All Webinars

In this program, I will review the conceptualization of comorbidity, including its etiology. I will discuss why co morbidity occurs and how it impacts the course of treat ment. I will provide examples from the scientific literature on frequently comorbid conditions. I will then discuss the evaluation of patients with comorbid substance use disor ders and mental health disorders. This section will focus on considering a host of clinical data to inform treat ment planning for individuals with comorbid conditions. I will then spend time discussing the elements of success ful treatments for comorbid conditions. The premise of the session is that comorbid conditions should be treated concurrently for treatment to be successful. I will discuss examples of specific comorbidities (e.g., PTSD + substance use disorder) and review scientific developments to address these comorbid disorders. I will conduct this seminar by combining lecturing, question & answer periods, and polling tools to engage the audience.

At the heart of existential and person-centered therapy lies the profound quest for meaning and fulfillment. Addressing life’s existential questions, such as “What is the meaning of life?” or “How can we cultivate healthier, more meaningful relationships?”, these therapeutic approaches offer powerful frameworks for helping clients navigate both existential and neurotic anxieties. Rooted in philosophy, phenomenology, and the pioneering work of Carl Rogers, existential and person-centered therapies emphasize the importance of choice, authenticity, and personal agency in fostering psychological well-being.
 

This seminar will provide an in-depth exploration of humanistic theory, focusing on the existential foundations of meaning-making and the core principles of person-centered therapy. Through didactic presentation and experiential exercises, participants will learn how to integrate mindfulness, present-centered awareness, and body awareness into clinical practice. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these therapeutic approaches can be effectively applied to address a variety of client concerns, including those related to social justice, ultimately enhancing therapeutic outcomes and client engagement.

For those who are grieving to loss of a loved one, the holidays can be an especially difficult and overwhelming time. Holidays are often associated with memories, traditions, and a sense of connection to others, all of which are impacted by the painful awareness that their loved one is absent. Surrounded by messages that we should give thanks, participate in joyful celebrations, spend time with others, and share memories, the bereaved are faced with painfully complicated, sometimes conflicting, emotions that have to be navigated during this time. During this presentation, we will explore how clients can manage the painful and mixed feelings that accompany grief, maintain physical health, and explore how new and old traditions and rituals can support clients during this tough time. Just as there is no right or wrong way to grieve, how one chooses to manage difficult emotions, social events, and relationships during the holiday season will be as unique as one’s own experience of loss. This presentations aims to help clients reduce their suffering, remember loved ones, and even reconnect with the real reason for the season.

There are several types of digital platforms and devices that can optimize treatment and are easily added to our clinical toolbox. Many of these devices can be used as clinician extenders by expanding therapeutic reach and augmenting treatment outside the office. While some of these technologies have been available for decades, they are now easier to use and are also cost effective. The trend in health care is increasingly digitally based and data driven, being fed by advances in digital platforms and innovative devices. Video technology and internet capacity have reached the point where they are reliable and advanced enough to make tele-mental health quite accessible to utilize. While there are still many people who have only tenuous links with the digital world, even those in rural and underserved populations may have access to care not previously available using new tools. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health clinicians by necessity have begun using telehealth platforms to continue to provide much needed services. The use of teletherapy affords clinicians opportunities to effectively broaden their scope of practice and deliver high quality treatment while doing so. The provision of telehealth has both pros and cons that need to be considered when using this technology. Smartphone applications (Apps) that can track mood, anxiety, and sleep (and provide feedback to clinicians) are rapidly developing and are widely available. Devices that can directly address brain and emotional states such as Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback (HRV), Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), and Neurofeedback (NFB) can be incorporated into one’s practice at a reasonable cost. Many of these devices can be used by patients between sessions to retrain their “brain states” by monitoring physiological arousal and increasing vagal tone to maximize treatment effect. This seminar provides you with an overview and introduction to technology-based aids to mental health practice. 

Forensic Psychological Assessment: Diagnosis, Ethics, Measurement, and the Clinical Road Map is a comprehensive professional devel opment session designed for clinicians, forensic practitioners, and mental health professionals who operate at the intersection of psychology and the legal system. Led by Dr. Ronald J. Esteve, this presentation delivers a rigorous, evidence-based framework spanning nineteen critical modules—from the foundational role of the forensic practitioner and diagnostic decision-making using DSM-5 and ICD-10, to the psychometric pillars of validity, reliability, and standardized measurement. Attendees will explore the full clinical workflow, in cluding differential diagnosis, severity and remission tracking, symp tom analysis, and clinical formulation, while also navigating the com plex ethical terrain of confidentiality, mandatory reporting, digital record security, and the duty to protect.

With a growing awareness of trauma and trauma-informed care, there’s an increased focus on trauma-informed parenting. It’s im portant to consider trauma-informed care as parents may have unaddressed trauma and youth may have experienced trauma. Without a trauma-informed perspective, parents may lack empathy and support and may respond in more punitive manners. When parents un derstand trauma-informed care, they have opportunities to heal their unaddressed trau ma and are able to effectively support youth on their healing journey. In this training, we’ll discuss trauma-informed care principles and how we can apply them to parenting to improve the health and wellness of the fam ily.