“Very good presenter.  Very well-organized.  Very personable in responding to questions from participants.  Adept at integrating Power Point slides with his verbal presentation. Clearly knowledgeable in this field - both theoretically and clinically.  Gracious with his time in being willing to stay online afterward to answer questions.”-Shirley R., Professional Counselor and Psychotherapist, Alabama

Non-prescribing therapists are crucial to the effective and safe use of psychiatric medications by their clients.  In contrast to clinicians who focus primarily on medications, therapists generally spend more time with their clients and are more familiar with their history and current situation. They also tend to develop a greater rapport. And  considering that most clients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and virtually every other psychiatric disorder receive pharmacological interventions, the non-prescribing therapist needs to understand how psychiatric medications work, their limitations and side effects, and how to help their clients maximize gains through increasing medication compliance.   This course is designed to present the non-prescribing mental health practitioner with a review of basic concepts in clinical psychopharmacology and the effective use of common psychiatric medications in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Effective medication strategies for treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, sleep disorders, and other common psychiatric conditions are covered in detail. Basic general pharmacological concepts such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are reviewed as are more specific concepts such as drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.  You will also become aware of common medication treatment errors to avoid and learn tips for helping your clients become more educated about the medications they take as well as help them manage their side effects.

Executive function (EF) processes are essential for successfully navigating nearly all of our daily activities, allowing us to regulate and direct our behavior toward goals, break out of habits, make decisions and evaluate risks, plan for the future, prioritize and sequence our actions, and cope with novel situations. EF deficits are present in a wide range of mental health disorders, contributing to deficits in everyday activities, academic/occupational and social functioning. In this presentation, you will learn about EF processes and how they are important for daily life, how and why EF deficits are associated with mental health disorders, and best practices for assessing EF. We will then discuss the latest evidence on interventions for EF deficits, considering limitation of EF training approaches and promising approaches based on using compensatory strategies to improve functioning in individuals with impaired EF.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approxi­mately 10% of US adults fill one or more antidepressant prescriptions each year, with many of these prescriptions coming from non-psychiatrists. They are some of the most widely prescribed medications of our generation. As more and more patients are prescribed antidepressants and other psychotropic medications, an increased need and responsibility is raised for non-prescribing therapists to be knowledgeable enough to work more effectively with patients and their prescribers in this arena. The follow­ing webinar is intended to be an introductory course that offers general, yet comprehensive information about psy­chopharmacology, including understanding neurobiological underpinnings of how medications work, commonly pre­scribed drug categories, how to work more effectively with patients, and how to work more effectively with prescrib­ers. Unique to this webinar will be the inclusion of how to maximize treatment outcomes and effectively use collab­orative care strategies.

Diminished desire and difficulty orgasming with a partner are the two most prevalent concerns women bring to health-care providers. Additionally, evidence indicates that many women struggle with these concerns, yet only reveal this to clinicians upon being directly asked. Unfortunately, however, too few clinicians have any training in assessing or dealing with these common sexual concerns, even though empirically supported treatments for both exist. This seminar will help you understand the cultural reasons for the high prevalence of these sexual problems among women. You will also become well-versed in the myriad medical, individual, and relational causes underlying both concerns. Most importantly, evidence-based treatments for both diminished desire and orgasm issues will be presented. You will leave this seminar able to assess and intervene with these two common sexual concerns. 

“The presenter was excellent. Her expertise was evident and she used great illustrative examples. It was a comfortable learning experience.”-Vicki W., Social Worker, Maryland

As people are living longer worldwide, clinicians will increasingly need the skills and knowledge to work with older adults. Professional guidelines indicate that specific competencies are needed to work effectively with older clients, yet many clinicians surveyed say they have not had sufficient training and experience to work with this client population.  This webinar is designed to familiarize participants with information and useful strategies from the scientific literature and clinical experience to allow you to work competently and successfully with older adults. The webinar will cover normal aging as well as health and cognitive concerns in older adults. Adjustments to assessment and intervention strategies to meet the needs of older adults will be discussed. Awareness of ageism and cultural factors will also be covered.

“This was a very clear and coherent presentation. I really like how the presenter kept the audience engaged and how quickly but coherently he went through the information, while answering questions routinely.”-Michelle P., Psychologist, New York

Increasing numbers of adults are seeking out assessment and treatment for ADHD.  However, ADHD is considered to be one of the most misdiagnosed conditions, being prone to both over- and under-diagnosis.  This presentation provides a model for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of ADHD in adults that can be tailored and used by clinicians in practice to increase diagnostic accuracy.  Issues related to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD, presenting symptoms and problems characteristic of ADHD that are not included in the official criteria, the prevalence and persistence of ADHD into adulthood, testing for ADHD, the issue of malingering, as well as telling clients when their difficulties are not consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD will be discussed.

“Very good presenter.  Very well-organized.  Very personable in responding to questions from participants.  Adept at integrating Power Point slides with his verbal presentation. Clearly knowledgeable in this field - both theoretically and clinically.  Gracious with his time in being willing to stay online afterward to answer questions.”-Shirley R., Professional Counselor and Psychotherapist, Alabama

Non-prescribing therapists are crucial to the effective and safe use of psychiatric medications by their clients.  In contrast to clinicians who focus primarily on medications, therapists generally spend more time with their clients and are more familiar with their history and current situation. They also tend to develop a greater rapport. And  considering that most clients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and virtually every other psychiatric disorder receive pharmacological interventions, the non-prescribing therapist needs to understand how psychiatric medications work, their limitations and side effects, and how to help their clients maximize gains through increasing medication compliance.   This course is designed to present the non-prescribing mental health practitioner with a review of basic concepts in clinical psychopharmacology and the effective use of common psychiatric medications in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Effective medication strategies for treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, sleep disorders, and other common psychiatric conditions are covered in detail. Basic general pharmacological concepts such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are reviewed as are more specific concepts such as drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.  You will also become aware of common medication treatment errors to avoid and learn tips for helping your clients become more educated about the medications they take as well as help them manage their side effects.

“Excellent presentation. Presenter was very knowledgeable and thorough. No improvements needed.”-Bruce G., Counselor, Illinois

The biology of reward has been well-studied and is linked to numerous mental health diagnoses. Researchers identified an anomaly in this reward cascade called Reward Deficiency Syndrome or RDS. This anomaly and its impact on psychotherapy are less evident in psychological literature, yet it provides useful knowledge in one of the most prevalent and challenging of all mental health disorders…addiction. This seminar will help you understand the cascade theory of reward and provide you with working knowledge of RDS. You will be able to talk about how RDS affects the brain, what research has found regarding the impact of RDS, as well as discuss a model of therapy that considers highly this biological aspect of mental illness. The focus of this seminar is biopsychological and psychopharmaocological in nature.

“The instructor clearly has a high level of expertise, presented the material in a well organized, comprehensive, and detailed manner, and maintained my interest throughout.”-Jay F., Psychologist, New Jersey

One in seven people over the age of 70 experiences dementia and another 22% demonstrate symptoms of cognitive decline that falls short of dementia. Those who escape the symptoms of dementia may spend a substantial portion of retirement years caring for a friend or family member with cognitive impairment. The rise of the baby boomer generation is expected bring unprecedented rates of cognitive syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease, yet most mental health professionals have no formal training to work with this vulnerable population. This workshop provides a clinical approach to understanding and assessing these syndromes.

Diminished desire and difficulty orgasming with a partner are the two most prevalent concerns women bring to health-care providers. Additionally, evidence indicates that many women struggle with these concerns, yet only reveal this to clinicians upon being directly asked. Unfortunately, however, too few clinicians have any training in assessing or dealing with these common sexual concerns, even though empirically supported treatments for both exist. This seminar will help you understand the cultural reasons for the high prevalence of these sexual problems among women. You will also become well-versed in the myriad medical, individual, and relational causes underlying both concerns. Most importantly, evidence-based treatments for both diminished desire and orgasm issues will be presented. You will leave this seminar able to assess and intervene with these two common sexual concerns. 

Executive function (EF) processes are essential for successfully navigating nearly all of our daily activities, allowing us to regulate and direct our behavior toward goals, break out of habits, make decisions and evaluate risks, plan for the future, prioritize and sequence our actions, and cope with novel situations. EF deficits are present in a wide range of mental health disorders, contributing to deficits in everyday activities, academic/occupational and social functioning. In this presentation, you will learn about EF processes and how they are important for daily life, how and why EF deficits are associated with mental health disorders, and best practices for assessing EF. We will then discuss the latest evidence on interventions for EF deficits, considering limitation of EF training approaches and promising approaches based on using compensatory strategies to improve functioning in individuals with impaired EF.

“This was an excellent presentation. The instructor was casual, engaging, presented in an efficient and concise way. I would take another class again from this instructor and from this program in general.”-Paula R., Psychologist, California

Although medications are considered a first-line treatment for adult ADHD, most individuals will require additional psychosocial treatment in order to improve their functioning in various life roles. In fact, most adults with ADHD who are seeking treatment will say, “I know what I need to do, but I just don’t do it.” Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as the second evidence-supported treatment for adult ADHD. This presentation reviews a CBT model for understanding and treating adult ADHD. In particular, it focuses on how CBT has been adapted to address the problems faced by ADHD adults with a particular emphasis on promoting the implementation of effective coping strategies for a clinical population whose main difficulties are with poor follow through on intentions. In particular, the intervention domains of cognitive modification, behavior modification, acceptance/mindfulness, and implementation strategies will be reviewed. Dealing with procrastination is the clinical example used to illustrate these intervention domains for adult ADHD. Some of the most common coping strategies for managing adult ADHD also will be presented, along with specific tactics to promote engagement and follow through. Issues related to managing co-existing clinical issues will also be discussed. Case examples will be presented and participant questions answered throughout the webinar.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approxi­mately 10% of US adults fill one or more antidepressant prescriptions each year, with many of these prescriptions coming from non-psychiatrists. They are some of the most widely prescribed medications of our generation. As more and more patients are prescribed antidepressants and other psychotropic medications, an increased need and responsibility is raised for non-prescribing therapists to be knowledgeable enough to work more effectively with patients and their prescribers in this arena. The follow­ing webinar is intended to be an introductory course that offers general, yet comprehensive information about psy­chopharmacology, including understanding neurobiological underpinnings of how medications work, commonly pre­scribed drug categories, how to work more effectively with patients, and how to work more effectively with prescrib­ers. Unique to this webinar will be the inclusion of how to maximize treatment outcomes and effectively use collab­orative care strategies.

“Very good presenter.  Very well-organized.  Very personable in responding to questions from participants.  Adept at integrating Power Point slides with his verbal presentation. Clearly knowledgeable in this field - both theoretically and clinically.  Gracious with his time in being willing to stay online afterward to answer questions.”-Shirley R., Professional Counselor and Psychotherapist, Alabama

Non-prescribing therapists are crucial to the effective and safe use of psychiatric medications by their clients.  In contrast to clinicians who focus primarily on medications, therapists generally spend more time with their clients and are more familiar with their history and current situation. They also tend to develop a greater rapport. And  considering that most clients diagnosed with depression, anxiety, psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, and virtually every other psychiatric disorder receive pharmacological interventions, the non-prescribing therapist needs to understand how psychiatric medications work, their limitations and side effects, and how to help their clients maximize gains through increasing medication compliance.   This course is designed to present the non-prescribing mental health practitioner with a review of basic concepts in clinical psychopharmacology and the effective use of common psychiatric medications in the treatment of mental health conditions.  Effective medication strategies for treating depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, sleep disorders, and other common psychiatric conditions are covered in detail. Basic general pharmacological concepts such as pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics are reviewed as are more specific concepts such as drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.  You will also become aware of common medication treatment errors to avoid and learn tips for helping your clients become more educated about the medications they take as well as help them manage their side effects.

“Excellent presentation. Presenter was very knowledgeable and thorough. No improvements needed.”-Bruce G., Counselor, Illinois

The biology of reward has been well-studied and is linked to numerous mental health diagnoses. Researchers identified an anomaly in this reward cascade called Reward Deficiency Syndrome or RDS. This anomaly and its impact on psychotherapy are less evident in psychological literature, yet it provides useful knowledge in one of the most prevalent and challenging of all mental health disorders…addiction. This seminar will help you understand the cascade theory of reward and provide you with working knowledge of RDS. You will be able to talk about how RDS affects the brain, what research has found regarding the impact of RDS, as well as discuss a model of therapy that considers highly this biological aspect of mental illness. The focus of this seminar is biopsychological and psychopharmaocological in nature.

“This was a very clear and coherent presentation. I really like how the presenter kept the audience engaged and how quickly but coherently he went through the information, while answering questions routinely.”-Michelle P., Psychologist, New York

Increasing numbers of adults are seeking out assessment and treatment for ADHD.  However, ADHD is considered to be one of the most misdiagnosed conditions, being prone to both over- and under-diagnosis.  This presentation provides a model for a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of ADHD in adults that can be tailored and used by clinicians in practice to increase diagnostic accuracy.  Issues related to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD, presenting symptoms and problems characteristic of ADHD that are not included in the official criteria, the prevalence and persistence of ADHD into adulthood, testing for ADHD, the issue of malingering, as well as telling clients when their difficulties are not consistent with a diagnosis of ADHD will be discussed.

“This was an excellent presentation. The instructor was casual, engaging, presented in an efficient and concise way. I would take another class again from this instructor and from this program in general.”-Paula R., Psychologist, California

Although medications are considered a first-line treatment for adult ADHD, most individuals will require additional psychosocial treatment in order to improve their functioning in various life roles. In fact, most adults with ADHD who are seeking treatment will say, “I know what I need to do, but I just don’t do it.” Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has emerged as the second evidence-supported treatment for adult ADHD. This presentation reviews a CBT model for understanding and treating adult ADHD. In particular, it focuses on how CBT has been adapted to address the problems faced by ADHD adults with a particular emphasis on promoting the implementation of effective coping strategies for a clinical population whose main difficulties are with poor follow through on intentions. In particular, the intervention domains of cognitive modification, behavior modification, acceptance/mindfulness, and implementation strategies will be reviewed. Dealing with procrastination is the clinical example used to illustrate these intervention domains for adult ADHD. Some of the most common coping strategies for managing adult ADHD also will be presented, along with specific tactics to promote engagement and follow through. Issues related to managing co-existing clinical issues will also be discussed. Case examples will be presented and participant questions answered throughout the webinar.

Diminished desire and difficulty orgasming with a partner are the two most prevalent concerns women bring to health-care providers. Additionally, evidence indicates that many women struggle with these concerns, yet only reveal this to clinicians upon being directly asked. Unfortunately, however, too few clinicians have any training in assessing or dealing with these common sexual concerns, even though empirically supported treatments for both exist. This seminar will help you understand the cultural reasons for the high prevalence of these sexual problems among women. You will also become well-versed in the myriad medical, individual, and relational causes underlying both concerns. Most importantly, evidence-based treatments for both diminished desire and orgasm issues will be presented. You will leave this seminar able to assess and intervene with these two common sexual concerns. 

Executive function (EF) processes are essential for successfully navigating nearly all of our daily activities, allowing us to regulate and direct our behavior toward goals, break out of habits, make decisions and evaluate risks, plan for the future, prioritize and sequence our actions, and cope with novel situations. EF deficits are present in a wide range of mental health disorders, contributing to deficits in everyday activities, academic/occupational and social functioning. In this presentation, you will learn about EF processes and how they are important for daily life, how and why EF deficits are associated with mental health disorders, and best practices for assessing EF. We will then discuss the latest evidence on interventions for EF deficits, considering limitation of EF training approaches and promising approaches based on using compensatory strategies to improve functioning in individuals with impaired EF.

“The instructor clearly has a high level of expertise, presented the material in a well organized, comprehensive, and detailed manner, and maintained my interest throughout.”-Jay F., Psychologist, New Jersey

One in seven people over the age of 70 experiences dementia and another 22% demonstrate symptoms of cognitive decline that falls short of dementia. Those who escape the symptoms of dementia may spend a substantial portion of retirement years caring for a friend or family member with cognitive impairment. The rise of the baby boomer generation is expected bring unprecedented rates of cognitive syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease, yet most mental health professionals have no formal training to work with this vulnerable population. This workshop provides a clinical approach to understanding and assessing these syndromes.

According to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, approxi­mately 10% of US adults fill one or more antidepressant prescriptions each year, with many of these prescriptions coming from non-psychiatrists. They are some of the most widely prescribed medications of our generation. As more and more patients are prescribed antidepressants and other psychotropic medications, an increased need and responsibility is raised for non-prescribing therapists to be knowledgeable enough to work more effectively with patients and their prescribers in this arena. The follow­ing webinar is intended to be an introductory course that offers general, yet comprehensive information about psy­chopharmacology, including understanding neurobiological underpinnings of how medications work, commonly pre­scribed drug categories, how to work more effectively with patients, and how to work more effectively with prescrib­ers. Unique to this webinar will be the inclusion of how to maximize treatment outcomes and effectively use collab­orative care strategies.