CE Courses for Psychologists

This course will discuss the ethical and clinical implications of utilizing interpreters when conducting gender-affirming psychotherapy for people whose primary language differs from the clinician, especially when the clinician’s primary language is English. The course assumes that attendees have a basic level of understanding of gender-affirming care for gender and sexual minorities (GSM). The presentation will address cultural and linguistic considerations, as well as recommendations for interprofessional collaboration, delivery of psychotherapy, and institutional-level policies for organizations. There will be brief recommendations for future research discussed, as well.

Gender-affirming care including hormones and surgery are evidence-based treatments that reduce gender dysphoria in transgender and gender non-conforming people, but many face barriers accessing this care. Clinicians need training on appropriately diagnosing gender dysphoria, assessing readiness for hormones per WPATH guidelines, and managing comorbid psychiatric conditions. This course provides comprehensive information and practice guidelines for providing gender-affirming hormone therapy to transgender adults.

For the last century, research on intimate relationships has grown from a relatively obscure topic in the field of psychology to one of the most popular and thriving areas of study. Four major theoretical perspectives generally guide research: Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory, the Evolutionary Perspective,Interdependence Theory, and Attachment Theory. Each theory’s history and basic principles are discussed and participants are encouraged to apply ideas to a fictitious couple. Finally, each theory’s strengths and potential weaknesses are analyzed.

This course on the Big Five Personality Inventory provides an in-depth exploration of its origins, shedding light on its development. It also delves into how the five personality traits (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism) influence behavior, both in romantic and non-romantic relationships, and life outcomes. The lecture emphasizes the pros and cons associated with each of these personality traits, offering a practical understanding of how they manifest in various aspects of human life.

This course explores essential aspects of clinical practice, emphasizing their dual importance in comprehension and guiding clinician behavior in personal and professional settings when working with trauma survivors. Topics covered include the impact of trauma work on clinicians, proactive self-care, ethical and legal considerations, and practical measures for clinician well-being when working with trauma in real-life situations.

This course draws on the holistic model of mental health that includes physical, mental, social, and spiritual elements. Spirituality and religiosity are defined as they relate to mental health outcomes and coping. Research is presented on the integration of spirituality in behavioral health practice for specific conditions as well as part of a general holistic paradigm.

In this course, the concept of cultural competency will be introduced as it applies to behavioral health fields, including the role of cultural humility in culturally responsive care. An overview of sources of health disparities are discussed as they relate to cultural competency. Evidenced-based approaches are presented that may enhance the effectiveness of mental health interventions, in addition to specific policy recommendations for future education and research.

An Overview of Competency Restoration is presented by Deanna Metropoulos, Psy.D. This training program will provide an overview of restoration programs provided across the country in efforts to respond to the competency crisis in the United States. This training program will incorporate an overview of the competency and the crisis, as well as up-to-date research on restoration practices.

Effective clinical practice with LGBT populations requires a basic understanding of LGBT concepts and terms, presenting problems, and evidence-based interventions. This workshop describes the fundamentals for assessment and therapy with LGBT patients through a discussion of best practices, language use guidelines, and ethical considerations. The workshop explores the concepts of sex, sexuality, and gender and defines common terms used to describe LGBT identities. Health disparities, co-occurring mental health problems, and presenting clinical concerns among LGBT populations are explored through the lens of Minority Stress Theory. Finally, ethical considerations for confidentiality, informed consent, and evidence-based therapy practice are discussed.

The course will offer an introductory lecture on the fundamental theories and philosophies underpinning Dialectical Behavior. With these principles as a foundation, the course will help participants generate theoretically coherent case conceptualization and improve the practice of DBT.