Program Summary:  This updated course explores communication in cancer care and highlights the importance of effective, high-quality, bidirectional communication for patients and families.  The course examines the challenges involved in cancer-related communication and acknowledges that better models and strategies are needed.  Research findings, communication models, and demographic and cultural considerations are discussed.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.   Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:  This course explores evidence and practice issues related to grief, bereavement, and coping with loss.  The course compares different types of grief reactions and includes models of normal grief, patterns of complicated grief, and risk factors for complicated grief. Using the DSM-5, the course differentiates a normal grieving process from a major depressive episode.  Treatment considerations are discussed.  In addition, the course looks at the grief experiences of medical providers as well as grief in children.

The new diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) with diagnostic criteria was added to the DSM-5-TR in March of 2022.  It is classified as a trauma and stressor related disorder and characterized by “intense longings for the deceased or preoccupation with thoughts of the deceased.”(Please see APA Offers Tips for Understanding Prolonged Grief Disorder for more information).  The diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder has supporters and critics.  Supporters contend that a DSM diagnosis allows for important treatment, research and funding; critics voice concerns related to pathologizing a human emotional response.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.   Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:  This course explores the different types of dementia and includes an overview of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal disorders, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia.  Causes, symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and management are discussed.  The course includes research supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the National Institute on Aging.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice. Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:   This course explores the unique needs and challenges of older adults with serious mental illness and provides an overview of evidence-based psychosocial interventions.  Five interventions are examined including Assertive Community Treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training, Functional Adaptation Skills Training, Integrated Illness Management and Recovery, and Helping Older People Experience Success.  The course offers guidance for selecting and implementing evidence-based practices.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.   Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:  This updated course explores the mistreatment of African American, Latinx, and Asian American and Pacific Islander elders.  Research briefs examine how different cultures perceive elder mistreatment and how they seek help.  Cultural beliefs, views, and norms are highlighted, along with research findings.  The course identifies, risk factors, protective factors, and proposed interventions.

This course is recommended for social workers and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  This course is not recommended for NBCC ethics credit.

Participants who complete this course will receive 2 continuing education clock hours. 1 of these clock hours is Ethics and 1 of these clock hours is Social and Cultural Competence.

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Program Summary:   This course explores health, wellness, and recovery strategies for older adults who misuse substances.  The course includes a discussion of positive social supports, complementary therapies, continuing care, relapse prevention, and resilience.  The value of an approach that is strengths-based and trauma-informed is emphasized.  The reading is Chapter 7 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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Program Summary:   This course explores substance misuse and cognitive impairment in older adults.  The course examines how cognition in older adults may be affected by alcohol, benzodiazepines, tobacco, co-occurring disorders, and more.  It includes a discussion of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and caregiver stress.  The reading is Chapter 6 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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Program Summary:    This course explores options for assessing, diagnosing, and treating drug use and prescription medication misuse in older adults.  DSM-5 criteria for SUD are given and include consideration for older adults.  Age-specific treatment options and the SUD treatment continuum of care are examined.  The reading includes Chapter 5 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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Program Summary:    This course explores screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment options for older adults with AUD.  Screening tools such as AUDIT and SMAST-G are discussed, along with DSM-5 criteria for AUD and considerations for older adults.  AUD treatment approaches such as CBT, PST, TSF, and pharmacological interventions are included.  The reading is Chapter 4 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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Program Summary:    This course explores ways to identify, screen, and assess older clients for substance misuse.  The course provides an overview of screening tools for substance misuse and co-occurring mental disorders. A description of brief and full assessments is given, along with a discussion of age appropriate care for older adults.  Challenges to screening and assessing older clients for substance misuse are explored.  The reading includes Chapter 3 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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Program Summary:  This course explores how older adults experience substance misuse differently and provides an overview of the unique needs of older adults with substance use disorder.   Screening, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations are discussed along with general principles of care.  The reading includes Chapters 1 and 2 of SAMHSA’s TIP 26 Treating Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists and it is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  

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