Mental Health Training Curriculum

The Clinician in the Courtroom: There are many clinical cases which can involve legal issues which the counselor may be exposed to. This course will present: an overview of the legal process and rules of evidence, legal issues in clinical report writing and record keeping, the discovery process in litigation, testimony in court hearings and depositions, how to be a witness, expert witness activities, ethical issues in working with individuals, couples or families involved with the court, and risk avoidance in the expert role. Read more

Applied Supervision: This workshop will focus on key and unique aspects of supervision across the continuum of clinical practice including the agency, the private practice and the hospital setting. You will learn distinct characteristics of supervision from each setting & which can be useful for each industry. Read more

Introduction to Coaching for Counselors: Have you heard the rage about Professional Coaching? This workshop will not only answer your compelling questions, but will provide you with hands on introductory coach training. The major questions that will be addressed have to do with three themes: What is coaching? How is it different than other personal development methodologies? How can coaching enhance or transform the career of a licensed clinical counselor? Read more

Family Law for Therapists: This course will familiarize therapists with all aspects of Illinois family law: marriage, divorce, annulment, parentage (paternity), custody, visitation, support, domestic violence, interstate and international issues in divorce and custody, court interventions for families with disabled members, working with high conflict families. Alternative dispute resolution methods, working with attorneys, and the role of the therapist will be discussed. Read more

Supervision and the Law: Liability and ethical consideration relating to supervision is a concern counselors need to be aware of and not fear. Sandra Nye brings extensive experience in this area with her legal and social work background. Read more

Multicultural Competence for Counselors: The focus of this workshop is the sociopolitical and cultural contexts that shape identity, influence development, and affect the counseling relationship. Mental health professionals must be aware of the developmental stages related to normalcy across and within cultural groups. Multicultural awareness precedes effective counseling relationships. This workshop will provide information, discussions, and teaching application of how to work with various ethnic and racial groups in counseling. Read more

Legal Issues – Developing a Private Practice: This one day course will overview the basic legal issues in developing a private practice: how to choose the practice entity: individual, partnership, corporation; marketing and licensing aspects; understanding insurance policies, leases and contracts; practice policies and procedures; managed care arrangements; supervision, employees, consultants and independent contractors; risk and liability avoidance; collections; statutes and regulations. Materials will be provided. Read more

Multicultural and Cross Cultural Clinical Supervision: Clinical Supervision along with all aspects of the clinical practice, must address the various issues present in multiculturalism. From the Supervisory relationship, the relationship with co-workers, and the clinician’s work with clients, awareness of and sensitivity to multicultural factors is imperative to success. By attending this training. Read more

Multicultural Issues in Supervision and Clinical Practice: The focus of this workshop is the sociopolitical and cultural contexts that shape identity, influence development, and affect the counseling relationship. Mental health professionals must be aware of the developmental stages related to normalcy across and within cultural groups. Multicultural awareness precedes effective counseling relationships and good clinical supervision. Read more

The Power of Mindfulness: With 12 Step Applications: Our approach to addictions treatment incorporates five 12-Step oriented principles: Powerlessness, Self-Awareness, Connectedness, Accountability and Mindfulness. Each principle relates back to mindfulness with a focus on the patient’s relationship with self, others and a self–transcendent or “spiritual” state of being. An enhanced capacity to be fully present or mindful through specific meditative practices has allowed us to more intensively address the spiritual aspects of recovery with our patients while remaining secular in our approach. The five principles integrate the language and approaches found in 12-step recovery, psychotherapy, and mindfulness training. Read more

Risk Prevention in Clinical Practice: Law and Ethics : This six-hour course will review social work ethics, licensing,and professional liability. The goals arerisk prevention and practice improvement. Content will include the NASW Code of Ethics;the Illinois Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and Regulations;an overview of Confidentiality and Privileged Communications; Reporting Requirements; Practice restrictions and limitations; Informed consent; Record keeping; Professional boundaries; and Professional liability insurance issues. Read more

Techniques in Clinical Supervision: This course will focus on training the clinical supervisor with specific techniques to utilize in supervision. These techniques will focus on practical interventions to utilize within the supervision relationship to help assess, improve and correct clinical and related skills.  This course will include techniques with individuals as well as with groups.  This training will be very interactive, including role-plays and follow-up discussion related to actual scenarios faced within the supervision relationship. Read more

Risk Prevention in Social Work Practice: Law and Ethics: This six-hour course will review social work ethics, licensing, and professional liability. The goals are risk prevention and practice improvement. Content will include the NASW Code of Ethics; the Illinois Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and Regulations; an overview of Confidentiality and Privileged Communications; Reporting Requirements; Practice restrictions and limitations; Informed consent; Record keeping; Professional boundaries; and Professional liability insurance issues. Read more

Understanding Addictions in the Outpatient Setting: This course will review the core clinical aspects and skills for work with drug and/or alcohol issues in a clinical outpatient setting.  The topics which will be addressed include:  Genetics of addiction, Assessment and Diagnosis, Interventions to utilize, Referral base and treatment options (including medications), the Internet and addiction, and special considerations for Dual Diagnosis cases.  The focus of this course will be on practical information and interventions and the application of research in the outpatient practice.  This course welcomes the seasoned therapist as well as the novice, as class participation and discussion will be encouraged. Read more

The Inspired Therapist: Mental health therapists are among the select group of people who truly make a difference in peoples lives. Few other professions afford the opportunity to impact lives on such a profound level, not only mentally but emotionally and spiritually as well. Yet the same qualities that make being a therapist so deeply rewarding can also make it a challenge, over time, to sustain your energy and passion. Read more