Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is less a set of interventions and more a flexible framework for harnessing processes of change with clients. This training is designed to guide participants in integrating a process-based approach into their current clinical work using the foundational principles of ACT. Throughout the training, participants will collaborate with the trainer to build a therapeutic model from the ground up, utilizing the core concepts of ACT. This hands-on approach ensures that attendees can directly apply these principles to their practice, fostering greater flexibility and effectiveness in their therapeutic interventions. Participants will practice a process-based case conceptualization model to derive novel interventions tailored to individual client needs, enhancing their ability to facilitate meaningful change. The session is tailored to accommodate both newcomers to ACT and those with existing knowledge of its core concepts. Beginners will gain a foundation of the ACT framework, while experienced practitioners will deepen their skills and explore new ways to implement process-based strategies in their clinical work.
EMDR Therapy is one of the most popular therapies available today for the treatment of trauma-related concerns, appearing in the evidence-based treatment guidelines of many prominent organizations. Since its introduction to the therapeutic world in 1989, EMDR Therapy has helped millions of people worldwide. In this short course, professionals are introduced not just to the fundamentals of EMDR Therapy, also to how EMDR Therapy conceptualizes trauma through the lens of what is called the adaptive information processing (AIP) model). This conceptualization can be useful to all professionals who want to operate in a more trauma-focused way in their clinical work, whether or not they go on to do a full training in EMDR Therapy. The session ends with going over an explanation of the full training process and helping you to determine if fully adding EMDR Therapy to your clinical repertoire is a good fit.
The presentation will encompass an overview of the compact's history and an explanation of the commission's operations. Additionally, I will delineate the application process for obtaining practice privileges and provide an update on the timeline for issuing these privileges. Ethical considerations pertinent to counselors seeking practice privileges will also be examined. The session will conclude with a question and answer segment.â
This presentation will draw on current neuroscience research to help better conceptualize how neurodiversity impacts how clients show up to and in therapy. When we let our clients’ nervous systems be at the center of our focus, we welcome their expertise and find their innate resilience. â
It is well known that our physical and mental health are connected. We sometimes call this a mind-body connection, holistic or integrated practice. There is support from the literature that our mental health influences our physical health and visa versa. The book “The Body Keeps the Score” is a prime example of how our physical health is interdependent with our mental health. Chronic pain is linked to depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that regular fitness and healthy nutrition improve overall health and directly impact mental health. Join Wendie for a talk on incorporating fitness and nutrition into your practice while staying within the scope of practice laws and ethical requirements for MHC.
Enhancing access to mental health care is a multisystemic approach which requires work at the micro and macro levels. Although many lawmakers may discuss the importance of access to care, most of them are not experts in the field and may receive information from limited sources. To help enhance mental health services from a national perspective, it is recommended that counselors connect with those who influence federal legislation. To enhance the ability of the counselor to influence federal legislation, this workshop will review various federal agencies and committees which connect directly to lawmakers. Participants will be provided information as to how to connect with such individuals. Finally, participants will identify ways to effectively communicate about mental health needs from a national perspective. â
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), first developed by Edmund Jacobson in the 1930s, is a well-researched and effective intervention for stress, anxiety, panic, phobias, chronic pain in various forms, hypertension and bruxism. It is shown to help with many other medical and somatization disorders. It utilizes biological and neurological conditioning in order facilitate change in a persons psychological functioning. Positive physical changes following PMR are reported in multiple studies. With practice, clients can reduce psychological and physical symptoms, and learn to call on the relaxation response during stressful events. It is often considered a cornerstone to systematic desensitization, mindfulness, CBT, motivational interviewing, non-pharmacologic pain management, stress and anger management, body awareness and neuroplasticity. This presentation will review the research on the effectiveness of PMR and train participants in its applications.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, counselors scrambled to embrace a technology that only 5 to 10% of them had previously dabbled in—telehealth. Just as many of us felt like we’d achieved at least a moderate level of competency in telehealth, artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as yet another mysterious, exciting, and—perhaps—terrifying technology to have to contend with, creating a slew of relevant questions: Can AI help me write my progress notes and treatment plans? How do I handle the fact that my counseling students are using AI to write their papers for them? What’s up with the creation of AI bots that offer mental health advice to our clients? Does AI perpetuate ethnoracial stereotypes? Is it true that some clients are recording their therapy sessions (without the therapist’s consent) and then selling those recordings to tech developers who are working on developing AI-powered therapy bots? Will AI make therapists obsolete? Is Cyberdyne finally coming to destroy us all? (Okay, that last one’s a little over the top…or is it?). This presentation was designed to offer an overview of how AI can (and already has) impacted the counseling field, as well as strategies for ethical and impactful use of AI in counseling.
When a natural disaster occurs, it traumatizes not only the people who directly experienced the event, but also first responders, everyone who pitches in to help, and even the whole community. Traumatic shock triggers the nervous system’s fight/flight/freeze reflex causing exaggerated, irrational emotional (and physical) reactions, and inhibits the ability to think rationally and be resourceful. Even worse, anything that was in the environment at the time the trauma occurred can get associated with that memory. Later on, these associations can trigger this original reflex reaction, (like a body flashback). Untreated, cumulative trauma can cause burn out and even PTSD symptoms.
Join us for this community healing webinar and clear Hurricane Helene trauma together. Participants will learn the Natural Bio-Destressing meridian tapping technique for activating your body’s natural calming reflex and releasing traumatic reactions. Daily use of this technique will result in increased resilience, optimism, and sense of well-being.
LCCNC supports the people of Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. In an effort to mobilize a response and equipping those clinicians serving that region, we are offering a free disaster response webinar. We care deeply about the mental health and well-being of the families, friends, and communities impacted by this disaster and want to offer our support as an Association.
Every therapist has experienced that moment when they realize their client is suffering depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms caused by ancestral/generational trauma and they just don’t know what to do to help free them. Because ancestral trauma is a universal experience, therapists need to know how it imprints in the unconscious mind and body and how it is structured so they can treat it effectively. In this webinar, the presenter will describe three common causes of ancestral trauma and share her published original research using Healing from the Body Level UpTM (HBLUTM) methodology to clear these patterns in just a few sessions. Dr. Swack will also do live healing with volunteers or the whole group.ââ
Why BIPOC Health Matters: The Role of Counselors will explore the mental health challenges faced by BIPOC communities and examine how historical trauma and cultural factors impact access to care. Participants will gain practical strategies for providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed counseling to support BIPOC clients effectively. Join us to deepen your understanding and advocacy for mental health equity.â
This online, one hour long presentation on intergenerational trauma in the AAPI population will provide an introductory understanding of this complex phenomenon. It will begin by defining intergenerational trauma. Focusing specifically on the AAPI community, the presentation will explore the unique historical and cultural contexts that contribute to this phenomenon, including experiences of war, immigration, discrimination, and systemic racism. Participants will learn about the physiological and psychological impacts of intergenerational trauma. The presentation will discuss strategies for counselors, emphasizing the importance of addressing both individual and collective healing.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to significantly impact the field of counseling and counselor education in several ways, such as by aiding programs and professionals with limited resources. However, it is essential to acknowledge the limitations and challenges associated with integrating AI into counseling and counselor education. These include concerns about data privacy and confidentiality and the risk of replacing human empathy and intuition with algorithmic decision-making (among others). The presentation will discuss the benefits and ethical implications in the context of mental health care as AI continues to evolve.â
Join LCCNC for its inaugural Minority Mental Health Virtual Symposium—a powerful two-day event for professionals, students, advocates, and supporters committed to advancing equity in mental health. This dynamic virtual experience offers 14 or more continuing education hours and features engaging sessions led by renowned speakers from North Carolina and across the country. Hear from leaders representing AMHCA, CACREP, Disability Rights North Carolina, and other influential organizations shaping the mental health field nationwide.
Our speakers will share insights on fostering cultural competence, embracing diversity, and creating inclusive, affirming spaces for all clients. As counselors, it's essential that we continue to grow in our understanding of different cultures and lived experiences-and this event is designed to help us do just that.
Celebrate the Progress and Power of the Counseling Profession as we honor its impact and look ahead to a more inclusive and innovative future. Whether you attend live or on demand, you'll gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and meaningful strategies to support your professional growth.
All registrants will receive access to recorded sessions on demand, giving you the flexibility to engage with the content at your convenience. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired with fellow professionals from across the country.
Research supports the long-held observation that thoughts of ending a marriage are common, and that people often remain ambivalent about divorce well into the legal process of martial dissolution. Divorce ambivalence is a frequent topic in therapy, even when it is not among presenting problems, yet graduate training programs do not necessarily provide training on how to intervene with clients struggling with divorce ambivalence. In fact, recent research suggests that individual (and couples) therapists may often resort to relationship-undermining statements when clients discuss problems in their marriage.
An important step for psychologists and other mental health professionals is to understand the unique interaction patterns common to couples in crisis and some of the common clinical challenges to expect. Likewise, we know that many of these couples come with a “mixed agenda” such that only one partner is strongly favoring divorce. In these situations, it is important to recognize and respond to the unique needs of the spouse who is leaning out of the marriage. Therapeutic response may be different in those situations where the dissatisfied spouse is describing “hard reasons” for wanting a divorce (e.g., abuse, addictions, affairs) versus “soft reasons” (all others, including poor communication, feeling distant, etc.)
A common therapeutic mistake in mixed agenda couples who are on the brink of divorce is to initiate couples therapy when one spouse is not committed to trying to fix the marriage. Discernment Counseling is an increasingly accepted alternative for these couples. The short-term, highly focused intervention seeks to help couples gain clarity and confidence in their decision making about the path for their marriage.
This educational workshop provides valuable strategies for identifying divorce ambivalence and for addressing the challenges therapists face when indecision about marriage presents in therapy. Participants learn methods of assessing and treating clients who are divorce-ambivalent and "leaning out" of their marriage versus those who are "leaning into" their marriage. Finally, the workshop introduces discernment counseling as a promising process for couples experiencing divorce ambivalence and provides guidance for recognizing individuals and couples who would benefit from discernment counseling.
