Program Summary:  This course explores prolonged grief disorder and highlights existing psychological therapies and models.  The course differentiates between normal and abnormal grief and offers an overview of the DSM-5 diagnosis of prolonged grief disorder, predictors of prolonged grief, and maintenance factors.  The reading highlights therapies, including the cognitive model of PTSD as a framework for treating traumatic grief.  The second reading examines possible maladaptive coping strategies, including avoidance, proximity seeking, and rumination.

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 opioid use disorder and reviews trends, treatments, and approaches.  The course offers an overview of the opioid crisis as one of our biggest public health challenges.  Benefits and limitations of existing treatment options are examined with a discussion of naloxone and MOUDs.  The course identifies possible ways to improve existing treatment strategies and highlights new approaches and medical developments.  The course places an emphasis on treating the whole patient and suggests that future treatments may have the potential to cure, not just manage OUD.  A second reading provides information on signs of an overdose, Naloxone, identifying OUD, and diagnostic criteria.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.  
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Program Summary:  This course explores current AI trends and future prospects for enhancing mental health.  The course examines the tranformative role of AI in mental healthcare and highlights applications in diagnosis, treatment, therapy delivery, monitoring, and follow-up.  Current examples of AI tools are provided, including chatbot-based therapy, emotional health apps, and smart mental health tools.  Strengths, limitations, and ethical 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 examines evidence-based, whole-person care for pregnant people with opioid use disorder.  The course offers recommendations and guidance about OUD medication during pregnancy and highlights considerations for screening and assessment, changing pharmacotherapy during pregnancy, admission and discharge, polysubstance use, and treating the ‘whole person.’

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 offers clinical guidance and discussion for mental health clinicians who work and collaborate with African American men.  The course highlights the importance of Afrocentric values, including mutuality, emotional connection, and spirituality.  Challenges of marginalization, oppression, and racism are explored along with other barriers to care.  The course offers three frameworks for practice:  social determinants of health, intersectionality, and narrative practice.

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 is the third of a 3-part series on recovery from problematic substance use and examines counseling approaches for promoting harm reduction, preventing recurrence, sustaining recovery, and promoting a healthy life.  There are many evidence-based practices that can help clients meet their goals for recovery.  Chapter 3 explores harm reduction, trauma -informed care, motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy, contingency management, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psychoeducation.  Chapter 4 examines four domains that assist a life in recovery:  health, home, purpose, and community.

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

We do not recommend this course if you completed our previous course, Counseling Approaches to Promote Recovery from Problematic Substance Use and Related Issues (15 credit hours), as it covers the same course material. Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:  This course is the second of a 3-part series on recovery from problematic substance use and offers a framework for supporting recovery with counseling.  The course explores strengths-based, recovery-oriented counseling and includes a discussion of values, recovery capital, unconditional positive regard, cues for health and well-being, self-efficacy, and motivation.  The course highlights sociocultural considerations and the importance of cultural responsiveness.

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

We do not recommend this course if you completed our previous course, Counseling Approaches to Promote Recovery from Problematic Substance Use and Related Issues (15 credit hours), as it covers the same course material.

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 is the first of a 3-part series on recovery from problematic substance use.  The course provides an introduction to recovery-oriented counseling and describes a shift in SUD treatment away from a model of specialized treatment that focuses primarily on abstinence and toward a different model of integrated care that is strengths-based, client-driven, and offers a broad range of services.  Recovery is increasingly viewed as a process of change rather than an end point.  Current recovery research is highlighted and includes a discussion of neurological, genetic, and epigenetic bases for problematic substance use.

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

We do not recommend this course if you completed our previous course, Counseling Approaches to Promote Recovery from Problematic Substance Use and Related Issues (15 credit hours), as it covers the same course material. Read the complete description of this course…..

Program Summary:  This course explores current research related to medications to treat opioid use disorder.  The course offers an overview of methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone and compares their effectiveness and how they work.  Misconceptions, misunderstandings, and diversion risks are discussed.  The course examines opioid use disorder treatment for special populations, including those with HIV, those in the military, those in the criminal justice system, and pregnant mothers.

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 recent research on stimulant use disorders along with best treatment practices. The course examines how cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulants affect neurobiology, the brain, and behavior.  Common medical and psychological complications are discussed.  The course describes the best supported treatment approaches; contingency management is highlighted as the primary psychosocial treatment for stimulant disorders.  Strategies for supporting patients in treatment and recovery are given.

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 suicide prevention and provides strategies and approaches for reducing suicide risk and harms.  Strategies include: strengthen economic supports, create protective environments, improve access and delivery of suicide care, promote healthy connections, teach coping and problem-solving skills, identify and support people at risk, and lessen harms and prevent future risk.  The course explores risk and protective factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal level.  Crisis response interventions and therapeutic treatment approaches are discussed.

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

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Program Summary:   This course examines the prevalence of prescription stimulant use and misuse among youth and young adults.  Short and long term health effects of prescription stimulant use are explored along with risk and protective factors.  Opportunities for prevention are discussed, and considerations for screening, assessment, and treatment are given.

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 offers an overview of the behavioral health service needs, challenges, and opportunities of individuals experiencing homelessness.  The course highlights five evidence-based interventions, including medication for opioid use disorder, motivational interviewing, intensive case management, Community Reinforcement Approach, and peer support.  Important strategies are given for engaging individuals experiencing homelessness and reducing barriers.

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 looks at the harms of alcohol misuse, which groups are most affected, and how evidence-based community-level policies can create safer communities.  Data is provided for different population groups including age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.  Evidence-based  strategies for reducing alcohol misuse are included; policies that focus on reducing alcohol availability in the community have been shown to be some of the most effective.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists.
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Program Summary:   This course examines the benefits and challenges of family therapy in SUD treatment.  The course explores how substance misuse can impact family systems, how family systems can impact substance misuse, and and the value of family involvement in SUD treatment.   Common family dynamics and terminology are discussed including rules, roles, boundaries, and power structures.  An overview of different family counseling approaches is given.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists.

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Program Summary:   This course examines social work’s accelerated shift to technology and telehealth during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The authors conducted a qualitative study of 37 social service agencies and present their findings highlighting seven themes:  a rapid transition to virtual services, the need to improve infrastructure, new technology and innovation, barriers, benefits, funding, and changes that will be kept.  The course highlights the need for further research, advocacy, and education.

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, and therapists.
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Program Summary:   This course explores treatment considerations for youth with SED and young adults with SMI and co-occurring substance use.  It offers an overview of risk and protective factors, impact of the problem, and barriers to treatment.  The course examines three treatment practices:  cognitive behavioral therapy, multidimensional family therapy, and pharmacotherapy.  Five program examples are given.

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 provides an overview of concurrent substance use and concurrent substance use disorder, exploring risk factors, protective factors, screening, assessment, and treatment.  Three treatment approaches are examined including FDA-approved pharmacotherapy with counseling, contingency management with FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and counseling, and twelve-step facilitation therapy with FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and counseling.  Strategies for managing clinical issues are given.

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 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 course offers an overview of stimulant use disorders and includes a discussion of adverse effects.  Four evidence-based treatment approaches are identified, including motivational interviewing, contingency management, the community reinforcement approach, and cognitive behavioral therapy.  Common clinical issues are explored, and examples of treatment programs are given.

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 youth marijuana prevention and provides an overview of marijuana, its potency, methods of use, changes in use, and prevalence.  The course offers a discussion of short- and long-term adverse effects and harms.  Risk and protective factors are examined along with challenges to prevention efforts.  Promising substance use prevention programs and interventions are given.

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

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Course Summary:  The college years represent a major life transition for young adults as they begin to navigate a larger world.  We know that many mental disorders often begin during adolescence and early adulthood and an increasing number of college students report mental health concerns.  This course explores common mental disorders among college students, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.  Evidence-based clinical interventions and treatments are highlighted along with strategies for working with diverse student populations.

This course is recommended for social workers and counselors and is appropriate for beginning and intermediate levels of practice.
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Program Summary:  Telehealth modalities have been shown to increase access to treatment and improve health outcomes for individuals with severe mental illness and substance use disorder.  This course examines how telehealth modalities can effectively treat individuals with SMI and SUD.  Examples of evidence-based telehealth treatment interventions include Behavioral Activation Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Medication-Assisted Treatment.  Implementation strategies and considerations are explored.

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

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Program Summary:  This course explores family counseling in SUD treatment and provides an overview of family-based counseling interventions.  Common family characteristics are examined using a systems perspective.  Four main family-based models are discussed in this course: the chronic disease model disease, family systems theory, cognitive-behavioral theory, and multidimensional family therapy.  Benefits and challenges of family counseling in SUD treatment are discussed.

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 the unique challenges and strategies for preventing and treating HIV for people with substance use and/or mental disorders.   You will learn about the interrelated factors that impact HIV prevention and treatment efforts.  Programs and practices are examined, including PrEP, Syringe Services Programs, Contingency and Management, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Patient Navigation.

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 provides an overview of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and suicide attempts among youth and includes a discussion of risk and protective factors that can increase or mitigate an individual’s level of risk.  Programs and practices that address treatment are examined, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Multisystemic Therapy- Psychiatric, Safe Alternatives for Teens and Youth, Integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Youth-Nominated Support Team-Version II.

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 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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Program Summary:  This course explores marijuana use and its affects on the brain and the body.  Acute, persistent, and long-term consequences are discussed, along with available treatments.

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 examines the ways in which women may differ from men in substance use and substance use disorder treatment.   The course looks at sex and gender differences related to the use of marijuana, stimulants, MDMA, heroin, prescription drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.   Research on substance use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is also included.

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