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Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7431. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Searight PACE is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Friday, October 24
Instructor: Samantha NewtonLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Friday, February 6th
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer HallLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60Objectives:
Description: This interactive presentation is intended for counselors who have little to no experience with and knowledge of CCPT. Attendees will be able to learn more about the rationale, research, and theory of play therapy. The presentation will consist of didactic and experiential components (participants will need to have a small collection of playful items available). The basic skills of CCPT will be demonstrated and attendees will be given the opportunity to practice the skills themselves. Application of skills to current clinical work will be discussed. A review of documentation of client progress will be introduced.
Friday, January 9 & 16, 2026 (two parts)Description: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a highly effective, evidence based treatment for mental health and substance use concerns in a variety of treatment settings. This two part series will provide an overview of the theoretical components of DBT for mental health providers, as well as provide a review of the four primary skill categories. Participants of this presentation will also learn ways to utilize DBT skills with the clients they serve.
Educational Goal: The educational goal of this presentation is to provide an overview of the theoretical and skill components of DBT, as well as learn how to implement DBT in group and individual settings.
Objectives:
Part 1: Friday, January 9, 2026Topics: Theoretical components of DBT, core mindfulness skills, and emotion regulation skills
Instructor: Dr. Staci TessmerLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Part 2: Friday, January 16, 2026Topics: Distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness skills
Friday, January 30, 2026Instructor: Dr. Simone McIntyreLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Friday, February 20, 2026
Instructor: Deborah ArmstrongLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Description: This workshop will provide participants with an introduction to Intergenerational Family Theory, recent research on polygenetic neural influences, and how to infuse psychotherapy with individuals, couples, and families with this lens. Ivan Nagy’s Contextual Family Theory will be highlighted. This is an approach that is simultaneously simple and complex, and where almost any intervention from any theory can be applied accompanied by a contextual lens. Quite frankly it is a theory that aligns with brain-wise practices in great measure, and where whatever your theoretical leanings bend, therapists may find of value. Participants are encouraged to read Balance in Motion: Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy and his vision of Individual and Family Therapy (Van Neusden & Van Den Eerenbeemt).
Friday, March 6, 2026In this PACE class, mental health professionals will gain an understanding of substance use disorders with a focus on the addiction process and treatment modalities. The objectives are as follows.
Instructor: Dr. Simone McIntyreLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Friday, April 10, 2026Objectives:
Friday, May 22, 2026Objectives:
Instructor: Terance DawkinsLocation: TeamsTime: 1PM-4PM (3 CE hours)Cost: $60
Dr. Deborah Armstrong has been studying & practicing working from a CFT lens for over 20 years, training principally with Dottie Higgins Klein who studied with & was supervised by Ivan Nagy.
Terance Dawkins is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice (LISW-CP) from Spartanburg, South Carolina. He holds dual licenses as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in South Carolina and North Carolina and operates his own private practice, Missing Pieces Counseling Services. He also works at the Counseling Center at Furman University. Mr. Dawkins holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Winthrop University.
Dr. Jennifer Geddes Hall is an associate clinical professor of Counseling at Clemson University. She is a former special education teacher and school counselor and is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). She has over 20 years of experience as a child/teen therapist in diverse school and clinical settings and currently sees a small caseload of children under 8 years old for Child Centered Play Therapy. Dr. Hall has presented at local, state, and national levels on various counseling related topics such as play therapy, trauma, domestic violence, clinical supervision, and supporting students in schools. She has published articles on these topics as well and is also currently the South Carolina Association for Play Therapy president.
Dr. Simone McIntyre is a dually-licensed mental health and addictions therapist in North and South Carolina. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education. She has worked in the field in various capacities since 2002 and strives to improve lives and strengthen communities through education and empowerment. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn. McIntyre is a wife and mother of four. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and her favorite quote is by Audrey Hepburn, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible”.
Samantha Newton LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker living in Charlotte, N.C. She owns The Therapy Suite PLLC, a private pay virtual therapy practice. She loves working with high achieving clients who are experiencing anxiety and self esteem issues. Samantha also has extensive experience working with the military since 2015.Samantha has a passion for working with new clinicians and supports them through her YouTube Channel “The Keys to Therapy” and her Facebook Group “Support for New Clinicians: Connect and Thrive”. She believes in paying it forward and helping all clinicians succeed in building their dream careers, while achieving the work/life balance they’ve always wanted. Samantha also offers business consulting through her second business venture, The Keys to Business, for therapists looking to grow and/or streamline their practices and offers. She also completed a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship through Cornell University and enjoys strategizing with other business owners. In addition, Samantha is a co-founder of the Carolina Wellness Entrepreneur Collective, which offers resources, networking, and training to wellness providers across the U.S.In her free time, Samantha is an avid tv watcher and loves a good binge watch. She likes spending time with her two rescue dogs and husband, going to brunch with friends, and trying out new bakeries.
Dr. Staci Tessmer, Ph.D., LPCC-S, NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, is an independently licensed counselor with a supervisory designation (OH) and maintains her NCC, BC-TMH, and ACS credentials. She is also Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) trained. Staci holds a B.A. in Biomedical Humanities, a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her dissertation research focused on counseling site supervisors’ experiences of and preparation to conduct the individual supervision of group work.
She has been practicing in the counseling field for over a decade and has held a variety of clinical, supervisory, and administrative roles at both the inpatient and outpatient levels of care, working with children, adolescents, and adult populations. Staci is adjunct faculty for two CACREP-accredited counseling programs and has taught a variety of courses, such as diagnosis, case conceptualization, practicum, and internship.
Additionally, Staci has held many leadership roles within state and national counseling organizations. She has presented at numerous local, state, national, and international counseling conferences on a variety of clinical, supervision, and counselor education topics. Lastly, Staci has been published in peer reviewed journals discussing topics such as the supervision of group work and working with injured student athletes.
