Mental Health Counseling Continuing Education Series

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, July 12 2024

This presentation will explore the experiences of licensed professional counselors (LPCs) who receive mental health referrals from African American pastors. Along with personal experiences, scholarly literature regarding past disagreements of theology and psychology and the barriers African Americans face seeking mental health treatment will inform this presentation. The discussion will include information regarding the process of obtaining referrals from African American pastors. The presenter will also explore how to effectively work within this culture. Objectives of barriers, advocacy efforts, and specialized resources will also be explored. Multicultural implications for interventions/response will be examined.

• Learning Objective 1: Gain an increased understanding of the unique needs of the Black community and how to effectively provide mental health care to this population.
• Learning Objective 2: Explore the impact the Black church has on resiliency and mental health stigma.
• Learning Objective 3:  Discuss strategies for licensed mental health providers who receive referrals from the Black church and explore implications for counselor education/training to increase resiliency within both populations.

PACE 202 Mental Health Response Training for National Disasters

Friday, February 9, 2024

Participants will obtain training for delivery of services to disaster-affected clients; learn about the concepts of operations doctrine; and key concepts, knowledge and skills required for disaster mental health response. Participants will have the opportunity to apply learning to real-world examples that reflect challenges experienced by disaster mental health responders and collaboration with multiple delivery service areas on large disaster relief operations. The instructor will also include a discussion for providing inclusive and integrative services to support diverse individuals, including those with access and functional needs.  

• Learning Objective 1: Recognize how people and communities are affected by disasters and the needs.  
• Learning Objective 2: Explain the Disaster Cycle, Services, and Operations. 
• Learning Objective 3: Distinguish how the Red Cross works with its partners before, during, and after disasters.  
• Learning Objective 4: Describe the supporting principles, processes, and framework for the Concept of Operations.  
• Learning Objective 5: Describe the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health mission, values, ethics, cultural competencies, assumptions and eligibility criteria.  
• Learning Objective 6: Explain the legal and ethical implications of disaster mental health work.  
• Learning Objective 7: Explain how the stress of experiencing disaster impacts survivors (both adults and children) and responders.  
• Learning Objective 8: Describe and apply the three elements of Red Cross Disaster Mental Health intervention and identify which mental health interventions are not Red Cross-approved.  
• Learning Objective 9: Describe and apply how staff mental health is provided to Red Cross employees and volunteers. 
• Learning Objective 10: Employ support for clients with disabilities and others with access and functional needs, including support for people with service animals.  

PACE 203 Seeing the Military in Our Multicultural Lens

Friday, September 13, 2024

The goal of this session is to show the importance of including the military in our cultural competency considerations by highlighting the uniqueness of the culture.  Topics covered will include understanding the military structure, the impact of the military culture on each family member and the service member, and theoretical approaches and interventions that have been found effective, through research, in working with military families.

 It is of particular importance that clinicians are ready to serve our military as we have seen Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom now span over decades, thereby impacting generations of those involved in the military and their families.

• Learning Objective 1: Recognize how the military culture is unique.
• Learning Objective 2: Gain an understanding of the military structure and culture.
• Learning Objective 3: Recognize how the family members are each impacted by the military culture in different ways.
• Learning Objective 4: Become familiar with commons disorders found among military members.
• Learning Objective 5: Gain an understanding of theoretical approaches and interventions that research has shown to be effective in working with the military culture.

PACE 204 Avoiding Pain or Seeking Pleasure: Treating Substance Use Disorders

Friday, April 19, 2024

This workshop will provide counselors with knowledge on drugs, drug addiction and its consequences, drug treatment modalities, drug addiction counseling skills and techniques, and relapse prevention therapy to enhance the effectiveness of their work with individuals who are in active addiction or those in recovery.

PACE 205 Unveiling the Invisible Wounds: Addressing Trauma and Mental Health in Marginalized Communities

Friday, May 17, 2024

Workshop description: This event is designed to provide mental health professionals with valuable insights into the prevalence of trauma within various marginalized groups, including African Americans, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those who have been formerly incarcerated.

Through presentations, interactive discussions, and case studies, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by these communities in accessing mental health support. The impact of trauma on mental health outcomes within marginalized populations will be explored, along with strategies for promoting resilience and healing through culturally sensitive approaches to trauma-informed care.

This presentation also aims to highlight successful initiatives and programs that have effectively addressed mental health disparities among marginalized groups. By fostering collaboration between community organizations, healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, we can work towards developing comprehensive solutions for improving mental health outcomes in marginalized communities.

• Learning Objective 1: Raise awareness about the prevalence of trauma within marginalized groups (Various Populations will be mentioned) 
• Learning Objective 2. Explore these communities’ unique challenges in accessing mental health support and resources.
• Learning Objective 3. Examine the impact of trauma on mental health outcomes within marginalized populations, including its potential long-term effects.
• Learning Objective 4. Discuss strategies for promoting resilience and healing within these communities through culturally sensitive approaches to trauma-informed care.
• Learning Objective 5. Highlight successful initiatives and programs that have effectively addressed mental health disparities among marginalized groups.
• Learning Objective 6. Encourage collaboration between community organizations, healthcare providers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive solutions for improving mental health outcomes in marginalized communities.
• Learning Objective 7. Empower participants with knowledge and tools to advocate for equitable access to mental health services for all individuals regardless of their background or circumstances.

PACE 206 Nuts and Bolts of Clinical Supervision

Friday, June 21, 2024

This session will focus on essential topics in clinical supervision for new and practicing supervisors in an overview format to enhance their effectiveness as a clinical supervisor. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the relationship in supervision and the role of multicultural issues in supervision.

• Learning Objective 1: Gain an understanding of the ethical and legal issues involved in clinical supervision.
• Learning Objective 2: Review and discuss various models of supervision.
• Learning Objective 3:  Become familiar with various methods and techniques for clinical supervision.

PACE 207 Intergenerational Trauma: The Burdens We Are Not Meant to Carry

Friday, October 4, 2024

Slavery, Racial Trauma, Discrimination, Oppression, and Segregation; these are but a few of the profound and enduring traumas that have afflicted African Americans for generations. These harrowing experiences have given rise to beliefs and teachings that continue to reverberate through the ages, leaving a lasting impact on present-day generations. While these teachings may have once been crucial for survival, they have now transformed into detrimental forces that continue to affect us. The beliefs and teachings handed down from our ancestors profoundly influence how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world at large. They manifest in our daily interactions and can sometimes lead to harmful behaviors that perpetuate cycles of trauma. The weight of the burdens we carry, stemming from generations of trauma, hinders our progress and well-being, even when these burdens are not rightfully ours to bear. Breaking free from these intergenerational cycles necessitates shedding the burdens of the past. We must liberate ourselves from the negative legacies left by historical trauma and find ways to heal from the wounds of our collective past. By acknowledging the impact of these traumas and actively working to dismantle their harmful effects, we pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future. By learning from the past and forging a new path, we empower ourselves and future generations to thrive, unburdened by the weight of ancestral trauma.

Topics:

• Understand Intergenerational Trauma: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of what Intergenerational Trauma entails, its definition, and how it is passed down through generations.
• Explore the Influence of Attachment Styles: Participants will examine how various attachment styles impact the transmission and perpetuation of Intergenerational Trauma within families.
• Trace the Origins of Intergenerational Trauma: Participants will learn about the historical and cultural roots of Intergenerational Trauma and how these experiences shape beliefs, teachings, and family dynamics.
• Analyze the Impact on Interpersonal Interaction & Mental Health: Participants will discuss the profound effects of Intergenerational Trauma on individuals’ mental health and their ability to engage in healthy interpersonal relationships.
• Develop Strategies for Breaking Generational Cycles: Participants will explore effective strategies and skills to break generational curses and alleviate the burdens of Intergenerational Trauma within families and communities.
• Appreciate Cultural Perspectives on Intergenerational Trauma: Participants will gain insights into the unique experiences of White and Black communities concerning Intergenerational Trauma, allowing for a deeper appreciation of cultural differences and their impact on healing processes.
• By the end of this presentation, attendees will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of Intergenerational Trauma, the factors influencing its perpetuation, and the strategies to break free from its impact, fostering a more empathetic and informed approach to addressing this critical issue.

Instructor Bios

Dr. Anthony Andrews is co-owner of Andrews Counseling and Consulting, PLLC.  Dr. Andrews also works as a professor of Rehabilitation Counseling in a CACREP-accredited Counselor Education Program.  Dr. Anthony Andrews’ research interests include rehabilitation education related to the mass incarceration and recidivism of African-American Males.  He also has research interests in trauma-informed care, mentorship, and disability.  His educational background includes degrees in Sociology, Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Ph.D. in  Rehabilitation Counseling and Counselor Education.  Dr. Andrews has over ten years of experience as a clinical rehabilitation counselor.   He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist- Supervisor,  Board Certified Tele-Mental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor- Supervisor (LCMHC-S) in North & South Carolina, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia.

Terrance 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. Lorell Gordon is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychological Sciences and Counselor Education at Gardner-Webb University. Dr. Gordon’s background includes working with various agencies to include group and solo practice, behavioral health facilities, and military settings; she is also a veteran of the Naval Reserves. Dr. Gordon holds several credentials in South Carolina such as Licensed Professional Counselor/Supervisor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist/Supervisor, and Licensed Addictions Counselor. She currently teaches in the Clinical Mental Health Counselor graduate program. Dr. Gordon earned a Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in Counselor Education, an Ed.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Converse College, and a M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Winthrop University. 

Dr. Simone McIntyre (PhD, NCC, LCAS, LCMHC, LAC, LPC, CCM, MAC) is a dually licensed mental health and addictions therapist in North and South Carolina.  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 where her dissertation focused on the collaboration experiences between professional counselors and African American pastors. Dr. McIntyre is a wife and mother of four. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and her favorite quote is by Audrey Hepburn, “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible”.

Dr. Sharon Webb is Professor and Program Coordinator for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Programs in the Department of Counselor Education at Gardner-Webb University. She has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, with a Specialization in Trauma and Crisis. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, a National Board-Certified Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  Dr. Webb has been a volunteer with the American Red Cross for over 25 years, to include serving as a National Disaster Mental Health Manager, Disaster Mental Health Trainer, and Service to the Armed Forces Resiliency Lead and facilitator for NC and 4 SC counties.