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• Can I Do That? Legal, Ethical, and Clinical Considerations for Counselors and Psychological Testing

  • When
    12/13/2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Farmers Table Restaurant 1901 N Military Trail Boca Raton. FL 33431

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  "Can I Do That?" Legal, Ethical, and Clinical Considerations for Counselors and Psychological Testing

  Aaron Norton, LMHC, LMFT

  Description: Survey data demonstrates that many clinical mental health counselors are confused about counselors and psychological testing.  Some think we can only administer and interpret certain types of tests, some think we can administer but not interpret tests, and others think we can do anything a psychologist can do.  Presented by instructors at the National Board of Forensic Evaluator’s “Testing for Forensic Populations” workshop, this training seeks to clarify the issue of CMHCs and psychological testing, as well as introduce CMHCs to a variety of tests that they can use to complete quality clinical and forensic evaluations, as well as to monitor client progress in psychotherapy.  Attendees will be given an introduction to free online assessment measures created by the American Psychiatric Association that they can use immediately with clients, whether they are students, interns, or licensed counselors.  They will also become familiar with state laws related to counselors and testing, sections of the 2020 AMHCA Code of Ethics that pertain to psychological testing, and with legal and ethical practices for billing insurance companies and third party payers for testing services, and they’ll be given a list of recommended psychological tests commonly used for forensic evaluations.
  

  Learning Objectives:

  1.     Summarize laws, ethics, board rules, and billing practices that relate to counselors in testing.

  2.     Identify several psychological tests that can be used to improve clinical practice.

  3.     Utilize Level 1, Level 2, severity measures, disability measures, and other free assessment tools published by the American Psychiatric Association.

  CEU Workshop Agenda

  10:00 AM: Guests arrive, event begins, beverage service available
  10:00 AM-10:30 AM:  Networking 
  10:30 PM-12:00 PM:  Workshop Begins 
  12:00 PM:  Buffet & Dessert - Working Lunch (during presentation) 
  2:00 PM: Workshop Concludes

  3.0 Required Ethics CEU Hours
  

  Aaron Norton, LMHC, LMFT

  Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, trauma treatment, forensic mental health evaluation, forensic behavioral analysis, and forensic psychometry. He serves as Executive Director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators; Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Dept. of Mental Health Law & Policy; Southern Regional Director, Ethics Committee Liaison, and International Counseling Task Force Chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association; and Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association.  

  He co-authored the Forensic Evaluation section of the “AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling,” authored the proposal for AMHCA’s Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Forensic Evaluation (CMHS-FE) credential, served on the expert panel that created the standards and written exam for the Florida Certification Board’s Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) credential and has been published in several journals and professional magazines.  He has 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist, forensic examiner, and clinical supervisor.

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• Art, Play & Sandtray: Introduction to Experiential Therapies

  • When
    01/17/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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  Art, Play & Sandtray: Introduction to Experiential Therapies

  Marla Berger, LMHC, ATR, RPT-S, EMDR Trained, Eagala Advanced Certified, Natural Lifemanship Intensive Trained, PATH Int'l Certified TRI

  Description: 

  For many clinicians traditional talk therapy techniques were the only models taught in university....but there has to be another way, right? YES! This hands-on, interactive workshop will introduce clinicians to the power of art, play and sandtray therapies. The theory behind doing, materials needed and theoretical underpinnings will be shared.  No boring lecture - just a ton of fun activities you can turn into game-changing sessions with clients. 

  Learning Objectives:

  1. Define Art, Play and Sandtray Therapies
  2. Identify at least 3 materials to use for each modality
  3. Understand the basic theoretical use of art, play and sandtray in therapy
  4. Incorporate at least three new techniques into their sessions for children, teens and adults

  CEU Workshop Agenda

  11:00 am Registration and networking
  11:30 am Self-introductions
  Noon Presentation starts 
  12:45 pm Lunch and networking
  1:15 pm Presentation continues
  2:15 pm Workshop ends
  

  2.0 General CEU Hours

  Marla Berger, LMHC, ATR, RPT-S, EMDR Trained, Eagala Advanced Certified, Natural Lifemanship Intensive Trained, PATH Int'l Certified TRI

  Marla Berger has been working with children, teens and adults providing experiential therapies since 2000.  After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Florida and her Master’s Degree in Art Therapy from University of Louisville, she began to specialize in working with children and their families.   She knows that working through traumatic experiences can be difficult to talk about, so incorporates art, play, sandtray and equine assisted services into her therapy program.  In the wake of the Parkland tragedy in 2018, she has been serving the community in supporting trauma and loss. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Registered Art Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Eagala Advanced Certified in Equine Assisted Services and Natural Lifemanship Intensive Trained Practitioner which is a Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy modality. 
  

  Since 1999, Marla has been speaking locally and nationally on a variety of topics including how to incorporate experiential therapies for grief, loss and trauma. She frequently presents in her art & play therapy office on incorporating experiential modalities in Coral Springs, Florida. 

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• Obsessed: Demystifying the Diagnosis & Treatment of OCDs

  • When
    02/21/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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  Obsessed:  Demystifying the Diagnosis & Treatment of OCD

  Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C

  Description: 

  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions (repetitive, intrusive, and distressing thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions). It's important to note that treatment for OCD typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and ongoing supportive measures and that most clinicians do not get specialized training in treating OCD as part of traditional clinical education.  While many clinicians may find treating individuals with OCD to be daunting and intimidating; quality evidence-based treatments, such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) are available and highly effective in managing OCD symptoms and improving quality of life.  As OCD often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, this training will include considerations for differential diagnosis, as well as guidance on how to develop treatment plans when individuals experience co-morbid OCD, including the use of exposure and response prevention (ERP).

  Learning Objectives:

  1)      Participants will be able to assess clients for overlapping symptom presentations and differentiate OCD from other diagnoses.
  2)      Participants will be able to explain the rationale for utilizing emotional exposure strategies for the management of OCD symptoms.
  3)      Participants will be able to create an individualized exposure hierarchy using a sample case.
  

  CEU Workshop Agenda
  

  11:00 am Registration and networking
  11:30 am Self-introductions
  Noon Presentation starts 
  12:45 pm Lunch and networking
  1:15 pm Presentation continues
  2:15 pm Workshop ends
  

  2.0 General CEU Hours

  Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C
  

  Melanie Smith, PhD, LMHC, CEDS-C, is the Director of Training for The Renfrew Center. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing clinical training and programming that is consistent with emerging research and evidence-based practice. Dr. Smith is co-author of the peer-reviewed treatment manual and patient workbook, The Renfrew Unified Treatment Model for Eating Disorders and Comorbidity published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Smith is a Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Approved Consultant and is a Certified Therapist & Trainer of the Unified Protocol for the Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP).  She also maintains a telehealth private practice in the state of Florida specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety disorders & OCD, clinical supervision and consultation. 

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• Escape: What SUDs and Neuroscience Teach Us About Living Our Best Lives

  • When
    03/14/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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  Escape: What SUDs and Neuroscience Teach Us About Living Our Best Lives 

  Judith Grisel, Ph.D

  Description: 

  To be human is to be discontent. For as long as we’ve been on the planet, human beings have sought ways to dodge unpleasant experiences and improve lackluster ones. This tendency is responsible for all addictions, but is also the catalyst for many of our greatest achievements. Explore the evolutionary imperative that fosters “using”, as well as its benefits and costs, with Judy Grisel, a person in long-term recovery as well as a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Bucknell University.

  Learning Objectives:

  1. Illustrate how the brain ensures discontentedness to promote wellbeing
  2. Describe how addictive substances, as well as process addictions like overeating, gambling, or compulsive use of pornography, exploit and undermine brain circuits that are critical for a successful life
  3. Understand what the pandemic of ‘using’ has to teach us about coping effectively with suffering
  4. Brainstorm ways to help ourselves, and our clients, realize flourishing lives, even in the midst of pervasive angst

  CEU Workshop Agenda

  11:00 am Registration and networking
  11:30 am Self-introductions
  Noon Presentation starts 
  12:45 pm Lunch and networking
  1:15 pm Presentation continues
  2:15 pm Workshop ends
  

  2.0 General CEU Hours

  Judith Grisel, Ph.D
  

  Judy’s research on the use and abuse of recreational drugs began during adolescence. After hitting bottom and getting clean and sober in her twenties, she wondered “Why me?”.  On her journey to answer that question, she went on to earn a doctorate and is now an internationally recognized behavioral neuroscientist and a professor of psychology at Bucknell University with expertise in pharmacology and genetics. In 2019 Judy published a bestselling book Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction, which has since garnered a worldwide audience.

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• Navigating the Baker Act: History, Ethics, and Practical Insights

  • When
    04/18/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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  Navigating the Baker Act: History, Ethics, and Practical Insights

  John Puls, LCSW, MCAP

  Description: 

  The presentation will offer a comprehensive exploration of Florida's mental health landscape through the lens of the Baker Act. The history and evolution of the Baker Act, highlighting key legislative milestones and amendments since its inception in 1972 will be discussed. Ethical considerations form a crucial component, addressing the principles guiding mental health professionals, including confidentiality, autonomy, and the delicate balance between individual civil rights and public safety. We delve into practical aspects, covering the initiation of Baker Acts both in-person and via telehealth, emphasizing the significance of thorough assessments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethics. Practical insights provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the Baker Act process, highlighting the roles of various stakeholders such as law enforcement, mental health professionals, and emergency receiving facilities. The presentation also tackles common misconceptions, seeking to offer clarity on the legal and procedural dimensions of the Baker Act. The incorporation of case studies and real-life examples will be given to foster a deeper understanding of this critical intervention tool. 

  Learning Objectives:

  1. Comprehend the history of and the intended purpose of the Baker Act as it relates to Florida's mental health law reform in 1972
  2. Through understanding ethics and civil rights related to the Baker Act
  3. Complete understanding of initiating the baker in person and telehealth
  4. Review of what happens after the Baker Act is initiated 
  5. Overview of common misconceptions and inaccuracies of the Baker Act  

  CEU Workshop Agenda

  11:00 am Registration and networking
  11:30 am Self-introductions
  Noon Presentation starts 
  12:45 pm Lunch and networking
  1:15 pm Presentation continues
  2:15 pm Workshop ends
  

  2.0 General CEU Hours
  

  John Puls, LCSW, MCAP

  John has been dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of mental health and substance use disorder since 2013, where he began his journey in a support staff role. His commitment to this critical area led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work from Florida Atlantic University, successfully completing the program in August 2016.

  In order to expand his knowledge and enhance his skills, John was accepted into the advanced standing master’s in social work (MSW) program at Florida Atlantic University. He demonstrated exemplary dedication and completed his master’s degree in May 2017. With a focus on excellence and a drive for professional growth, John has since become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) and achieved master’s certified addiction professional (MCAP).

  John’s passion for the field extends beyond clinical practice, as he shares his expertise with the next generation of social workers. He serves as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University’s School of Social Work, imparting knowledge and mentorship to aspiring professionals.

  In recognition of his extensive experience and knowledge, John has become a qualified expert witness. He conducts forensic reviews for cases involving substance use disorder and mental health, contributing valuable insights to legal proceedings.

  Driven by a genuine commitment to community well-being, John is particularly passionate about providing community-based services. His work aims to bridge the gap between conventional treatment and the broader community.

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• Narcissism in Men and Divorce

  • When
    05/16/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

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  Narcissism in Men and Divorce

  Phil Treiber, LMHC, MCAP, NCC and

  Chris Bruce, Divorce and Family Law Attorney

  Description: Many men are often perceived as, and sometimes clinically diagnosed with, narcissism. While some of them may meet the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), in other instances, this clinical presentation may act as a coping mechanism as a result of the way males are socialized. Unfortunately, commonplace terminologies like "narcissism" has become a “pop psychology” term, leading to rampant overuse and may be inaccurately applied, causing misconceptions and aggravating relationship issues, among other harmful consequences.

  Through this presentation, Phil Treiber, LMHC, MCAP, NCC, and Florida Bar Board Certified divorce attorney Christopher Bruce will help you understand how to support your clients best when there is “narcissism in the air,” including practical advice for improving the relationship when all seems lost, better approaching the masculine in the relationship, and how to navigate the legal system when divorce is necessary.

  Learning Objectives:

  1.          Understand the clinical definition of narcissism and what contributes to clients or their spouses being mistaken as a narcissist.

  2.          Comprehend how narcissism manifests in and deteriorates relationships.

  3.          Obtain practical strategies for avoiding divorce when your client is married to a narcissist or phantom narcissist.

  4.          Learn the basics of what happens in a divorce from a difficult person including the biggest myths of the divorce and legal process. 

  CEU Workshop Agenda

  11:00 am Registration and networking
  11:30 am Self-introductions
  Noon Presentation starts 
  12:45 pm Lunch and networking
  1:15 pm Presentation continues
  2:15 pm Workshop ends
  

  2.0 General CEU Hours
  

  Phil Treiber, LMHC, MCAP, NCC

  

  Phil Treiber, LMHC, MCAP, NCC, serves as the proprietor of Dude, Breathe Counseling LLC, a specialized private practice that focuses on the emerging (much needed) field of men’s psychology. The practice offers individual, couples/marriage, and group therapies through a unique approach. The mission of Dude, Breathe is to disseminate accurate information about the challenges of men's mental health, eliminate stigmas, and encourage men to actively seek the necessary assistance to overcome their difficulties.

  Previously, Phil held the position of primary therapist at a dual diagnosis mental health and substance abuse treatment center, concentrating on areas such as substance abuse, anxiety, trauma, and severe mental health.

  Over the past four years, Phil has dedicated substantial time and effort to delve into the realm of men's mental health. Through multiple training sessions, independent research endeavors, and the development of a distinctive approach, he has become well-versed in this domain. Phil has also been featured on various podcasts and has presented for local universities and professional organizations, shedding light on the development of boys and men and offering insights on how mental health professionals can enhance their support for men.

  Chris Bruce, Divorce and Family Law Attorney

  

  Christopher Bruce is a divorce attorney and author of 7 divorce related books. Chris is the founding partner of the Bruce Law Firm, which is a 15 lawyer firm limited to divorce and family law with offices in West Palm Beach, Wellington, and South Boca Raton. He is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Marital & Family Law and is the current co-chair of the Florida Bar committee that writes and grades the examination in Florida for board certification in marital and family law.

  Chris and his law partners represent both men and women, but have a particular passion and focus on helping female clients through divorces from controlling, manipulative, and narcissistic type husbands. While these cases are challenging, Chris strives to take on these representations because he knows his female clients will have a dramatically improved and transformed-for-the-better life once the divorce is over.

  Chris is a strong believer in marriage counseling and therapy. For over 10 years he has maintained the website StayMarriedFlorida.com, which has useful information for those looking to build, have, and keep healthy relationships.

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• Four Relationship Styles: A Closer Look on Attachment Theory and How It Impacts Relationships

  • When
    06/20/2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    Children's Services Council 2300 High Ridge Road Boynton Beach, FL 33426

  Register