numerous marginalized populations. She is the founder of The MACRO Project where she supports organizations in addressing the trauma-informed intersectional service and advocacy needs of individuals and communities.)

Class B

Facilitating the Right PATH (Promoting Attachment and Trauma Healing) for Parents/Caregivers (3 CE Credits)

Because building resilience is all about relationships, it’s critical that we help the parents and caregivers of the children we serve to have the tools and support they need. This presentation will be centered around ATN’s PATH framework (Promoting Attachment and Trauma Healing) and how this framework can increase understanding, build and strengthen skills and grow emotional resiliency of parents and caregivers. We will focus on the relational aspects of attunement and attachment, and the importance of recognizing co-regulation as the key to acquiring self-regulation skills. We will also discuss how trauma shows up in the classroom and discuss how to help caregivers become advocates for their children impacted by trauma.

(Trainer, Ginger Healy LCSW has worked as a social worker in the field of child and family services, hospital trauma and international adoption. She is currently the parent program director for the Attachment and Trauma Network. She has been twice awarded the Angels in Adoption Award and is married with four children).

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Unlocking the Keys To Motivational Interviewing (3 CE Credits)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a popular client-centered form of counseling that helps clients to reason their way to the conclusion that they need to change their behaviors. This training will provide the fundamentals of MI. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in interactive activities to put this technique into action.

(Trainer: Alesha Perkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and North Carolina and a Certified Case Manager. Alesha has over 19 years of experience in the social work field with focuses on medical social work, child protective services, case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling. Ten years ago she began her instructional career providing ethics trainings to dialysis providers, and since then has created and facilitated numerous trainings for mental health and medical professionals. Alesha is a former Clinical Director for a mental health agency and currently works for a health insurance provider as a Program Manager. In addition, she provides clinical supervision and is an instructor for Perkins Medical Services which is family-owned and has been in business for 21 years.)

(Trainer, Vicki-Lynn Brown is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina and holds a retired license as a Certified Case Manager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Education from Colgate University in Hamilton NY and her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ms. Brown’s 27-year career in social work included conducting groups for research and coordinating research studies in areas such as coping skills in children, parenting skills, and mother baby communication. She has been a group facilitator for men charged with domestic violence. Vicki began teaching Motivational Interviewing to case managers and obtained certification from Auburn University Motivational Interviewing Training Institute (AUMITI) in 2007. Vicki remained a social work case manager and Motivational Interviewing Trainer for 16 years. She is now semi-retired.)

Class B

Getting Clarity in the First Session Using ISTDP (Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy) (3 CE Credits)

ISTDP is an evidence-based, accelerated psychotherapy which draws from psychoanalytic theory, neuroscience and attachment theory. Developed by Dr. Habib Davanloo, this approach is experiential and relational, privileging the patient's emotional experiencing within the context of the therapeutic relationship, thus providing a corrective emotional experience where all the patient's feelings can be validated and explored. The therapist is active and engaged, tracking the patient's response to intervention moment by moment, monitoring the patient's anxiety level and helping the patient recognize and relinquish those defenses which perpetuate their suffering. This workshop provides an overview of key principles in ISTDP, with particular emphasis on how to offer clarity and hope in the first session.

(Trainers: Adele Natter, LICSW, LCSW-C and Mary Blotzer, LCSW-C. Adele Natter, LICSW, LCSW-C is a clinician with more than 40 years of experience, provides psychotherapy to adults, adolescents and children. She is on the faculties of the Psychiatry Residency Program at George Washington University and the School of Professional Psychology at GWU. She holds advanced certificates in ISTDP, child and adolescent therapy and in DBT.)

(Trainer: Mary Blotzer, LCSW-C has been in practice for more than 35 years and completed her core training in ISTDP at the ISTDP Institute in Washington, D.C. She is the co-author of Sometimes you just want to feel like a human being: case studies in empowering psychotherapy for persons with disabilities.)

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

YOU Are the Cake: Evidence-based methods for showing up in the room (3 CE Credits)

Therapist Hillary Bolter says ”Early on in my days as a therapist, a mentor said to me, ‘YOU are the cake, Hillary’. What does cake have to do with being a therapist?! She explained further, ‘Who YOU are, how YOU show up with clients, THAT is the bulk of our work as therapists. The skills and tools we bring to sessions are the icing, but remember, YOU are the cake.’ "

In this session, we will play around with the synthesis of the roots of humanistic psychology, Motivational Interviewing spirit, and who we are as therapists as tools to enhance the change process with clients. We are in this business to help people change! Come learn about the key ingredients to this process! Ms. Bolter will also share recent findings from 70 years of psychotherapy research from the 2021 book by Bill Miller & Theresa Moyers. Enhance your flavor of cake, and learn evidence-based methods of showing up in the room.

(Trainer Hillary Bolter, has been a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2011. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Addiction Therapist, and absolutely delights in helping individuals, groups, and organizations learn the essential skills of Motivational Interviewing! Hillary has worked as a helping professional for 20 years. Her experiences range from working in wilderness therapy to community mental health to providing in-home & school based services. She has been a therapist with specialties including working with veterans, anxiety, trauma, and addictions.

Class B

Ethics and Authenticity in Play Therapy: Using Self Disclosure as a tool (3 CE credits – Ethics)

The debate regarding the use of therapist self-disclosure in therapy sessions has been a long-standing dilemma for many mental health therapists. With research studies primarily focused on the use of self-disclosure with adult clients, the verdict is still out as to whether self-disclosure is appropriate and when it might be helpful. Limited research is available regarding the use of self-disclosure with child clients, and play therapists are tasked with the ethical decision of whether to engage in self-disclosure, how much and in what context self-disclosure is appropriate and how this might look during a play therapy session with a child.

This training focuses on examining the research that is available, discussing ethical considerations in the use of self-disclosure as well as exploring the types of self-disclosure and the possible reasons for engaging in self-disclosure as a therapeutic tool. The training will focus on the play therapy model of Synergetic Play Therapy, discussing elements of resonance, window of tolerance and co-regulation. During this training, the facilitator will discuss anecdotal case studies pertaining to using self-disclosure - identifying both positive and negative experiences. Interventions and techniques will be discussed as to how to utilize appropriate experiential self-disclosure in the play therapy room.

(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.)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER