Free Continuing Education Hours for Clinical Professionals!

March 29th, 2019 – The Epidemic of Opioid Dependence and Overdose

Course Objective:

To increase awareness and understanding of the disease of opioid dependence, the opioid crisis, and how to effectively treat patients with this disease.

August 8th, 2018 – Ethics of Care: A Discussion of Recent Treatment Guidelines for PTSD

Course Objective:

Provide an update on clinical practice guidelines in the management of PTSD
Discuss the epidemiology of trauma along with its biopsychosocial impact on the body, mind, and soul
Discuss the need for mental health care delivery systems entrenched in the traditional “group + med management” paradigm to shift to evidence-based approaches

June 22nd, 2018 – Therapeutic Benefits of Music in Substance Treatment

Course Objective:

Educate clinicians on the benefits of incorporating music into therapy
Understanding the impact of music on the brain
Comprehending the emotional memory associated with music
Learning simple tools for incorporating music into any practice

June 1st, 2018 – Chemical Dependency and DSM V: Diagnostic Updates in Acute & Chronic Substance Use Disorders

Course Objective:

Discuss the 11 diagnostic criterion for SUD’s (substance use disorders) as defined in the DSM 5
Identify and classify specific SUD updates and DSM 5 changes in coding
when compared to DSM-IV and explain and interpret how changes effect both clinicians and patients
Discussion and evaluation of the practical case studies to include
diagnostic criteria as discussed to enhance and determine symptoms among the clients

April 25th, 2018 – Co-Occurring Disorders: When Substance Use & Mental Health Disorders Collide

Course Objective:

Define “co-occurring disorders” and discuss the “chicken or the egg” dilemma
Describe the differences between a pre-existing mental illness and a substance-induced mental illness
Describe at least one ideological difference between mental health treatment and substance use treatment—and why this may be particularly important for adolescents with co-occurring disorders
Describe at least two para-professional strategies for working with juveniles experiencing co-occurring disorders

April 20th, 2018 – Understanding Trauma Informed Care & the Therapeutic Benefits of Tai Chi Therapy

Course Objective:

This course will examine how a Mind-Body practice, such as Tai Chi, is increasingly used to provide stress reduction for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There will also be discussion of ways in which Mind-Body practice encompasses activities with the intent to use the mind to impact physical functioning and improve health; Learners will gain an understanding of how Mind-Body practice incorporate numerous therapeutic effects on stress response, including reduction in anxiety, depression, and anger and increases in pain tolerance, self-esteem, energy levels, and ability to relax. Additionally, there will be a 30-minute interactive demonstration of differing Tai Chi exercises for seniors, adults, and kids

March 2018 – The Young Mind and the Impacts of Social Media

Course Objective:

This presentation will educate attendees of the effects of technology on the developing mind of children. Participants will gain knowledge on both the positive and negative effects of social media in adolescents, and how these are integrated into the behaviors we observe working with this population. Attendees will be provided with an understanding of how to best utilize this information in a therapeutic and/or school setting.

February 2018 – Suicide Prevention and Intervention

Course Objective:

Review recent statistics on suicide
Explore the difference between non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide
Identify acute risk factors and protective factors for suicide
Review the Linehan Risk Assessment and Management Protocol (L-RAMP)
Discuss prevention and intervention techniques
Review specific distress tolerance skills to manage crisis behaviors (i.e. suicide, NSSI)

January 2018 – Crisis & Response: An Introduction to Levels of Care at Cross Creek Hospital

Course Objective:

Participants will discover ways in which individuals access behavioral health care and assistance during the admissions process. Particular attention will be given to understanding how the facility triages with professionals in the community. Additionally, a clinical assessment protocols, a review of case inclusionary/exclusionary criteria and levels of care determinations will be discussed. The course will detail admissions process from beginning to end and highlight a patient’s inpatient stay and the complete continuum of care that is available to families and the community. A panel discussion with the Cross Creek Clinical team and a tour of the facility will follow the presentation.

November 2017 – Building a Peer Workforce: Certified Peer Specialist and Peer Recovery Coaches

Course Objective:

This presentation will educate attendees on the dynamics between a Certified Peer Specialist and a Peer Recovery Coach and what unique opportunities this workforce can bring into your organization’s community. You will be able to learn the additional pieces you can bring to your organization to assist your patrons. Attendees will leave with the learned knowledge of what a peer provider can bring to your services in addition to current practices.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be briefed on the differences of a Certified Peer Specialist and a Recovery Coach and how people with lived experience can support programs.
Participants will gain knowledge in evidence-based practices as it connects with recovery strategies utilized by Certified Peer Specialist and Recovery Coaches.
Participants will receive resources that will support a peer workforce and referral organizations that can assist your patrons.

October 2017 – Ethically Speaking: Consent vs. Confidentiality

Learning Objective:

While consent & confidentiality are often used interchangeably, they definitively do not mean the same thing. Participants will understand the nuances of providing consent to treatment and the guarantee of confidentiality or lack thereof. Additionally, exploration of the Texas Code to cite legal statutes supporting consent and confidentiality to recognize risk management issues and identify when it is appropriate to seek legal advisement.

September 2017 – ACE’s: Reducing the Impact of Traumatic Events and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Learning Objectives:

To facilitate an understanding of how traumatic events and experiences that occur early in life impact the health and social-emotional well-being throughout the lifespan. The presentation emphasizes a trauma-informed approach that can be implemented in any type of service setting or organization to address the consequences of trauma and to facilitate healing. Participants will engage in discussions and experiential activities to:

Gain a functional understanding of ACE’s
Explore strategies for implementing ACE’s screening and trauma-informed care
Obtain an understanding as to how adverse childhood experiences contribute to a variety of health and social-emotional issues

August 2017 – Building a School-Based Alcohol and Drug Awareness Prevention Program

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn effective methods of building a school-based substance abuse program that consists of Promotion, Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment.
Participants will be briefed on current trends, recent data and survey results pertaining to youth drug use in Texas.
Participants will learn how to overcome the struggles, barriers, and challenges when starting a substance abuse prevention program.

June 2017 – Applying Dialectical Behavior Therapy to Adolescents Who Self-Harm

Presented by Neathery Thurmond, LCSW, the learning objectives of this presentation include the following:

Participants will increase their understanding of self-harm in adolescents
Participants will develop a working knowledge of DBT
Participants will be provided experiential practice of techniques learned for
immediate use with clients

May 2017 – The Neuropsychiatry of Wellness: An Intersection of Mind, Body & Soul

In this presentation, Dr. Arlinghaus will highlight mental, physical, and spiritual contributions to wellness, focusing on mechanisms that connect the mind, body, and spirit. Participants will gain a richer appreciation of the science behind holistic approaches to healing as well as take away “pearls” for helping people live healthier, happier, and more meaningful lives.

April 2017 – Tai Chi: The Mysterious Healing Art

Tony Frank, B.A., L.C.D.C., has been working in the Behavioral Health field, specifically chemical dependency, for the past 28 years. He has worked in a variety of inpatient and outpatient milieus, including community-based, in-prison, private, and a psychiatric hospital. Mr. Frank is currently working at Travis County as the Program Coordinator/Case Manager of a specialty court to assist individuals who have been sexually exploited. Mr. Frank is also an avid Tai Chi practitioner and instructor. He has been a student of Tai Chi for the past 8 years and an instructor for the past 2 years. He has also done extensive research on how continuous practice of Tai Chi can benefit individuals suffering from a variety of mental disorders, as well as, physical limitations.

March 2017 – Ethical Challenges in Providing Mental Health Treatment in a Digital Environment

Course Objective:

Mental health treatment is no longer limited to the confines of an office-based, person-to-person setting. Large numbers of clinicians are now using video counseling, social networking websites, text messaging, avatar-based websites, self-guided online interventions, cell phone apps, and other digital media to provide clinical mental health services. This presentation will explore the digitalization of mental health service delivery and aid attendees in navigating the unique, ethical and risk-management challenges that exist in treatment.

February 2017 – Military Cultural Competence

Course Objective:

Many therapists have an interest in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and substance use issues in active duty service members, their family members, or in veterans of active service and their families. Understanding that this is a unique microcosm of our population is extremely important in forming a therapeutic relationship in which healing can occur and requires a “cultural competency”. This training provides an overview of military culture to include organizational structure, rank, branches of service, core values, and demographics as well as similarities and differences between the Active and Reserve components. It is intended to assist civilian mental health providers in better understanding, communicating and effectively interacting with Service members and their families.

January 2017 – New Approaches for Treating Substance Abuse in Millenials

Course Objective:

This presentation will educate attendees as to the unique challenges in working with millennial by unpacking their shared experiences and studying their worldview along with a discussion of the variances in their pattern of substance abuse. Attendees will learn new ways in which to understand, connect with, and support the millennial generation.

December 2016 – Facing Addiction in America: A Call to Action on the Surgeon General’s History-Making Report

Course Objective:

This course will highlight actionable strategies for changing the systems of care we use to prevent and treat substance abuse. It will also provide effective ways to share stories on addiction and connect with the media, using the recommendations and toolkits presented in the Surgeon General’s report.

November 2016 – In the Midst of Crisis: Managing Family Members on the Sidelines of a Crisis Intervention

Course Objectives:

Identify the impact of crisis situations on family members, and strategies for ensuring empathic, appropriate, and effective responses.
Examine the role of the interventionist across a multitude of situations, settings, and scenarios.
Examine response and interventions with families through a culturally competent lens.
Identify challenges that emerge when working with families during crisis situations.
Identify resources available for continued support post-crisis.

October 2016 – Trauma and the Emotional Cup: A New Perspective in Treating Clients

Participants will engage in discussions and experiential activities to:

Gain knowledge of what the Emotional Cup represents
Become aware of both their own Emotional Cup and their clients’ Emotional Cup and how this might be beneficial in treatment
Understand how our Emotional Cups are affected by trauma
Learn how the Emotional Cup might be used as both an intervention and a treatment plan

September 2016 – Acute & Chronic Symptomology for Substance Use Disorders

Participants will explore and discuss both acute and chronic symptoms across the various drug classifications.
Clinicians will learn about the pathology of drug using behavior and addiction in Adolescent and Adult Populations.
Audience members will share their clinical experiences and review cases that can help in shaping best practice and expand their referral repertoire for Chemical Dependency/Addiction clientele.

August 2016 – Ethical Considerations in Addiction Treatment

Critically review current rules governing disclosure of PHI for substance abuse
Examine the effects of disclosure rules on information sharing
Evaluate the current regulations governing access to medication therapy for opioid addiction

July 2016 – Campus-Based Mental Health Centers: Breaking Down Barriers to Care

Tracy Ludoff Spinner, Dr. Susan Millea, and Dr. Elizabeth Minne will offer participants an opportunity to acquire recommended resources to successfully implement Campus-Based Counseling & Referral Centers (School Mental Health Centers). The presentation will explore structure, funding, staffing, executive support, community collaboration and insurance. Additionally, research by Children’s Optimal Health will highlight extensive mapping and data analysis around youth substance abuse.

June 2016 – The Agitated Patient: Strategies for Effective Crisis Response and Dignified Resolutions

The goal of this course is to empower individuals working in various behavioral health settings to manage fears, examine strengths, and enhance overall safety as it relates to crisis intervention. The program emphasizes the importance of maintaining patient dignity and addresses ethical considerations in regards to response practices to individuals exhibiting agitated, violent, or aggressive behaviors. Participants will gain tools and strategies for effective solo and team responses to crisis events.

May 2016 – The Neuropsychiatry of Wellness: An Intersection of Mind, Body & Soul

April 2016 – Recovery Oriented Systems

This presentation will give emphasis to the key elements of Recovery Oriented Systems of Care, how we can apply it and what can be done today to impact the recovery community. Participants will learn more about how to help create these systems of care, being provided with practical solutions for people in recovery, professionals, organizations and the community.

March 2016 – ATCIC: Cross-Systems Collaboration & Overview of Hub Learning Community

This course will help define ID/DD, explore the realities for People with ID/DD, explain where people with ID/DD Live in our communities, discuss services ATCIC provides to people with ID/DD, and an overview of the Hub Learning Community.

February 2016 – The Mental Health Professional’s Role and the Transgender Community

This course will explore ways of working with the transgender community utilizing the Standards of Care of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

January 2016 – Ethical Dilemmas: Identifying Dual Relationships in the Helping Professions

This course will include discussion of ethical codes, beneficence, and non-maleficence, Kohlberg’s dilemmas in our society and practice, and propose some case studies for small group participation.

Frequently Asked Questions