ODL 259: A Walk in the Woods: A Survivor’s Path to Healing

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Created on: 6/13/2023 Revised on: 4/2/2025

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

4. Counseling Services
5. Documentation
6. Case Management

Overview:

Childhood trauma can cause long lasting effects that continue through adulthood. These effects can manifest in many different ways. In this powerful one hour interview with a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, we  hear about the tools and resources used to walk through her healing process. Nan O’Connor  walked participants through her journey, from how her trauma manifested into adulthood, to the steps she took to overcome the trauma and live a healthier life. Participants gain incredible insight and a phenomenal resource to use when working with their clients who have also experienced trauma. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Give examples of ways trauma can manifest into adulthood
  • Identify two resources that can be beneficial to people who have experienced trauma
  • Recognize the effects that trauma can have on people

Presenter:

Nan O’Connor, MCC, is a Master Certified Coach and Author of A Walk in the Woods: An Incest Survivors Guide to Resolving the Past and Creating a Great Future. As a sexual abuse survivor Nan has one simple intention – to promote healing for other survivors. Nan has developed a free website with resources for anyone who is on their path of healing. 

Professionally Nan has built a successful business guiding small business owners and corporate executives on creating sustainable growth. Nan is a past president of the Georgia chapter of the International Coach Federation, and certified by the Arbinger Institute. In addition, she has lectured on professional development at Emory University and speaks to audiences around the world. Nan is also the creator of LeaderSkills, a training program that helps turn managers into leaders. 

ODL 257: Resilience and Surviving Trafficking: A Fight for Justice and Holistic Healing

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

3 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 3 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 3 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 3 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 3 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 3 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 3 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 3 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 3 Contact Hours

Revised on 04/30/2025

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

5. Documentation
6. Case Management

Overview:

Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation that harms the well-being of individuals and communities everywhere. There are an estimated 24.9 million victims worldwide at any given time. Sex trafficking is a worldwide epidemic, a tragedy that affects women, men, and children. This course dives into two survivor stories of human trafficking, holistic healing, and resources for professionals. Prosecution and advocacy strategies from a survivor’s perspective are addressed. Multidisciplinary team approaches are highlighted. Dorsey Jones and Phylicia King, survivors, share their story, and the uphill battle they continue to face. Gretchen McCall, BA in Public Health and Supervisor of Braking Traffik, covers the nuts and bolts of human trafficking, holistic healing, resources and much more. This course shines a light on the survivors and unique ways of healing from such a horrific crime as human trafficking.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe at least two ways to engage in holistic healing
  • Identify at least three resources for rescuing victims and helping support survivors of human trafficking
  • Interpret street language and tactics used in the “Life” to pick up cues on assessment to properly treat patients

Presenters:

Dorsey Jones, Speaker, Survivor, Author, and Advocate

Dorsey Laquan Jones is a prolific speaker, author, and youth advocate who carries a message of perseverance, hope, and will power. Dorsey’s story is a testament of overcoming a lot in life and choosing to thrive despite the odds. 

Dorsey’s impactful work to bring awareness to sex trafficking and be a voice for the voiceless has taken her from the lowest lows to the highest highs. Having spoken to over 300 audiences that range from everyday people to mayors, police chiefs, corporations, civic organizations, and government officials. This work is her life’s calling. 

Gretchen McCall, BA, Public Health, Supervisor of Braking Traffik

Gretchen is a social activist and leader in the anti-human trafficking field. She has over four years of experience mentoring survivors of human trafficking and providing education to the community regarding human trafficking. She has provided education to medical students, high school youth, foster care youth, domestic violence shelters and several social service agencies. Her goal is to equip professionals and community members to identify and fight human trafficking. She is a mother, supervisor, bodybuilding champion, personal trainer and is also a survivor of human trafficking and child sexual assault. She has overcome her past traumas and believes that survivors are so much more than their traumas, and the most traumatic experience someone has had doesn’t define who they are and isn’t their identity. Her personal and professional experiences give her the ability to connect and empathize with the survivors she mentors and provide quality education to the community. Her favorite quote when addressing the issue of human trafficking is, “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”- Dr. Wayne Dyer. 

 Phylicia King, Survivor and Educator

Phylicia King is a former social worker turned human trafficking survivor. Phylicia is also a loving daughter, sister, and aunt who loves her family deeply. Phylicia has experience working with adults with intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse. She has always been one to route for the underdogs in life. Phylicia continues to cheer for the underdogs in life. As a survivor of trafficking who was unjustly persecuted, Phylicia’s goal is to share her story to educate the community members, so the same thing doesn’t happen to other victims. Phylicia continues to heal and grow from her past trauma and sharing her experience is one way. Phylicia continues to receive services from an anti-trafficking agency and is working on clearing her criminal record. Phylicia takes each day one at a time and refuses to give up hope.

ODL 256: Disrupting Traffick: Raising Awareness and Focusing on Self-Care

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Created on 07/20/2024

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Human trafficking is a crime of exploitation that harms the well-being of individuals and communities everywhere. There are an estimated 24.9 million victims worldwide at any given time. Sex trafficking is a worldwide epidemic, a tragedy that affects women, men and children.  In this course, Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., will cover the nuts and bolts of human trafficking, statistics, ethics, signs of human trafficking, resources and much more – including founding her non-profit, The Social Justice Cafe for Girls.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify ethics around how vulnerable populations are more susceptible to human trafficking and how to identify and stop this crime
  • Hold awareness of vicarious trauma when discussing this tragic crime and embark in a self-care discussion
  • State at least three ethical principles that overlay the need for helping professionals to be aware of the signs of human trafficking, ways to assist victims and survivors and ways to prevent this horrific crime

Presenter:

Sharnell Myles, Psy.D., and Vice President at Embark Behavioral Health

Dr. Sharnell Myles, Psy. D., is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional who specializes in the treatment of complex trauma. Her dedication to serving children, youth, and adults has spanned over 20 years. Dr. Myles is the CEO/Owner of JoyUs Beginnings Child & Family Wellness Center and The Urban Trauma Positive Impact Center, Inc. which is an exclusive trauma-informed treatment and advocacy center located in Atlanta, Georgia. JoyUs Beginnings provides an array of trauma-informed services to children, adolescents, and adults. Services include trauma informed therapies, trauma assessments, group treatments, gender specific social justice initiatives for girls of color and PeriCare a 2-Gen maternal fetal behavioral health treatment and advocacy initiative. Dr. Myles served as the first and past Clinical Director for youthSpark, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving vulnerable youth who experience exploitation, abuse, and other victimizations. 

Dr. Myles has been appointed to and accepted many leadership positions throughout her career. She is the Chair for the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Mental Health Court – Journey Program Advisory Board and was the Vice Chair of the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Taskforce Workgroup 7 – Survivors Supported and Protected, a member of the Georgia Statewide Multi-Disciplinary Team for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking. Dr. Myles is a subject matter expert and routinely provides expert testimony in legal cases involving child and adolescent trauma, specifically domestic minor sex trafficking. She has presented at various conferences and has experience in vast settings such as clinical, juvenile justice, Department of Defense, and community-based settings. 

Dr. Myles has received numerous awards including the Barack Obama Lifetime Volunteer Award, ACHI Magazine Public Service Award, House of Hope Community Angel Award, and Our Children’s Keeper Community Achievement Award for her work advocating for survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, to name a few. In December 2018, she collaborated with Atlanta Public School Board Member, Erika Mitchell – District 5, and co-authored the first Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Protocol in the state of Georgia. 

Dr. Myles has a Bachelor in Psychology and Master’s degree in Community and Clinical Psychology from Norfolk State University, and a Master’s degree and Doctor of Psychology degree from Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Atlanta, Georgia. In her free time, Dr. Myles enjoys traveling internationally with her family, serving her sorority Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and mentoring. She is also The Founder of Social Justice Cafe for Girls Initiative.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 Ethics Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors 2 Ethics Hours or 2 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP- 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 255: End of Life Rituals and Ceremonies

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Revised on: 4/29/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

In this one hour course  Gabrielle Jimenez, LVN, CHPLN, Hospice Nurse, End of Life Doula, Author, Educator, and Founder of the Hospice Heart with over 150,000 followers, shares powerful rituals and ceremonies that can provide comfort to both those who are dying and those who are saying goodbye. Do not miss this unique course where Gabby speaks openly about all aspects of end-of-life to empower you as a professional to navigate these difficult conversations with your clients and their loved ones.  Please note, it will be beneficial to have a candle and a lighting tool for the ritual presentation at the end of the course.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify one example of a ritual or ceremony that can be done at the end of life
  • Describe the benefits of performing rituals and ceremonies
  • Discover different ways one can honor their loved ones in the end of their life

Presenter:

Gabrielle Jimenez, LVN, CHPLN, Hospice Nurse, End of Life Doula, Author, Educator, and Founder of the Hospice Heart with over 98,000 followers

Gabrielle “Gabby” Jimenez is a hospice nurse, an end-of-life doula, and a conscious dying educator. She has written four books, writes a weekly blog, and has a hospice Facebook page which has 96,000 followers. Her focus is on trying to change the culture relative to death and dying, helping others to feel more comfortable talking about death. And while she sees a lot of death, what she really finds joy in are her lessons, which are about love, life, culture, tradition, and faith. She combines her experience as a hospice nurse with her in-depth doula training to help her to be more present at the bedside, bringing both patient and family together at that intimate moment of death. She teaches courses on end-of-life care which are helpful to anyone who works in this field, offering guidance to someone who is navigating or caring for someone who has a terminal illness. She also teaches two Ritual & Ceremony classes, one that focuses on grief and loss, and another that focuses on forgiveness of self and others. The legacy she hopes to leave behind is that she helped improve the way people are cared for when they die and that she inspired others to do this work well.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 254: The Death Deck

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This course will be decommissioned on 11/1/2023
Please ensure you have completed the course by that date.

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Discussing end of life wishes is often a taboo topic and one that is avoided at all costs. This course will provide discussion of The Death Deck, a tool for professionals and families that can be used to facilitate a discussion about death in a fun way. The Death Deck creators Lori LoCicero and Lisa Pahl, LCSW, lead participants through an exploration of their thoughts and feelings related to a range of end-of-life topics. They  provide education on how to initiate conversations on death, dying, and grief within professional and personal practice.  

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify three strategies for initiating conversations about death and dying
  • Describe the benefit of utilizing this type of tool for professionals
  • Name examples of end of life interventions that should be discussed with family members

Presenters:

Lisa Pahl, LCSW

Lisa Pahl, LCSW, is co-creator of The Death Deck, a lively and humorous card game that inspires meaningful conversations on what matters most in our lives and in our deaths. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over fifteen years experience within hospice and emergency medicine, Lisa helps people cope with illness, dying, and grief. With a passionate belief that peace at the end begins with meaningful conversations over time, Lisa engages people in talking about and preparing for this important stage of life. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, teenage son, and two cats, Pickle and Peanut. You can find out more about her and The Death Deck at thedeathdeck.com

Lori LoCicero, Writer and Co-Creator of the Death Deck

Lori LoCicero is a freelance writer and the co-creator of The Death Deck. A creative storyteller and eternal optimist, Lori combines her personal stories of loss with her innate sense of humor to write about life and talk about death. She has written and directed independent films, documentaries, and a variety of live gala events. Her upcoming memoir offers readers an intimate look at loss and her discovery of post-traumatic growth and was the catalyst for creating The Death Deck: a lively and humorous card game that inspires meaningful conversations on what matters most in our lives and in our deaths.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 253: At the Bedside: When Death is Near

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Created on 5/22/24 Revised on 4/24/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Helping professionals are often called upon to help others through their grief and loss even when they are experiencing those same feelings. Feelings of grief and loss can be compounded when circumstances surrounding the loss are traumatic as well. In this course, Gabby Jimenez, creator of The Hospice Heart,  shares practical tips and tools to help you to feel more comfortable and confident at the bedside of someone who is dying.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify three strategies for initiating conversations about death and dying
  • Identify three skills needed for being at the bedside of someone who is dying
  • Describe one tool that helping professionals can use to uphold dignity of those who are dying

Presenter:

Gabrielle Jimenez, LVN, CHPLN, Hospice Nurse, End of Life Doula, Author, Educator, and Founder of the Hospice Heart with over 144,000 followers

Gabrielle “Gabby” Jimenez is a hospice nurse, an end-of-life doula, and a conscious dying educator. She has written four books, writes a weekly blog, and has a hospice Facebook page which has 144,000 followers. Her focus is on trying to change the culture relative to death and dying; helping others to feel more comfortable talking about death. And while she sees a lot of death, what she really finds joy in, is her lessons, which are about love, life, culture, tradition, and faith. She combines her experience as a hospice nurse with her in-depth doula training to help her to be more present at the bedside, bringing both patient and family together at that intimate moment of death. She teaches courses on end-of-life care which are helpful to anyone who works in this field, offering guidance to someone who is navigating or caring for someone who has a terminal illness. She also teaches two Ritual & Ceremony classes; one that focuses on grief and loss, and another that focuses on forgiveness of self and others. The legacy she hopes to leave behind is that she helped improve the way people are cared for when they die, and that she inspired others to do this work well. 

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 252: The Family Caregiver: An Asset to Professional Caregivers

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This course will be decommissioned on 11/1/2023
Please ensure you have completed the course by that date.

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Perhaps it was the pandemic, perhaps it is just long overdue, but people are realizing the need to talk about, plan, and prepare for their own death and that of a loved one. People are clamoring for guidance, a safe space to discuss, and more than just tropes and platitudes on this ubiquitous reality, yet most professionals are unsure and intimidated by death and grief as topics therefore unable to really come through. This course features  Jennifer O’Brien, better known as The Hospice Doctor’s Widow,  reviewing the very important role of caregivers at the end-of-life.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Recognize the elements of family caregiver stressors and challenges and how they may play a role in healthcare provision and the professional relationship.
  • Identify ways to incorporate the family caregiver as an asset and extender.
  • List easily accessible resources for family caregiving and end-of-life planning and preparation.

Presenter:

Jennifer O’Brien, MSOD, has helped thousands live and love more fully by recognizing that at the end of life comes death, family caregiving is both the hardest job and the greatest honor most of us will ever face, and grief is abundant love with no place to go. She is the author of The Hospice Doctor’s Widow: A Journal, an art journal filled with beauty, practical insights, humor, and heart. The book has won a Nautilus silver award in the Death & Dying/Grief & Loss category, a Next Gen Indie Book gold for Relationships, an Independent Publishers (IPPY) bronze for Gift, and an International Impact Award for its Design.

For 35 years she has been a practice management educator of physicians and served as CEO for two large medical practices. She has authored over 55 articles and made hundreds of presentations. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree in organization development from Loyola University – Chicago.  She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 249: Caregiver Mental Health and Ethics in Practice

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Ethics CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors – 1 Ethics Hour or 1 Contact Hour
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Revised on 4/25/25

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

6. Case Management
7. Discharge and Continuing Care

Overview:

This course aims to provide helping professionals with insight to the challenges that caregivers face daily and our ethical obligations in practice. The course will explore common challenges faced by caregivers, the impact of caregiver mental health on care recipients, boundaries, cultural competence, and advocacy. Strategies for promoting caregiver mental health and self-care will also be covered, emphasizing the importance of addressing caregiver needs to ensure quality care. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Recognize the emotional toll that caregivers endure on a daily basis and identify ways to help caregivers 
  • Identify some of the challenges faced by caregivers and solutions that can be implemented
  • Examine some ethical principles/dilemmas that can arise around caregiving, care partner mental health and advanced care planning and how the helping professional can assist in resolving these 

Presenter:

Lauren Snedeker, DSW, LSW, LMSW, Assistant Professor of Teaching Coordinator for the MSW Certificate in Aging and Health Rutgers School of Social Work

Lauren Snedeker is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Coordinator for the MSW Certificate in Aging and Health Program at Rutgers School of Social Work. Her areas of practice and scholarly interests focus on the aging experience, mental health during older adulthood, and caregiving experiences. Educating about the rich, clinical opportunities that exist in gerontological social work, mentorship and building community for MSW students are Lauren’s passions.

Lauren holds a master’s degree in social work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University and received her Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from Rutgers School of Social Work. Over the course of her career, Lauren has worked in diverse settings serving the older adult population, such as hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers and privately by conducting home visits. She has experience working with individuals, families and caregivers. Additionally, Lauren has developed training, graduate-level curricula, content for continuing education events and professional conferences, and articles on age-related topics.

Lauren’s early research focused on debunking dominant narratives of the aging experience through qualitative inquiry. Lauren’s current research project includes a qualitative study with gero-focused social workers to better understand their workforce experiences and therefore increase the amount of those interested in this practice area.  Lauren is also leading two research projects at Rutgers University that focus on interdisciplinary work between interpreters and social workers, and ways the school can lead age-friendly efforts on campus.

ODL 250: The Oldest of the Old: An Overview of “The 90+ Study”

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Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

If increases in life expectancy continue, more than half of all children born today can expect to celebrate their 100th birthday.   It will be imperative that care providers and stakeholders come together to share evidence-based practices and innovative strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of our aging communities. Dana Greenia, RN, MS, Featured on 60 Minutes “Lessons from the Oldest Old”, will talk about her research on the oldest-old, those 90 years and older. She will cover the discoveries made throughout the study on how participants lived a long and healthy life, as well as contributing factors to dementia. Participants will learn about contributing factors to longevity and come away with tools to use with our aging population. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Summarize the key factors of “The 90+ Study”
  • Describe the necessity of researching those 90 years and older
  • Recognize the importance of helping professionals practicing with longevity in mind

Presenter:

Dana Greenia, RN, MS

Dana Greenia is a Registered Nurse, Clinical Researcher and Co-Investigator in “The 90+ Study”, a NIH-NIA funded population-based investigation of people over the age of 90.  Initiated in 2003, “The 90+ Study” is based in Laguna Woods, California and has enrolled more than 1,960 participants making it likely the largest study of its kind in the world.

With more than 35 years of experience in health care, administration and research, Dana has been at UCI for 18 years in The Department of Neurology and The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders.  She has a wealth of experience coordinating many types of research in aging including longitudinal studies, PET and MRI imaging trials, and genetic and other biomarkers associated with cognitive and functional abilities in the elderly.  Some of Dana’s recent accomplishments include obtaining accreditation for UC Irvine’s Geriatric Neurology Fellowship, and a publication titled: Amyloid Imaging and Cognitive Decline in Non-Demented Oldest Old: The 90+ Study (Alzheimer’s and Dementia, 2013).  She has presented findings at scientific meetings, has given many community lectures, and has presented at national professional conferences.  She was on the cover of My Generation Magazine in May of 2021 after giving two lectures in Portland, Maine.  She also coordinated the taping of “The 90+ Study” research titled “Living to 90 and Beyond” that aired in May 2014 and again in November 2020 on the CBS news show 60 Minutes.   The show was such a success, it prompted 60 Minutes Australia to visit and do another taping on the study.  She worked closely with the producers of all three shows providing content and expertise in this challenging field of aging and dementia.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 251: A Survivor’s Perspective: Multidisciplinary Approach to Fighting Human Trafficking

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Created on 03/07/2023

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

In this thought-provoking event, participants will learn insider investigative tips from a sex trafficking survivor who is now a forensic nurse. We will learn the language and secrets of a life in trafficking, how to best work with trafficked victims, and better understand healthcare implications. Rachel D. Fischer, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, will discuss key indicators to identify victims of human trafficking and next steps professionals can take in the healthcare setting, including how to best build a rapport. Prosecution and advocacy strategies from a survivor’s perspective will also be addressed. Lastly, multidisciplinary team approaches will be highlighted for participants. Participants will leave feeling more confident to identify and work with survivors of this horrific form of modern day slavery.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Name at least two signs that a person may be a victim of human trafficking and how to intervene
  • Identify at least three resources for rescuing victims and helping support survivors of human trafficking
  • Interpret street language and tactics used in “The Life” to pick up cues on assessment to properly treat patients

Presenter:

Rachel D. Fischer, BSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, Forensic Nurse Examiner – Legal Nurse Consultant – Educator

A native from Detroit, MI, Rachel is a survivor, leader, and a pioneer in the fight against human trafficking. She has a B.S. in Nursing and specializes in human trafficking research and rescue and finding missing children. Rachel is an ER RN and specializes in adult and pediatric forensic nursing. Rachel began her speaking career in 2013 when she published her autobiography, Taking Back the Pen, and shares her story with various audiences. Rachel collaborates with several anti-trafficking agencies, both statewide and international to combat sex trafficking. Rachel has been to several countries doing research and undercover mission work to collect intelligence from pimps and trafficked victims and has undertaken several rescue operations in retrieval of missing children, many of which have been locally in the United States. As a lived experience expert, Rachel consults with governmental and non-governmental agencies to formulate the best plan of action to fight sex trafficking on both the demand and the supply side. She trains parents and students on social media trends and how to keep kids safe in the digital age.  Her knowledge will awaken and broaden your current knowledge base to highlight the difference you can make in the phenomena of trafficking in your community. She will discuss how you can be a part of helping to meet the needs of these victims and other victims of violence that are not being cared for properly in order to bring justice to families and hold predators and offenders accountable.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

CarePatrol PPP Portal 2023 – 2024

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Overview:

Welcome 2023-2024 Care Patrol Preferred Partnership Program Participants! This exclusive private portal is where you can find all the resources and documents you need to successfully use your PPP membership to grow your referral sources. You can download any of the PowerPoint or PDF documents by clicking on the “Materials” tab within each category, selecting the desired file, and downloading it to your computer.

Filed Under: PPP

ODL 248: Why You are Doing Self-Care Wrong and What You Can Do About It

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Created on: 5/10/2023 Revised on: 3/10/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Professionals in helping industries are known for giving to others at great personal cost.  A study in 2005 showed a burnout rate of 39%.  Unfortunately, the pandemic only added to this.  A study in 2021 showed a burnout rate of 63.7%.  One of the best ways to battle burnout is to practice self-care.  Unfortunately, but understandably, many people adopted self-care routines that added to their burnout.  During this event, participants will learn data on the current trends in burnout amongst helping professionals.  Additionally, we will explore what self-care is not and examine how things such as watching Netflix and scrolling social media accentuate burnout and stress.  Lastly, we will review what self-care is and discuss practices and habits to improve self-care.  Participants will come away with actionable information to improve their self-care.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe burnout and its causes
  • Define self-care
  • Identify activities that masquerade as self-care but are actually detrimental
  • Identify healthy self-care practices and habits

Presenter:

David Williamson

David Williamson has over twenty years of experience in social work.  Over that time he has worked in child protective services, hospice, dialysis and hospital based social work/case management.  In addition, David has ten years experience in progressive leadership roles within the hospital setting and currently serves as a director of case management and patient logistics.  David is a Licensed Master Social Worker and also holds an MBA.

David is passionate about self-care and personal growth.  He spends time at work mentoring and coaching other leaders to grow professionally as well as personally.  He started Soaring Mindset in 2021 after years of working with others as a coach and mentor.  David desires to see others to know their why and live their purpose.

When not working his full time position or his life coaching job, David enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.  He enjoys hiking, photography, reading and learning new things.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 247: The Caring and Compassionate Human: Teaching Kindness and Empathy to People of All Ages

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Created on: 5/10/2024 Revised on: 3/11/2025

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

4. Counseling Services
6. Case Management

Overview:

Bullying has always been an issue in our society, and that has not changed even in 2023. In fact, some would say the prevalence of social media has made it more common. The latest statistics show that 73% of students say they have been bullied in their lifetime and 44% say it has happened in the past 30 days. With 95% of teenagers connected to the internet and 85% of them on social media, cyberbullying is a widespread societal issue. The issue of bullying doesn’t just affect kids; adults are also subject to face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying, although it may be called harassment or stalking. In order to see these statistics decrease, there needs to be an emphasis on teaching kindness and empathy and not just expecting it. This training will focus on explicitly teaching kindness and empathy to children and adults of all ages. Helping professionals will gain knowledge on how to intentionally focus on kindness and empathy in a variety of settings. Participants will leave with strategies for children and adults and hear from an experienced teacher on how he intentionally teaches kindness and empathy in the classroom. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Examine ways to encourage compassion, empathy, and kindness
  • Identify three types of empathy
  • Describe the key elements of empathy
  • Give examples of strategies that can be used to teach kindness and empathy in children and adults
  • Summarize the benefits of being compassionate and empathetic

Presenters:

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading. 

Daniel Gill, Teacher with over 30 years of experience

Daniel Gill was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Iona College with a B.A. in psychology. He served in Vista, the national peace corps. During this time, he counseled young inmates at Rikers Island Prison. He attended Columbia University and graduated with a masters degree in urban education and curriculum. Mr. Gill came to the Montclair School System in September of 1970. This is his 52nd year teaching. He was part of the committee to redesign the middle schools of Montclair in order to desegregate the schools to comply with a court order. In 1984, he led the adoption of Glenfield as a peace site. In 1996, he coordinated the centennial of Glenfield School. In 2004, Mr. Gill and his students wrote a book on the history of Glenfield. It celebrated the Brown vs Board of Education ruling and its effect on desegregating the Montclair Public Schools. The focus of the book was to look at Glenfield as a microcosm of that decision. Mr. Gill has served in the Upward Bound Program at Seton Hall University for 40 years. This program serves high school students from East Orange, Newark and Irvington, New Jersey and provides them with academic and counseling services with the intent of getting them into a college or university upon graduation from high school. Mr. Gill was the recipient of the Robert Merril Scholar Award from Cornell University and was awarded with the Euphema Lofton Haynes Award from the Montclair NAACP. He is part of a recent documentary entitled “The One That Got Away”that dealt with one of his students and how he fell into the gang culture, his subsequent arrest and imprisonment. This year Mr. Gill served on the committee that organized the celebration of Glenfield’s 125th anniversary.  Mr. Gill is the proud father of three children who all graduated from Montclair High School and he enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren and wife, Michelle, who has always provided him with support and encouragement.

ODL 246: Anxious Brains: Identify, Intervene, and Treat the Fear and Worry in Children and Teens

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Created on 04/28/2023

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course will be decommissioned on 10/14/24.
Please ensure you have completed the course by that date.

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Have you noticed an increase in anxiety with your students? Have you wondered what you can do to help? Educators, case managers, social workers, counselors, nurses, and helping professionals need to understand anxiety and appropriate strategies to support students and adults alike.  Join Samantha Conger, LMSW, and school social worker, as we explore warning signs of anxiety, supports, and interventions that can be tailored to a variety of environments to help children and adolescents overcome and cope with anxiety.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  •  Recognize common signs and symptoms of anxiety in the school setting
  •  Describe strategies to support students with anxiety in the school setting
  • Identify anxiety symptoms in adults that work with children/adolescents
  • Give examples of coping skills for adults to utilize to best support students with anxiety
  • Explain school based interventions and approaches to support students

Presenter:

Samantha Conger, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in Iowa and Illinois. Samantha graduated from Augustana College in 2007. Samantha practiced in various settings including child welfare, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Samantha earned her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Iowa in 2016.

Samantha currently works as a school social worker helping students, families, and teachers while working to build and support systems within the education setting.  Samantha enjoys working with professionals and providing relevant training to empower them in their workplace and personal lives.

Samantha currently resides in Iowa with her husband and twin six year olds. Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and home improvement projects.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors   5 Ethics Hours or 5 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 245: Youth and Substance Use

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Created on: 04/22/2023 Revised on: 2/5/25

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

1. Clinical Intake and Screening
2. Clinical Assessment
3. Treatment Plan
4. Counseling Services
8. Legal, Ethical and Professional Development

Overview:

Adolescents go through many important biological and developmental changes. Their brains are growing rapidly, and they are constructing imperative cognitive and emotional processes. They inherently seek novelty and risk, which can often lead to experimentation with substance use and the development of addictive behaviors. Statistics show that the earlier an adolescent begins using substances, the greater likelihood they will develop addiction. Unfortunately, only about 30% of all treatment facilities in the United States today have specialized services for adolescents. Furthermore, treatment of adolescent substance use and addictive behaviors can be challenging due to unique treatment issues such as identity formation and addiction conceptualization. Presented by Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW, ADC-IP, a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work, this training will examine the connection between adolescent development and substance use; substance use trends and prevalence among adolescent populations; various risk, protective, and system factors that impact adolescent substance use and current treatment services.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Discover the complexities of adolescent development
  • Summarize the current trends in and prevalence of adolescent substance use
  • Examine risk and protective factors influencing adolescent substance use
  • Identify the unique substance use patterns and treatment needs of diverse adolescent populations
  • Describe the theoretical models of addiction and current laws used to guide adolescent behavioral health care systems, treatment services and recovery support

Presenter: 

Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina College of Social Work

Rhonda DiNovo serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Coordinator, and Coordinator of the Graduate Drug and Addictions Studies Certificate Program in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.   She teaches students important theoretical and practical approaches in interdisciplinary health and mental health, as well as principles and practices of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy.   DiNovo also serves as Field Supervisor and Director of the West Columbia Outreach Program, a police social work outreach service offered through the West Columbia Police Department that provides brief screening, assessment and referral to treatment services and community resources to those in mental health and substance use crises.  Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in the College of Social Work, Rhonda served three years as Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education for the University of South Carolina, and eight years as Prevention Specialist for adolescents and their families at LRADAC.

ODL 244: An Overview of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Action Oriented Clinical Approach

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Created on: 3/31/2023 Revised on: 1/13/2025

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

As a clinician it is important to have knowledge of various therapeutic models and useful interventions to help clients. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, is emerging as a very promising and evidenced-based therapeutic modality to treat a host of mental health conditions. ACT incorporates elements of CBT and DBT into its framework, while also including some unique tenets and approaches. Join this full day workshop to learn about the fundamental philosophies of ACT, including the six core processes. Discover how ACT approaches unhelpful thinking, difficult emotions, and problematic behaviors. ACT is evidenced based for depression, anxiety, suicide, trauma, and many more mental health conditions. Learners will find ACT approaches and interventions relevant to a variety of clients in diverse settings through examining case studies, video clips, and worksheets. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of ACT basic principles and psychological flexibility
  • Identify the six core processes of ACT
  • Name at least two ACT interventions in clinical practice
  • Examine on methods and rationale for incorporating ACT interventions into work with clients
  • Discover and utilize ACT methods such as metaphors, cognitive fusion, and self as context with clients

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW,  and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 243: Healthcare Workers as Elder Justice Gatekeepers

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Created on: 03/23/2023 Revised on: 1/8/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Elder abuse is a complex and dramatically underreported issue correlated with increased usage of healthcare systems, including emergency rooms, sub-acute rehabilitation programs and long-term care facilities. These institutions are therefore uniquely positioned to address this epidemic.  As part of the discharge planning process, front-line healthcare workers assess patients’ functional status, environment and support systems. This process provides the opportunity and authority to identify survivors of elder abuse and to provide elder abuse prevention and intervention services. This presentation will discuss forensic biomarkers that can indicate elder abuse and provide assessment and intervention strategies for healthcare workers.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Recognize factors that contribute to abuse going undetected within health care settings
  • Identify forensic biomarkers that can indicate abuse
  • Demonstrate current practice to include elder abuse assessment techniques and reporting procedures

Presenter:

Lisa Bednarz, LCSW, CMAC, ACM-SW, ASW-G, is the Regional Director of Case Management for Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health. 

Lisa began her career serving as a community guardian for incapacitated older adults before joining NewYork-Presbyterian’s distinguished geriatrics team, and ultimately moving fully into healthcare leadership. She has front-line experience navigating the intersection of the healthcare and legal systems and uses this knowledge to educate physicians on ethical issues in gerontology, including capacity assessments and elder abuse. She has developed and implemented screening tools and response protocols to address elder abuse within the acute care setting. Lisa has advanced training in trauma-focused care, family systems, and healthcare management. She is a former Hartford Fellow in Geriatric Mental Health and a former advisor for the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team at Weill Cornell Medical College. Lisa operates a small geriatric care management practice and acts as a consultant and speaker on psychosocial health in the aging population and ethical decision-making in work with cognitively impaired clients. Lisa lives in New York City with her family.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 242: Recognize, Respond and Empower: Promoting Growth and Resilience through a Trauma Informed Lens

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Created on: 03/10/2023 Revised on: 1/2/2025

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers,  counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Trauma Informed Care has been all the buzz with organizations being trauma informed and practitioners utilizing a trauma informed approach, but have you wondered what this actually looks like? Do you want to know how you can be trauma informed or how to assess your own trauma informed approach? If you answered “yes”, then this event is for you! Participants will hear the story of a survivor and the factors that led to her success. Throughout the rest of the course, participants will learn how to implement a framework in which they  recognize, respond, and empower the populations they work with. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe the four R’s of trauma informed care
  • Identify the principles of trauma informed care
  • Discover strategies that are trauma informed to use in practice
  • Evaluate the own practice and whether it is trauma informed
  • Formulate a plan for implementation of a trauma informed approach

Presenters:

Nan O’Connor, MCC

Nan O’Connor, MCC, is a Master Certified Coach and Author of A Walk in the Woods: An Incest Survivors Guide to Resolving the Past and Creating a Great Future. As a sexual abuse survivor Nan has one simple intention – to promote healing for other survivors. Nan has developed a free website with resources for anyone who is on their path of healing. 

Professionally Nan has built a successful business guiding small business owners and corporate executives on creating sustainable growth. Nan is a past president of the Georgia chapter of the International Coach Federation, and certified by the Arbinger Institute. In addition, she has lectured on professional development at Emory University and speaks to audiences around the world. Nan is also the creator of LeaderSkills, a training program that helps turn managers into leaders. 

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours

Counselors 5 Ethics Hours or 5 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours

Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Ethics Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 241: Assessing and Treating Substance Use Disorders and Stigma

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Created on 4/1/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Substance use is a growing problem in the United States and around the world.  Substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors are often exhibited with co-occurring health and mental health disorders and may include polysubstance use patterns.  Often, clients who need help because of substance use disorders do not recognize the problem and are reluctant to seek treatment services.  As helping professionals, it is imperative to know how to identify and assess clients and their families for substance use disorder and ensure they receive the appropriate level of evidence-based therapeutic intervention. Presented by Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina, College of Social Work, this workshop will examine the ethical standards and evidence-based practices involved in assessing and treating individuals and families with substance use disorders and the addictive and co-occurring disorders that so often accompany them.  

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Discover the recovery-oriented systems of care that include an integrated continuum of service levels from health promotion to prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery for diverse populations
  • Summarize current, relevant information on assessment, therapeutic intervention, and recovery services for individuals and their families who suffer with substance use disorders and addictive and co-occurring disorders 
  • Apply a variety of screening and assessment tools to accurately diagnose substance use disorders
  • Examine treatment and recovery strengths and challenges to develop SMART treatment goals  
  • Identify ethical standards for working with diverse individuals, families, and groups impacted by substance use disorder

Presenter:

Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina College of Social Work

Rhonda DiNovo serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Coordinator, and Coordinator of the Graduate Drug and Addictions Studies Certificate Program in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.   She teaches students important theoretical and practical approaches in interdisciplinary health and mental health, as well as principles and practices of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy.   DiNovo also serves as Field Supervisor and Director of the West Columbia Outreach Program, a police social work outreach service offered through the West Columbia Police Department that provides brief screening, assessment and referral to treatment services and community resources to those in mental health and substance use crises.  Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in the College of Social Work, Rhonda served three years as Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education for USC and eight years as Prevention Specialist for adolescents and their families at LRADAC.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 3 Ethics and 2 Clinical CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors – 5 Contact Hours including 3 Ethics*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 230: Ethical Considerations when Working with Older Clients

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Created on 02/01/2023 Revised on: 12/2/24

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Helping professionals (social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers) that practice in spaces with older adults can experience scenarios that create ethical dilemmas. For example, identifying the ‘right’ path of intervention when working with a client that is neglectful of their own needs, while considering that same client’s right to self-determination. Or, representing an agency and their potentially ageist policies and simultaneously, the rights of your older adult client.  In this case-scenario based course, we will enhance our understanding about how to shape intervention strategies that uphold the standards of our professions, our agencies, and most importantly, the standards for our clients’ quality of life.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Relate and reflect on complex practice scenarios when working with older adults and their communities
  • Analyze (and assess for) instances of ageism, abuse, neglect, and more, that impact our practice with older adults and their communities
  • Identify ways to negotiate between client goals, agency goals, and the goals of our professions

Presenter: 

Lauren Snedeker, DSW, LSW, LMSW

Assistant Professor of Teaching Coordinator for the MSW Certificate in Aging and Health Rutgers School of Social Work

Lauren Snedeker is an Assistant Professor of Teaching and Coordinator for the MSW Certificate in Aging and Health Program at Rutgers School of Social Work. Her areas of practice and scholarly interests focus on the aging experience, mental health during older adulthood, and caregiving experiences. Educating about the rich, clinical opportunities that exist in gerontological social work, mentorship and building community for MSW students are Lauren’s passions.

Lauren holds a master’s degree in social work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University and received her Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from Rutgers School of Social Work. Over the course of her career, Lauren has worked in diverse settings serving the older adult population, such as hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers and privately by conducting home visits. She has experience working with individuals, families and caregivers. Additionally, Lauren has developed trainings, graduate-level curricula, content for continuing education events and professional conferences, and articles on age-related topics.

Lauren’s early research focused on debunking dominant narratives of the aging experience through qualitative inquiry. Lauren conducted an explorative study with older women living alone without readily available caregivers in New York City and the ways they channel their own resiliency. She hopes her research will contribute to better program and policy development for the aging population and help bust myths about aging to her MSW students.  Lauren’s current research project includes a qualitative study with graduates of PhD and DSW focused on gerontology to better understand their experiences and therefore increase the amount of those interested in this level of education.

Lauren is also involved in several workgroups that focus on practice concerns and workforce development in the state of New Jersey.  In a supportive housing workgroup, Lauren is currently assisting on the development of a survey to current workforce members that will inform recommendations that will be shared with the state. 

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors 2 Ethics Hours or 2 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 238: There’s No Place Like Home: Debunking Myths and Exploring Best Practices to Help Clients Age in Place

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Created on: 05/25/2023 Revised on: 3/4/2025

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

All of the nation’s 74 million baby boomers will be 65 and older by the year 2030. Combining this rapidly growing population with the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are choosing to stay in their own homes or plan to stay in their homes as they reach their golden years. Triff Cook, MBA, CMC, Director of Client Services, Aging Life Care Expert, and Active Member of ALCA National Organization since 2009, will walk participants through best practices of helping our clients plan for aging in their own home. This training will debunk all the myths and provide many tried and true resources that helping professionals can use to assess the needs of their aging clients in the home. Triff will bring her years of experience and discuss topics such as the home environment, managing expectations, hoarding, occupational therapy services, technology, and much more!

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Recognize the impact of COVID-19 and aging in the home
  • Give examples of myths and misconceptions regarding long-term care insurance
  • Identify the services that an occupational therapist can help with aging in place
  • List different types of technology that would be beneficial to clients and caregivers

Presenter:

Triff Cook, MBA, CMC 

Triff Cook, MBA, CMC served as the Director of Client Services for over 15 years at a large home care company.  In addition, Triff is also a Geriatric Care Manager.  A Geriatric Care Manager is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. The Geriatric Care Manager is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to care management. Triff is certified in Alzheimer’s Care and is a resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs, including helping those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinson’s or exhibiting symptoms of dementia.  She speaks often to groups on topics related to healthy aging. 

Triff  is a graduate of Dartmouth College and has an MBA from Emory University.  She received her certification in Geriatric Care Management in 2009 from the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, now known as Aging Life Care Association.  A resident of Atlanta since 1980, Triff paints gardens and is learning to play bridge-a game long associated with healthy aging!

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 General CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 240: Suicide Assessment and Intervention

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Created on: 02/17/2023 Revised on: 12/9/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

One of a clinician’s biggest responsibilities is assessing and intervening with suicidal clients. In this training, comprehensive suicide assessment tools and approaches will be discussed. Learn about best practices for completing a thorough suicide assessment. Discover evidenced-based intervention methods to address suicidality and reduce risk. Classify legal and ethical requirements for effective practice. Leave this workshop with newfound confidence and skills to support suicidal clients.  

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  •  Identify thorough suicide assessment procedures and practices
  •  Formulate a risk level and employ strategies to reduce suicidality
  •  Explain therapeutic approaches for supporting suicidal clients
  •  Apply evidenced-based approaches to intervene with suicide
  •  Identify legal and ethical requirements for effective practice

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work –  5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 236: Motivational Interviewing and Ethical Practices

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Created on 06/14/2024 Revised on: 11/19/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Motivational Interviewing is an effective ethical technique for professionals in many practice settings to engage in meaningful conversations with clients to help facilitate attitude and behavior change.  This workshop examines a brief definition and history, theoretical framework, style and spirit, process, and techniques of motivational interviewing.  The workshop also explores how biases and diversity influence behavior and services, and provides tools for reflection, self-monitoring and regulation to manage personal values and maintain professional standards of practice.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Recall the basic terminology and framework of motivational interviewing
  • Examine the meaning of using style and spirit with motivational interviewing techniques
  • Express understanding of the motivational interviewing process
  • Identify basic techniques for using motivational interviewing in each process step
  • Identify and evaluate how biases and diversity influence Motivational Interviewing practice
  • Discover the practice of reflection, self-monitoring and regulation to ensure ethical practice in Motivational Interviewing

Presenter:

Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina, College of Social Work

Rhonda DiNovo serves as Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Coordinator, and Coordinator of the Graduate Drug and Addictions Studies Certificate Program in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.   She teaches students important theoretical and practical approaches in interdisciplinary health and mental health, as well as principles and practices of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy. Professor DiNovo also serves as Field Supervisor and Director of the West Columbia Outreach Program, a police social work outreach service offered through the West Columbia Police Department that provides brief screening, assessment and referral to treatment services and community resources to those in mental health and substance use crises.  Prior to becoming a full-time faculty member in the College of Social Work, Rhonda served three years as Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education for USC and eight years as Prevention Specialist for adolescents and their families at LRADAC.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 3 Clinical and 2 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
5 Contact Hours including 2 Ethics*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 239: Undermining the Cultural Power: Understanding Systemic Racism and Code Switching

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Created on 02/10/2023 Revised on 12/6/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Helping professionals are on the frontlines of many disparities that people face on a daily basis, and systemic racism is one of them. While we as helping professionals are trying to decrease the number of barriers our clients or patients face, we are up against an enormous barrier for our clients or patients who identify as BIPOC. This full day event will provide a discussion of how we as a society arrived at this place of oppression and what we can do to help. We will dive into systemic racism and what we see daily in many different sectors. Discussion will consist of the impacts on our clients and patients mental health, financial well-being, and overall health. We will also discuss the impact on organizations and how systemic racism contributes to organizational moral and higher levels of burnout. Participants will leave this full day of learning with a personal action plan to combat the negative effects of systemic racism for themselves or their clients and patients. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Name three examples of systemic racism
  • Identify one event in history that contributed to systemic racism
  • Define systemic racism
  • Define code-switching
  • Name three examples of code-switching 

Presenter:

Kendra O’Berry, LCSW

Kendra O’Berry, LCSW, is a graduate of Valdosta State University with her Bachelor’s in English and Master’s degree in Social Work. She is an LCSW and has been working in the medical and mental health fields for most of her career. She is a wife, mother, and travel enthusiast. It is her hope to be able to educate not only her peers but as many in the community as possible of their rights, and how to live their best lives.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 235: Resilience and Ethics: Supporting Our Helping Professionals

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Created on 10/20/2023 Revised on 10/4/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Since the pandemic, helping professionals have experienced record levels of burnout, stress and compassion fatigue.  While many trainings focus on self-care, this training focuses on exploring the concept of resilience.  During this course created to support our helping professionals,  participants will have the opportunity to learn about their own individual resilience through various exercises.  In addition, we explore the definition and four categories of resilience.  We also review our ethical obligations as helping professionals to build our own resilience around ethics of self-care and other critical principles, helping our clients with their resilience, warning signs that our tanks are low, and tips and tricks to fill them back up. Participants will walk through creating their own plan to build resilience and will finish with free tools to use both professionally and personally. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe the definition of resilience and how we have an ethical obligation to ensure we are caring for ourselves.
  • Identify the four categories of individual resilience.
  • Identify strategies to build resilience with our clients and within ourselves as helping professionals.

Presenter:

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Ethics CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Ethics Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
1 Ethics Hour or 1 Contact Hour*
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 237: Ethics of Self-Determination in Healthcare Settings

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Created on 06/14/2024 Revised on 11/20/24

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Healthcare settings present service providers with diverse patient situations and circumstances which sometimes involve ethical dilemmas. Learners will gain an overview of key social work ethical principles and frameworks. Specific ethical dilemmas in medical settings will be introduced for learners to critically analyze through case studies, including decisional capacity, competence, cultural factors, and autonomy. Participants will be encouraged to use critical thinking skills, ethical principles, and ethical decision-making models to arrive at best practice decisions regarding medical self-determination cases. A grand case study will be presented for learners to address and respond to by participating in discussion and reflection.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify key ethical concepts and considerations in medical self determination.
  • Analyze self determination ethical dilemmas in case studies.
  • Summarize social work code of ethics values, principles and standards.

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW,  and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 Ethics CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Ethics Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors 
1 Ethics Hour*
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 215: An Introduction to the Enneagram and Applications in Daily Practices

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Revised on 3/7/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

The Enneagram is a personality system that helps us understand ourselves and one another, like the Myers-Briggs. This personality system is unique because it not only helps us understand our persona but also invites us to grow emotionally and spiritually. The Enneagram includes nine personalities and each of these personalities has considerable strengths and weaknesses. Each personality also has one particular Achilles heel, and once we become aware of this, we are more able to move toward transformation and life.  The Enneagram says we have one primary number, but that all nine numbers live in us.   This insight helps us know ourselves and those around us better – including clients, co-workers, and others – allowing for improved interactions and insight into psychotherapy as well.  This course will review the nine Enneagram types, unconscious and needed childhood messages, arrows of strength, arrows of stress, and mantras around self-help with each Enneagram number.  Using self-awareness and other interactive exercises, didactic learning, and insights of applying the Enneagram in day-to-day clinical practice, this introductory course will provide an excellent overview of this tool.  

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  •  Identify at least three of the nine Types of Enneagram personalities.
  •  Restate how unconscious childhood messages and needed childhood messages can affect each “number” of the Enneagram.
  •  Define the concept of “the arrows of strength” and the “arrows of stress” and the “wings” for each number.
  •  Associate the mantras around self-care of each of the Enneagram numbers.
  •  Identify ways the Enneagram might be used in psychotherapy and in our day-to-day dealings with others – including our clients/patients and co-workers.  

Presenters:

Yekaterina Smith, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, www.theyogasmith.com, and Co-host of Enneagram+Yoga Podcast

As a yoga teacher, Kat feels a deep passion for practicing and instruction. Yoga empowers her to find her inner strength both on and off her mat. It helps Kat live her life with mindfulness and joy, as well as reach a balance of a healthy body and a peaceful mind. Kat feels honored and overjoyed to share her love of yoga with each and every one of her students.

Kat is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. She holds an RYT 500 certification through Yoga Alliance and is the co-host of the Enneagram+Yoga podcast. Kat’s website is www.theyogasmith.com

Kat lives on Signal Mountain and enjoys all her time spent with her husband Kevin and their two children, Olive and Reed. Namaste.

Christy Bonner, LMFT, M. Div, Doctor of Ministry, Private Practitioner, and Co-host of Enneagram+Yoga Podcast

Christy Bonner is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified yoga instructor, and a board-certified chaplain. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Emory and Henry College, a Master of Divinity from Emory University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She has a private practice, teaches yoga and co-hosts the podcast, Enneagram+Yoga. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, antiquing, and spending time with her family, friends, husband, and 2-year-old daughter.

Samantha Conger, LMSW

Samantha Conger, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in Iowa and Illinois. Samantha graduated from Augustana College in 2007. Samantha practiced in various settings including child welfare, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Samantha earned her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Iowa in 2016.

Samantha currently works as a school social worker helping students, families, and teachers while working to build and support systems within the education setting.  Samantha enjoys working with professionals and providing relevant training to empower them in their workplace and personal lives.

Samantha currently resides in Iowa with her husband and twin six year olds. Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and home improvement projects.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 234: A Deeper Dive into Dialectical Behavior Therapy

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Created on 01/13/2023 Revised: 9/30/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is not just useful with people who have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). “DBT-informed Treatment” is shown to be quite effective with individuals who do not have BPD. This workshop will introduce learners to the validity of DBT interventions for individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, impulse control, and relationships. Clinicians who utilize DBT-informed approaches can help clients with mindfulness, distress, tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. These four core DBT skills will be explored, and learners will obtain valuable DBT clinical tools to use with a wide variety of clients.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify fundamental principles and tenets of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
  • Describe the four core skills modules and name the primary functions of each skill.
  • Explain clinical applications of each skill through case studies and examples.
  • Name at least two applications of DBT-informed interventions in clinical practice.
  • Identify evidence based tools clinicians can use with clients. 

Presenters:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

6 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 6 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 6 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 6 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 6 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 6 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 6 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 233: An Introduction to the Enneagram and Applications in Daily Practices

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Created on 11/08/2023

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

The Enneagram is a personality system that helps us understand ourselves and one another, like the Myers-Briggs. This personality system is unique because it not only helps us understand our persona, but also invites us to grow emotionally and spiritually. The Enneagram includes nine personalities and each of these personalities has considerable strengths and weaknesses. Each personality also has one particular Achilles heel, and once we become aware of this, we are more able to move toward transformation and life.  The Enneagram says we have one primary number, but that all nine numbers live in us.  This insight helps us know ourselves and those around us better – including clients, co-workers, and others – allowing for improved interactions and insight into psychotherapy as well.  We will be reviewing these nine Enneagram types in this introductory one hour course. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify at least three of the nine Types of Enneagram personalities.
  • Restate how unconscious childhood messages and needed childhood messages can affect each “number” of the Enneagram.
  • Identify ways the Enneagram might be used in psychotherapy and in our day-to-day dealings with others – including our clients/patients and co-workers.  

Presenters:

Christy Bonner, LMFT, M. Div, Doctor of Ministry, Private Practitioner, and Co-host of Enneagram+Yoga Podcast

Christy Bonner is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a certified yoga instructor, and a board-certified chaplain. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Emory and Henry College, a Master of Divinity from Emory University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She has a private practice, teaches yoga, and co-hosts the podcast, Enneagram+Yoga. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, antiquing, and spending time with her family, friends, husband, and 2-year-old daughter.

1 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 231: Meeting the Needs of Medically Complex Patients – An Overview and Case Scenario Review From Discharge Planning to Psychosocial and Spirituality and Lots in Between!

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Created on 02/16/2023

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Medically complex patients require a team-based and patient-centered approach to care. Critical care patients may fall under the following categories of complex medical care: pulmonary/ventilator weaning, neurological/post-trauma, cardiac/heart failure, infectious disease, wound care, and others.    Evidence-based treatment approaches, frequent communication with families and caregivers, and compassionate care are essential for navigating a patient’s care journey.  In this special presentation, critical care specialist, Barbara McLean, MN, RN, CCNS-BC, NP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, and a panel of interdisciplinary experts will present clinical case vignettes in critical care management, highlighting the importance of specialized care, early intervention, and approaches that enhance patient outcomes – including physical, psychosocial, emotional and spiritual needs.  Participants will gain valuable insight, approaches to care, and resources critical to ensuring the best recovery for our medically complex patients.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe communication best practices to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Summarize the important considerations for a patient-centered discharge plan
  • Identify best practices to enhance outcomes of medically complex patients.

Presenters:

Barbara McLean, MN, RN, CCNS-BC, NP-BC, CCRN, FCCM

Barbara McLean, MN, RN, CCNS-BC, NP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, has been in critical care practice for over 40 years. Ms. McLean is a member of many professional organizations including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the American Association of Surgery and Trauma. She has been awarded the excellence in education award by the AACN as well as the circle of excellence for clinical practice in 2014 and the SCCM has presented her with the prestigious Norma J. Shoemaker Award for critical care nursing excellence in 2013. She also received the clinical excellence award in 2014 from Grady Hospital, her home environment.

Apryle Gates, LCSW

Apryle Gates is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15  years of experience in the field of Medical Social Work. She is a Georgia native and the proud mother of two daughters. Her educational background is a BS in human relations counseling & biblical studies from Atlanta Christian College, and a master’s in social work from the University of Georgia. Her hobbies include self-care and time with family. Ms. Gates has worked with various medical organizations such as Piedmont Hospital, Emory University Hospital, Hospice/Palliative Care Organizations, and currently with Grady Memorial Hospital. She has had the opportunity to work with diverse populations/social climates, critical care and ICU settings, trauma and burn unit, and various community organizations.  Her mission statement is “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou.  Her mission is to make a connection with others that will be a catalyst for change. 

​​Benjamin Rose, Chaplain

​​Benjamin Rose has been a healthcare chaplain for over 17 years.  After completing his postgraduate work at Emory University and CPE residency at Grady Memorial Hospital, he worked as a chaplain for Transitions Hospice Care, visiting homebound hospice patients in northwest Georgia. For the past 11 plus years, he has been a staff chaplain at Shepherd Center, a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research, and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other neuromuscular conditions.   Ben is a regular presenter at multidisciplinary conferences where he advocates for co-treating with other disciplines and standardizing chaplaincy within healthcare.  

Burnise Charpentier-Mack, LMSW, CCM

Burnise Charpentier-Mack, LMSW, CCM, earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Florida International University and earned her master’s of social work from Florida State University (Go Noles!!). She has over 20 years of extensive experience as a Medical Social Worker working in various settings, ranging from mental health to high-risk populations. She has worked at prestigious hospitals such as Jackson Health System/UM in Miami, FL to her current role at Shepherd Center as a Case Manager in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. Over the years, she has realized that medically complex cases are the peanut butter to her jelly. She is a mother of four, and if you include her fur babies, Sugar & Spice, she has a grand total of six children.   

Danielle Haskin, MSW

Danielle Haskin, MSW  is a social worker, content strategist, and managing editor with over 12 years of experience as a course development specialist and project manager. With formative roots managing the editorial process of medical textbooks, she found her niche in content development and program evaluation.  Danielle holds a clinically focused Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, concentrating in social policy and evaluation within communities and social systems.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 225: An Overview of Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT)

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Created on 09/20/2023 Revised on 9/25/24

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Clinicians require a vast array of therapeutic tools, approaches, and skills to provide evidence-based treatment to the patients and clients. In this jam packed one hour course we take a deeper dive into Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT).  Griffin Smith, LCSW, provides the history and origin of MBT, a better understanding of the core concepts of MBT, and how mentalizing can be useful in your professional practice and personal life.  Participants  gain evidence-based practice information and skills to incorporate into their everyday practice. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe good versus poor mentalizing and its respective impact on interpersonal relations and role in personality functioning
  • Summarize the core concepts of MBT and articulate the theoretical rationale underpinning them
  • Identify ways in which a focus on mentalizing can be useful in your life and work.

Presenter:

Griffin Blake Smith, LCSW

As a psychotherapist, consultant, and coach, Griffin founded Totus Intuor Counseling & Consulting with the aim of helping individuals and organizations discover greater connection to their world, bridging the gaps between what we experience internally to what we experience externally in our environment. He believes that the most profound and transformative experiences in life are driven by our ability to make these connections. 

As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Griffin specializes in the treatment of interpersonal dysfunction and relational difficulties for adults and adolescents. Commonly, he treats individuals with a history of personality disorder, complex trauma, and adolescent behavioral disorders. Griffin earned a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) at Kennesaw State University in 2016 and a Bachelor of Science in psychology and music minor from Georgia State University in 2013. He trained in psychoanalytic theory and practice at Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute from 2018-2020, certifying in psychoanalytic theory. Griffin receives ongoing training and supervision in mentalization-based treatment (MBT) through the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute at McLean Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School and the Anna Freud National Center for Children and Families. 

Born in the Midwest and raised in the South (Atlanta, GA), Griffin feels most centered spending time with his wife and family, out in nature, and inside his own head, creating new ideas. Recently, he has been occupying much of his time learning and practicing the art of bonsai, while continuing a lifelong love of writing and playing music.

1 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 211: Communication and Ethics of Self-Care

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Revised on 06/14/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Most individuals decide to enter the helping professions because of a deep commitment to help others – often practicing in spaces that interact with people during vulnerable and uncertain times.  As we communicate with our clients/patients on the importance of self-care as a prerequisite for wellbeing, many of us are experiencing compassion fatigue or burnout.  Why is self-care especially important for helping professionals and how does practicing self-care intersect with upholding our professional ethical standards?  In this invigorating presentation, Jenny Buckley, RN, BSN, CHPN, will discuss the necessity for self-care as an ethical imperative, strategies for practicing self-care, and communication best-practices to promote self-care in your professional practice.  Participants will feel renewed encouragement to fuse self-care strategies into their everyday lives.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Describe communication strategies to promote self-care
  • Identify the ethical codes pertaining to self-care 
  • Summarize the ethical imperative of self-care for helping professions

Presenter:

Jenny Buckley, RN, BSN, CHPN

Jenny Buckley, RN, BSN, is a hospice and palliative care nurse with over twenty years of experience caring for individuals with serious advanced illness and their families. Driven by her passion for helping patients navigate their illness experience while keeping their quality of life in mind, Jenny takes pride in providing the best complete care planning and decision assistance for those she serves.  As founder of Jenny Buckley Care Matters, which she started in 2020, her goals include using her extensive personal and professional experience to provide guidance and resources during a family’s serious illness experience. In addition to providing support and presence for those in her care, Jenny is also a cancer survivor, blogger on her site HOPEspot, and a national speaker on topics surrounding hospice and palliative care.    

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hour
Counselors
2 Ethics Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 220: Ethics, Implicit Bias, Cultural Humility and Healthcare Disparities – A Day of Learning Using Video, Case Scenarios, and Ethical Frameworks

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Created on 09/09/2023 Revised on 1/3/2025

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Implicit bias is an “implicit stereotype, an unconscious attribution of particular qualities to a member of a certain social group.” As helping professionals, we have an ethical obligation to explore evidence-based research around the causes of racial disparities in minority communities and work on actively closing these gaps in care.  The diversity of our patient population necessitates a team of professionals equipped with the informational tools needed to provide excellence in care.  The training will address the definition of implicit bias, including appropriate strategies for practice. In addition, the presenter will discuss the component of ethical standards and disparities in the clinical setting throughout training to enhance the knowledge of participating healthcare professionals. From there, we will look closely at mental health disparities in minority communities. Using video and case scenarios, we will explore different views that minority groups may hold regarding mental health. We will also explore potential barriers to care in these communities and ways to overcome them. Finally, we will use the term cultural humility instead of cultural competency and how cultural humility can be used as best practices to understand the cultures and beliefs of others. Using multiple forms of learning and an interactive format– this training will keep you engaged and learning from start to finish!  

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Explain the definition of implicit bias.
  • Examine the influence and ethical considerations of implicit bias in patient care.  
  • Identify evidence-based strategies used to reduce implicit bias.
  • Describe the role of ethical standards in our discussions around implicit bias and healthcare disparities.  
  • Identify three potential contributing factors to health/mental health disparities in minority communities and state ways to overcome these disparities.  
  • Summarize the difference between cultural humility and cultural competency and how cultural humility can be a powerful tool regarding de-escalation practices.  

Presenter:

Kendra O’Berry, LCSW

Kendra O’Berry, LCSW, is a graduate of Valdosta State University with her Bachelor’s in English and Master’s degree in Social Work. She is an LCSW and has been working in the medical and mental health fields for most of her career. She is a wife, mother, and travel enthusiast. It is her hope to be able to educate not only her peers but as many in the community as possible of their rights, and how to live their best lives.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Ethics Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
5 Ethics Hours or 5 Contact Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 219: Solution Focused Approaches in Healthcare Settings

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Created on 09/14/2023

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

The fast-paced nature of healthcare settings challenges clinicians to utilize appropriate intervention models within a specific time frame in which patients may only receive services for a brief amount of time. Solution-focused therapy offers promising approaches to addressing patient needs in a strengths-based, focused interviewing style. This course will explore how solution-focused tenets vary from traditional methods in which healthcare clinicians can utilize basic brief solution-focused inquiries to maximize time and solutions. Clinical tools such as EARS and ROPES will be presented, along with relevant case vignettes for critical thinking.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify four key differences with traditional therapeutic approaches and solution-focused approaches by comparing and contrasting. 
  • Compose at least three solution-focused questions after exploring solution-focused interviewing styles and questions.
  • Identify three benefits of a solution-focused style in healthcare settings and with patients through case vignettes.

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 203: Turning Awareness into Advocacy: Health Disparities in the LGBTQ+ Community

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 2 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours

Revised on 05/16/2024

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Counseling Skill Groups:
4. Counseling Services
5. Documentation
6. Case Management

Overview:

Helping professionals and healthcare providers are trusted with the important role of caring for people during what can be vulnerable moments, and it is imperative that they practice with competence and humility. In this honest conversation, M. Greg Green, Author and Advocate, will provide an overview of the LGBTQ+ community, their diverse health needs, and the bias that they can experience in the systems in which we practice. This course will cover communication tips for utilizing affirming and respectful language – including an understanding of terms related to gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation that people use to self-identify – and promoting sensitivity and acceptance in our practice spaces.  Participants will gain a better understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and the unique challenges and barriers that prevent LGBTQ+ individuals from receiving quality and competent care.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

  • Recognize the bias experienced by the LGBTQ+ community in the social and health systems.
  • Restate respectful language for discussing sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
  • Identify two ways you can advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in your practice environment to promote the highest level of care.

Presenter:

M. Greg Green, Author, Advocate for Transgender Rights, Transitional Consultant, Diversity, Equality, Justice, Inclusion Conversation Facilitator

M. Greg Green, Author, Advocate for Transgender Rights, Transitional Consultant, Diversity, Equality, Justice, Inclusion Conversation Facilitator. A native of South Carolina, Greg graduated from The Citadel in 2006 with a degree in Psychology. After working 5 years as a Police Officer and Firefighter, he began working in the trade business at FedEx. Greg has been a member of Tau Kappa Phi Inc, a non-profit LGBT Greek lettered organization since 2004. During this time, he helped to maintain a space within Tau Kappa Phi for transgender men, Alpha Omega Kappa Fraternity, Inc. serving as the first president of the organization. Greg served as a moderator for a transgender support group at Garden of Grace United Church of Christ.  He has been on the board of South Carolina Equality as the chairman of the Trans Action Task Force, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Harriet Hancock Center and The Citadel African American Alumni Association. Greg has spoken in Washington DC with the U.S. Department of Justice; Federal Bureau of Prisons, Dorn VA Hospital, Federal Correctional Institution; Edgefield, SC, Federation of Families Summer Summit, The International Conference on Stigma, and various other engagements. He is a facilitator with Beyond Conflict, a Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training organization. He is also the CEO of Miskonception, LLC, a diversity training organization with a heavy focus on the LGBTQ+ community.

ODL 213: Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Healthcare Setting

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Revised on 11/19/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

The fast-paced nature of healthcare settings requires clinicians to have brief and effective methods of intervening with client problems. Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy provides clinicians with a framework and tools for successful outcomes. This training will present an overview of the CBT model, along with discussing the brief form of this model. Specific interventions for healthcare settings will be explored, including the “10 Minute CBT” framework and helpful clinical tools. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Explain the CBT model and discuss the brief form
  • Identify appropriate interventions for brief intervention in healthcare settings
  • Describe implementation of brief CBT by analyzing clinical tools and resources

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational trainings to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 210: A Deeper Dive: Mandatory Reporting for Child Abuse and Elder Abuse

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Revised on 07/15/2023

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

All states designate certain professionals as mandated reporters. Some states even require that all citizens report. Those of us in the helping professions are amongst those that are mandated reporters of child and elder abuse. Many of us also have a requirement to complete mandatory reporting training that is approved by our state or licensing boards, but do you ever get through that and still have many questions? Have you ever had a case where you were not sure if it should be reported? Have you ever wondered how much or how little information you need? Lastly, have you ever made a report and wondered why there was no investigation? This event will dive deeper into case scenarios using federal and a variety of state guidelines, so all participants leave feeling confident about reporting child and elder abuse. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Summarize federal reporting requirements for child and elder abuse
  • Identify your own state’s reporting requirements for child and elder abuse
  • Describe the ethical obligations of mandatory reporting
  • List the different types of abuse and their legal definitions for child and elder abuse
  • Give examples of when to report abuse and when to not report abuse

Presenter:

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading. 

Samantha Conger, LMSW in Iowa and Illinois and School Social Worker

Samantha Conger, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in Iowa and Illinois. Samantha graduated from Augustana College in 2007. Samantha practiced in various settings including child welfare, inpatient and outpatient mental health, and substance abuse treatment. Samantha earned her Master’s of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Iowa in 2016.

Samantha currently works as a school social worker helping students, families, and teachers while working to build and support systems within the education setting.  Samantha enjoys working with professionals and providing relevant training to empower them in their workplace and personal lives.

Samantha currently resides in Iowa with her husband and twin six year olds. Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and home improvement projects.

Anna Thomas, MS Gerontology, CACTS

Anna Thomas is a POST certified instructor, the manager of the Division of Aging Services- Forensic Special Initiatives Unit and most recently a Forensic Specialist with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crimes Against the Elderly and Disabled Task Force (CADE).  CADE’s mission is to protect older and disabled adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older and disabled adults, and to prosecute offenders. 

As a graduate of the University of Georgia, Anna holds a degree in Criminal Justice and a degree in Psychology as well as a Master of Science in Gerontology from Brenau University.  After interning with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Anna began her career as an Investigator for the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office. For 5 years she was assigned to a trial team that mainly handled crimes against persons.

In 2008, Anna became a Victim Advocate at the Hall County District Attorney’s Office where she served on the Child Fatality Review Board and the Hall County Domestic Violence Task Force. For 8 years, Anna assisted victims of crime with service referral and guidance through court and the criminal justice system, and aided prosecutors at trial.

In 2016, Anna transitioned to high-level victim advocacy focused on older adults and adults with disabilities. Currently, her work at the Division of Aging Services and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation centers on training primary and secondary responders how to recognize and respond to elder and disabled adult abuse, researching gaps in current victim services, developing new laws to protect vulnerable adults, and public outreach. Her most recent project is the launch of state-wide Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs).

Anna serves on the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council’s Human Trafficking Task Force, the National Network of State Elder Justice Coalitions Steering Committee and is an instructor for the Georgia Victim Advocate Academy.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 232: Bringing Joy and Purpose to the Frontlines of Caregiving

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Revised on: 12/11/2024

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

How often do you look through the lens of the care partner or caregiver of your clients? This thought-provoking course will cover all topics of being a care partner to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Lisa Marshall, author of the NEW book Oh Hello Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Journey of Love, will share her experiences through an interview-style format. Lisa shares her story, including diagnosis, early denial, progression of the disease, how Lisa and her husband coped, and most of all how they continued to bring joy and purpose to their lives. As someone who lived through all the experiences, Lisa also shared practical tips that helped with the day-to-day care of her husband and herself. Lastly, Lisa shares where she is in life today and how this road has changed her. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Give examples of some practical strategies that could be used with clients
  • Describe the prevalence rates of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s
  • List signs and symptoms of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s

Presenters:

Lisa Marshall, Author of the NEW book Oh Hello Alzheimer’s: A Caregiver’s Journey of Love, personal blogger on Facebook with over 29,000 followers 

Lisa Marshall was the primary caregiver for her husband, Peter Marshall, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2018 at the age of 53.  Lisa retired in 2020 from a professional sales career to care for her husband who could no longer be alone.  Peter passed away on December 26th, 2021, just three years and eight months after diagnosis. He was 56. 

She is passionate about advocating for support for caregivers and raises her voice to create awareness of the disease.  For over four years she has chronicled her and Peter’s daily journey at www.facebook.com/ohhelloalzheimers offering an honest, realistic, and raw look at Alzheimer’s disease, to followers all over the world.  Her book, Oh Hello Alzheimer’s, a love story and caregiver guide, is available on Amazon.  This book offers tips and tricks for caregivers, covering taboo topics not often talked about. She is also a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Navigating Elder Care and Dementia. Her chapter depicts just one of the many sad nuances of Alzheimer’s.

Lisa and Peter’s journey has been covered on CNN, The Washington Post, Today.com, CBS Evening News, On the Road with Steve Hartman, People.com, and more. 

Continuing her passion, she holds virtual Alzheimer’s discussions with followers as well as private consultations, offering her insight, tips, and coping skills. Participants discuss their own unique stories and realize a sense of community together in a safe space. 

She works with companies that offer continuing education credits to medical professionals helping them to understand the disease.  Lisa shares tips she’s learned to help professional caregivers cope which ultimately helps their Alzheimer’s patients. 

Lisa works closely with the Alzheimer’s Association and led a team with Walk to End Alzheimer’s helping fund research to find a cure. Her team was the largest fundraising team in CT in 2021, raising more than $55,000.

When Lisa isn’t writing, she spends time with her family. She has three grown children, two stepchildren, and two grandsons who she babysits whenever she can. Additionally, she enjoys a very active life hiking, swimming in the neighborhood lake, going to the beach, visiting with friends, traveling, and gardening. Lisa practices meditation and vibrates positive energy and love to everyone she meets.  Her mantra is to find joy in life and live each day with no regrets. 

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems. 

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings. 

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 212: Ethics of Confidentiality and Diversity Considerations

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* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Ethics CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE Credits
Counselors- 5 Contact Hours or 5 Ethics Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Ethics Hours

Revised on 5/29/25

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

4. Counseling Services
5. Documentation
6. Case Management

Overview:

School social workers have many factors to consider in their work with students and families. Understanding ethics regarding confidentiality of minors in school settings is important for best practices and ethical decision making. Part one of the workshop will present participants with ethical considerations and responsibilities regarding minors in school settings. Case studies and the relevance of state law will be discussed. Participants will feel more confident assessing and managing ethics around confidentiality in minors. 

In part two, diversity considerations in school settings will be explored. Implicit bias, cultural competence, and specific dynamics of culture in schools will be presented. Participants have the opportunity to analyze cultural identities and their own cultural lenses as they work with diverse students and families. The goals of this session is for school social workers to increase their self-awareness, diversity sensitivity, and cultural competence practice.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of minor confidentiality considerations in three areas in school social work.
  • Apply methods of responding to ethical dilemmas through at least three case vignettes.
  • Differentiate methods of managing confidentiality with minors and other stakeholders.
  • Examine personal beliefs regarding culture, implicit bias, and cultural sensitivity through reflection questions.
  • Identify at least three ways that a school social worker can be more culturally competent.
  • Analyze through critical thinking ways of understanding and responding to cultural diversity situations in school settings.

Presenter:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, and owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

ODL 208: The Inequality in Healthcare: A Systems Theory Approach through a Social Work Lens

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Revised on 4/21/2025

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

Inequalities in healthcare is an issue that affects every single person. This course will provide a brief overview of those inequalities in the healthcare system. Inequalities in healthcare can be difficult to identify because of the number of components within the structure itself. Understanding the whole system will provide insights that will help healthcare professionals and social workers recognize and combat the inequalities that create barriers to quality care. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Apply systems theory to health care and a person’s overall health
  • Identify determinants of health for various demographics
  • Identify their role and responsibilities as social workers and public services workers to combat inequalities in healthcare

Presenters:

Kendra O’Berry, LCSW, is a graduate of Valdosta State University with her Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Social Work. She is an LCSW and has been working in the medical and mental health fields for most of her career. She is a wife, mother, and travel enthusiast. It is her hope to be able to educate not only her peers but as many in the community as possible of their rights, and how to live their best lives.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 206: DSM-5 Overview with Ethical Perspectives: A Workshop for Social Workers, Nurses, Case Managers, Counselors & Other Professionals

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Revised on 10/10/24

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

If you are not a professional with a private practice or in mental health (or perhaps you are in private practice or mental health and just want a “refresher”) – you may often find yourself in need of a DSM-5 “tune-up” – where we go back to the basics and review some of the major content areas and psychiatric disorders. This may be even more applicable if you are in the healthcare arena – where you are often faced with patients that may have mental health disorders that can exacerbate coping with their physical problems as well.  This workshop is meant for you!  We will be focusing on some of the major content areas of the DSM-5 – going over disorders, criteria and breaking this down.  In addition, we will be reviewing some ethical frameworks (social work, case management, nursing and counseling) as we begin our day of learning and as we go through some of the various disorders – we will have some interactive discussions around case scenarios and ethics.  This training will enhance your knowledge of the disorders, criteria, and chapters of the DSM-5 while providing ethical discussions at the same time.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Identify three different ethical standards around the DSM-5 relating to diagnosis
  • Restate at least five psychiatric disorders within the DSM-5 and three of their criteria
  • Identify at least four anxiety disorders
  • Identify three neurocognitive disorders 
  • Examine case examples and ethical discussion on the DSM-5 disorders and diagnosis 

Presenters:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, owner of Diane Bigler Therapy Services, Inc. 

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 3 Ethics and 2 Clinical CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Counselors
5 Contact Hours including 3 Ethics Hours*
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 200: Verbal and Emotional De-escalation

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – 1 CE Credit
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Revised on: 3/3/2025

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups:

4. Counseling Services
8. Legal, Ethical and Professional Development

Overview:

Helping professionals serve on the front lines in every practice setting, dedicating themselves to assisting others in the most challenging and uncertain circumstances.  It is essential that clinicians acquire the skills and techniques necessary to de-escalate tense situations.  This one-hour course will be jam-packed with an overview of verbal and emotional de-escalation, the five levels of behavior, and how to best respond to de-escalate any situation. Participants will leave with many tips and techniques to use so they can feel confident in those sticky situations.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Name the five levels of behavior.
  • List at least one way to respond in each behavior level.
  • Describe the importance of nonverbal communication.

Presenters:

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background in creating trauma-informed systems, social-emotional behavioral health, and the implementation of community and individual support systems.

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development training throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE training events.

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Iowa and is currently working on her Doctoral degree in Social Work. Jessica is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and a cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

ODL 207: “I’m Still Me” – A Unique Lens at Keeping Personhood Alive in Dementia through Personal Perspectives

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Revised on 4/3/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

More than 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment. With age being the greatest risk factor, this number is expected to dramatically increase as the Baby Boomer generation passes the age of 65. As helping professionals, we often see the clients who are the human beings behind these statistics and wish to continue to live their life with meaning, dignity, and purpose.  This eye-opening discussion will include the personal perspectives of a social worker and others living with some form of cognitive impairment. Anne McSweeney, LCSW and CEU Creations Educational Director, will lead participants through a discussion on personhood and how helping professionals can truly help their clients continue to live quality lives with purpose even through a dementia diagnosis.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • State several perspectives, resources, and ideas that were shared first-hand from persons with cognitive impairment. 
  • Identify ways to preserve personhood as a client/loved one is diagnosed with dementia.
  • Define the person-centered approach to care.

Presenters:

Lynn Ross, LMSW

Lynn Ross, LMSW, is a retired medical social worker that has found it hard to retire. From her experience as an Activity Director in a skilled nursing facility, to the director of an Alzheimer’s Day program, as a geriatric care coordinator with a local elder law attorney, and as a medical social worker for ten years, Lynn brings a wealth of knowledge to her part time work with Caring Companions of Atlanta, a home care agency.  In 2017, she retired from the Movement Disorders program in the Department of Neurology at Emory University, and since has volunteered with several organizations serving those living with dementia in Georgia.  Lynn serves on the Advisory Councils for Culture Change of Georgia, and Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan.  With GARD, she is a member of the Outreach & Partnership Workgroup.  Her other interests include arts/crafts, Mixed Media especially, and card making.  Lynn lives in Atlanta. 

Anne McSweeney, LCSW – Owner/Founder CEU Creations

Anne McSweeney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a unique and diverse background in medical social work, education and community relations. Anne is the owner and Educational Director of CEU Creations. For over 10 years, CEU Creations has been providing cutting-edge, educational trainings to clinicians throughout the United States through live and online CE trainings. One of the main missions of CEU Creations is to remove boredom from CE trainings and use innovative learning techniques to engage learners. Many of CEU Creations’ trainings have been also been featured at professional conferences – on a state and national level. Anne has been a Licensed Social Worker in GA since 1994. Prior to finding her niche providing educational trainings, Anne practiced medical social work for over 8
years – working primarily with the geriatric population in home health, hospice and dialysis. In 2015, Anne was appointed to the Fulton County Commission on Elderly Affairs. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Auburn and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She resides in Alpharetta, GA with her husband and 2 daughters.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 205: Spirituality, Cultural Humility, and Ethics for the Helping Professional

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Created on 5/16/24 Revised on 1/3/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

This five hour training will start with a discussion around utilizing spirituality in the clinical setting. Spirituality can be an integral component in people’s lives and a useful tool as we interact with our clients/patients. The training will provide a rationale for integrating a spiritual approach as we provide support for our clients and patients, along with the ethical role of the helping professional in working with diverse populations. Practical strategies for incorporating spiritual assessments and interventions into these clinical settings will be presented. The second half of the presentation will focus on cultural humility. As helping professionals, we know the importance of cultural competency in the practice environment. Cultural competency focuses on gaining knowledge and understanding of different cultures and practices. However, in order to provide a client-centered and ethical provision of care – a newer idea has emerged around the concept of cultural humility. In this thought-provoking discussion, we will take this practice one step further to acknowledge and reflect on our personal experiences, biases, and prejudices. Embarking on a journey of critical self-reflection, discovery, and humility.

Presenters:

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW

Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

Linda Ellis, MEd, MDiv, LPC

Linda Ellis, MEd, MDiv, LPC, has served as the Executive Director of the Health Initiative since January of 2002. The Health Initiative is committed to the health and wellbeing of Georgia’s LGBT community. Prior to joining The Health Initiative, Linda was the first Executive Director of YouthPride, Inc. Linda has Master degrees in both theology and family therapy. A licensed therapist, she is a skilled organizational leader with a proven ability to generate support in a variety of stakeholder communities. 

As the Executive Director of The Health Initiative, Linda has expanded both the reach and reputation of the organization, developing a strong network of healthcare providers committed to providing culturally sensitive care to lesbians and other members of the LGBT community. Increasingly, the work of the Health Initiative focuses on increasing access to supportive healthcare for those at the margins of the community, including LGBT seniors and those individuals who are under or uninsured. Linda has worked hard to expand The Health Initiative’s partnerships with mainstream providers and systems, and currently serves as co-chair of Fulton County’s Smoke Free Community Coalition and is a member of Piedmont Healthcare’s Bioethics Committee, Emory University’s Hope Clinic’s Community Advisory Board and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Family Advisory Council.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Define spirituality and self-care
  • Name two spiritual practices of self-care 
  • Create a reflective action plan to implement self-care into your daily practice
  • Define cultural humility
  • Summarize the difference between cultural competency and cultural humility
  • Restate the three main principles of cultural humility
  • Identify the ethical codes that apply to cultural humility in the practice environment

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR: 

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credit-3 Cultural Competency and 2 Ethics
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hour

Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours including 2 Ethics Hours*
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours

Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hour

Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hour

* Some states do not require/accept ethics hours for counselors, for those cases contact hours will be awarded.

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 202: Living with Cognitive Impairment – Personal Perspectives

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training offers ethics credits, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

1 CREDIT HOUR APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 1 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour
Psychologists
APA – This course is not approved for APA Contact hours.
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 1 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC – This course is not approved for NAADAC Contact hours.
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 1 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 1 Contact Hour

Revised on 09/15/2023

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

More than 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment. With age being the greatest risk factor, this number is expected to dramatically increase as the Baby Boomer generation passes the age of 65. As helping professionals, we often see the clients behind these statistics, who wish to continue to live their life with meaning, dignity, and purpose. In this one-hour discussion, we hear from two people living with cognitive impairment who are finding purposeful and joyful living. This eye-opening discussion moderated by Cindy Nelson, JD,  exemplifies what living with meaning, dignity and purposefulness looks like.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

  • Summarize the concept of purposefulness in relation to the aging process
  • Recognize the importance of connectedness, purposefulness, and joy in an individual’s development
  • Describe techniques for improving the quality of life of persons with cognitive disorders.

Presenters:

Arthena Caston was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 2016 at age 51. 

Arthena worked in customer support for a large insurance company when she began noticing lapses in her memory. As a natural “people person,” Arthena enjoyed her daily interactions with customers, but she soon forgot to return their calls unless she wrote herself detailed notes. 

At home, Arthena found favorite pursuits, including reading, cooking, and routine trips to Hobby Lobby were becoming more challenging. Even routine tasks such as putting on makeup before work became difficult. The most alarming moment, however, came the day she left her car running for an entire day in her employer’s parking lot, only realizing her mistake when she returned home later that night. 

Prompted by her worsening memory lapses, Arthena and her husband, Virous, shared their concerns with her primary care physician. She was referred to a neurologist for brain imaging and then referred to a neuropsychiatrist, who performed additional cognitive testing. Two days after first sharing her concerns with her doctor, Arthena had her diagnosis – MCI. Arthena remembers “feeling numb” when she finally received her diagnosis. She still recalls the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in her father – “a strong military man who became a shell of his former self.” 

Shortly after receiving her diagnosis, Arthena called the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline. She was connected with her local chapter, where she received an in-person care consultation as well as help in arranging a care consultation for her family independent of her. 

“It was important to me for my family to have a safe place to openly share their feelings,” Arthena says. “I want my family to understand what the future holds and to be open with their feelings as my symptoms and behaviors change.” 

Married for 29 years, Arthena confides that her husband initially struggled to come to terms with diagnosis, but has become her greatest supporter. “My husband is my rock and more proud of me than anyone I know,” she says. 

Today, Arthena has a renewed sense of purpose and passion for sharing what life is like living with dementia. Known in her neighborhood as the “Purple Dog Lady,” Arthena walks her dogs daily, typically donning purple Alzheimer’s Association t-shirts and sweaters. She even combined her love of designing items with her passion for advocacy, creating her own Alzheimer’s t-shirt to sell and raise funds for the fight against the disease. Arthena works closely with her local Alzheimer’s Association chapter, volunteering her time toward increasing concern awareness and fundraising.  

In 2020, Arthena was elected to the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors. She is one of two individuals living with dementia to serve on the 29-member, all-volunteer governing board. In her role, Arthena helps steer the strategic direction of the Association as it carries out its mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.

“I am honored to serve on the Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors and to have an opportunity to give all those living with dementia a voice,” Arthena said. “So many people think people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia have nothing to contribute, but I am living proof that we have done. I want to use my voice to help inform the Association’s programs and initiatives so they are responsive to the needs of individuals and families affected by this devastating disease.”

Prior to her appointment on the Board, Arthena served on the Association’s National Early Stage Advisory Group, which helps raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and other dementia by sharing members’ personal insights and experiences of living with dementia with media and other audiences across the country.

“It’s ok to be afraid. It’s alright to cry, scream, get mad, question the diagnosis and ask ‘why me?’” she says. “But after you have gone through the initial shock and pain, start thinking about what you can do to enjoy the time you have with family and friends. Do everything you have ever wanted to do and enjoy life.” 

Arthena and her husband, Virous, live in Macon, Georgia with their two dogs. They have two adult daughters serving in the U.S. Air Force, and two grandsons who they visit often.

Lynn Ross, LMSW, is a retired medical social worker that has found it hard to retire. From her experience as an Activity Director in a skilled nursing facility, to the director of an Alzheimer’s Day program, as a geriatric care coordinator with a local elder law attorney, and as a medical social worker for ten years, Lynn brings a wealth of knowledge to her part time work with Caring Companion of Atlanta, a home care agency.  In 2017, she retired from the Movement Disorders program in the Department of Neurology at Emory University and since has volunteered with several organizations serving those living with dementia in Georgia.  Lynn serves on the Advisory Councils for Culture Change of GA, and Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (GARD) State Plan.  With GARD, she is a member of the Outreach & Partnership Workgroup.  

Her other interests include arts/crafts, Mixed Media especially, and card making.  Lynn lives in Atlanta.   

Cindy Nelson, JD, is an Attorney and the Founder of Nelson Elder Care Law. She focuses her practice on representing seniors’ rights and interests.

She has been instrumental in strengthening Georgia legislation against elder abuse, securing additional funding for senior services, and the implementation of Georgia Alzheimer and Related Dementia plans.

Prior to founding Nelson Elder Care Law, she worked for Area Agencies on Aging, a non-profit elder care law clinic, an elder law legal firm, the Georgia Long-term Care Ombudsman, a Superior Court Judge, and Cobb County Probate Judge.

*private* ODL 200: Verbal and Emotional De-escalation

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Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

1 CE- Overview:

Helping professionals serve on the front lines in every practice setting, dedicating themselves to assisting others in the most challenging and uncertain circumstances.  It is essential that clinicians acquire the skills and techniques necessary to de-escalate tense situations.  This one-hour course will be jam-packed with an overview of verbal and emotional de-escalation, the five levels of behavior, and how to best respond to de-escalate any situation. Participants will leave with many tips and techniques to use so they can feel confident in those sticky situations.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  1. Name the five levels of behavior 
  2. List at least one way to respond in each behavior level
  3. Describe the importance of nonverbal communication

Continuing Education Credits Offered:

1 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR

Social Workers

ASWB ACE –  1  CE Credit; New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 1 Contact Hour

Case Managers

CCMC – 1  Contact Hour

Nurses

California Board of Registered Nursing –  1 Contact Hour

Counselors

NBCC ACEP; New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 1 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 204: Perspectives From the Front Lines: What Helping Professionals Can Learn from a Care Partner

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Revised on 3/7/25

Attention New Jersey Social Workers: 

This course is approved for all social workers, including New Jersey. The Board Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:44G-6.3, 6.4, and 6.7 Content Areas for Continuing Education Credit on April 15, 2024. This updates the Board’s regulation. This amendment states that  attendance at programs or courses offered by providers approved by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) are now acceptable sources of CE credit. 

At the June 12, 2024 public meeting, the Board voted to allow “any applications submitted, or audits which take place, on or after September 1, 2022” to be able “to submit CE from the sources updated in the new amendment adopted on April 15, 2024.”

For more information please refer to https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/sw/Pages/Additional-Information.aspx#CE

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Overview:

How often do you look through the lens of the care partner or caregiver of your clients? This thought-provoking course will cover all topics of being a care partner to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Lisa Marshall, author of “Oh Hello Alzheimer’s”  shares her experiences through an interview-style event. Lisa shares her story, including diagnosis, early denial, progression of the disease, how Lisa and her husband coped, and even some of the horrible experiences they had with the healthcare system. As someone who lived through all the experiences, Lisa also shared practical tips that helped with the day-to-day care of her husband and herself. Lastly, Lisa shares where she is at in life and how this road has changed her. 

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Give examples of some practical strategies that could be used with clients
  • Describe the prevalence rates of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s
  • List signs and symptoms of early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s

Presenters:

Lisa Marshall, Caregiver

Lisa Marshall, 55, was the primary caregiver for her husband Peter Marshall who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2018 at the age of 53.  Lisa retired in 2020 from a professional sales career to care for her husband who could no longer be alone.  Peter passed away on December 26th, 2021, just 3 years and 8 months after diagnosis. He was 56. 

Lisa has 5 grown children and one Grandson, along with her lovable dog, Mollie.  

She is passionate about advocating for support for caregivers and raises her voice to create awareness of the disease.  She chronicled her and Peter’s daily journey at www.facebook.com/ohhelloalzheimers offering an honest, realistic, and raw look at Alzheimer’s disease, to followers all over the world. 

Continuing her passion, she holds monthly virtual Alzheimer’s discussions to readers, offering her insight, tips, and coping skills. Participants discuss their own unique stories and realize a sense of community together.

Lisa works closely with the Alzheimer’s Association and leads a team with Walk to End Alzheimer’s helping fund research to find a cure. Her team was the largest fundraising team in CT in 2021, raising more than $55,000.

She is currently Co-chair of the caregiver arm of a coalition whose goal is to educate the public and health professionals on ways to support individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias as well as help meet the needs of families and caregivers. This 18-month mission is funded by a grant from the Center for Disease Control and The Department of Health.  Ultimately this effort will update the current CT State plan and change the support offered to families suffering from this catastrophic disease. 

Lisa and Peter’s journey has been covered on CNN, The Washington Post, Today.com, CBS Evening News, On the Road with Steve Hartman, People.com, and more. She is also a contributing author of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Navigating Elder Care and Dementia.

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW, and CEU Creations Educational Manager

Jessica Patterson, LMSW, DSW.  Jessica Patterson is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working in different systems. Jessica has a strong passion for teaching, training, and professional development. She also has a strong background around creating trauma informed systems, social emotional behavioral health and the implementation of community and individual support systems.

Jessica has created and facilitated many professional development trainings throughout her career. Jessica’s role at CEU Creations includes developing curriculum, working with licensure boards, and presenting at various CE trainings.

Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree in organizational management and sociology from Ashford University. She received her Master’s in Social Work from University of Iowa and received her Doctoral degree in Social Work from Capella University. Jessica is a licensed Social Worker through the state of Iowa. Jessica currently lives in Iowa with her husband, four children, two dogs, and cat. Any spare moment that Jessica has is usually spent running or reading.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credit
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hour
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hour
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hour
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hour
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hour

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

ODL 201: Evidence-Based Mental Health Therapy Modalities: An Overview of CBT, DBT and MBT

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Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be allowed. If this training offers ethics credits, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:
Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Substance Abuse Counselors
NAADAC –  5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Revised on 5/9/25

ODL 201 will be decommissioned on May 21, 2025. Please complete before this date.

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses, and case managers.

Counseling Skill Group:

  1. Clinical Intake and Screening
  2. Clinical Assessment
  3. Treatment Plan.
  4. Counseling Services

Overview:

Clinicians require a vast array of therapeutic tools, approaches, and skills to provide evidence-based treatment to the patients and clients. In this full-day training, join expert clinicians for this introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT). Diane Bigler, LCSW, LSCSW, will start the session with a brief overview and the major components of CBT and DBT. She will discuss the six Levels of Validation in DBT, evidence-based skills to incorporate into your professional practice, and case scenario examples to help provide context and additional clinical practice considerations. In addition, she will showcase skills that can be used in different clinical settings. Griffin Smith, LCSW, will provide the history and origin of MBT, a better understanding of the core concepts of MBT, and how mentalizing can be useful in your professional practice and personal life. Attendees will gain evidence-based practice information and skills to incorporate into their everyday practice.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session – the participant will be able to:

  • Explain Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its application in clinical practice
  • Recall and distinguish between the six Levels of Validation in DBT
  • Describe good versus poor mentalizing and its respective impact on interpersonal relations and role in personality functioning
  • Summarize the core concepts of MBT and articulate the theoretical rationale underpinning them
  • Identify ways in which a focus on mentalizing can be useful in your life and work

Presenters:

Diane Bigler, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, ACSW

Diane Bigler, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, ACSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas. She has over 20 years of experience in the social services field. Diane has held positions as a therapist (in-home and outpatient), private practice owner, trainer/facilitator, clinical supervisor, and Professor of Social Work. She also has experience in corporate wellness training and coaching. Diane is most passionate about providing quality educational training to professionals. She enjoys spoiling her four Dachshunds and anything 80’s related.

Griffin Smith, LCSW

As a psychotherapist, consultant, and coach, Griffin founded Totus Intuor Counseling & Consulting with the aim of helping individuals and organizations discover greater connection to their world, bridging the gaps between what we experience internally to what we experience externally in our environment. He believes that the most profound and transformative experiences in life are driven by our ability to make these connections. As a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), he specializes in the treatment of interpersonal dysfunction and relational difficulties for adults and adolescents.

Commonly, Griffin treats individuals with a history of personality disorder, complex trauma, and adolescent behavioral disorders. He earned a Master of Social Work degree (MSW) at Kennesaw State University in 2016 and a Bachelor of Science in psychology and music minor from Georgia State University in 2013. He trained in psychoanalytic theory and practice at Emory University Psychoanalytic Institute from 2018-2020, certifying in psychoanalytic theory. Griffin receives ongoing training and supervision in mentalization-based treatment (MBT) through the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute at McLean Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School and the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.

Born in the Midwest and raised in the South (Atlanta, GA), Griffin feels most centered spending time with his wife and family, out in nature, and inside his own head, creating new ideas. Recently, he has been occupying much of his time learning and practicing the art of bonsai, while continuing a lifelong love of writing and playing music.

ODL 228: The State of Caregiving in America: Unpredictable Times and Charting a New Way Forward 

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This course will be decommissioned on 11/15/2023
Please ensure you have completed the course by that date.

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, case managers, nurses, and counselors.

Overview:

Caregivers are revered for the love, attention, and support they provide to the individuals in their care.  Caregiving is a stressful, relentless, unpredictable, and often unpaid role.  With a global pandemic that has uprooted all societal systems from health and behavior supports, schools and childcare, to our community and familial support systems, caregivers have experienced unprecedented and challenging times.  In this powerful presentation, Author Kate Washington will offer an honest assessment of the caregiving experience in America.  Joined later by Jenny Buckley, RN, BSN, CHPN, for a panel discussion on the diverse experiences of caregivers, the group will share resources, tools, and tips to avoid burnout, and guidance on finding additional support.

Course Objectives:

  • Summarize the challenges that caregivers encounter in navigating structural systems
  • List available resources and support to avoid caregiver burnout
  • Name two resources to share with clients and caregiving professionals

Presenters:

Kate Washington

Kate Washington is a writer in Northern California whose first book, Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America has been called “an eye-opening account from a full-time caregiver…a timely and crucial appeal.” The story of Washington’s struggle to care for her seriously ill husband, Already Toast offers a revealing look at the role unpaid family caregivers play in a society that fails to provide them with structural support. Already Toast shows how all-consuming caregiving can be, how difficult it is to find support, and how the social and literary narratives that have long locked women into providing emotional labor also keep them in unpaid caregiving roles. Kate’s book, Already Toast: Caregiving and Burnout in America, is currently available on Amazon.

Jenny Buckley

Jenny Buckley is a hospice and palliative care nurse with over twenty years of experience caring for individuals with serious advanced illness and their families. Driven by her passion for helping patients navigate their illness experience while keeping their quality of life in mind, Jenny takes pride in providing the best complete care planning and decision assistance for those she serves. As founder of Jenny Buckley Care Matters, which she started in 2020, her goals include using her extensive personal and professional experience to provide guidance and resources during a family’s serious illness experience. In addition to providing support and presence for those in her care, Jenny is also a cancer survivor, blogger on her site HOPEspot and a national speaker on topics surrounding hospice and palliative care. Jenny lives in Roswell, Georgia with her husband, Kevin, and her two sons.  You can best keep up with Jenny’s activities on her website, www.jennybuckleycarematters.com.

2 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 2 CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 2 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 2 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 2 Contact Hours
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 2 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 2 Contact Hours

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

CarePatrol PPP Portal 2022 – 2023

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Overview:

Welcome 2022-2023 Care Patrol Preferred Partnership Program Participants! This exclusive private portal is where you can find all the resources and documents you need to successfully use your PPP membership to grow your referral sources. You can download any of the PowerPoint or PDF documents by clicking on the “Materials” tab within each category, selecting the desired file, and downloading it to your computer.

Filed Under: PPP