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 Effective Self-Care: Ethical Practices for Ensuring Professional Longevity and Avoiding Burnout

Friday, September 27, 2019

Richmont Graduate University

1900 The Exchange, Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

8:30am – 4:00pm

Presented by

Sonja A. Sutherland, Ph.D. LPC, NCC, CPCS, DCC

Dr. Sutherland is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Dean of Assessment, Planning & Accreditation at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an NBCC Approved Counselor Supervisor (ACS). In the field of counseling since 1998, and licensed since 2001, Dr. Sutherland has provided therapeutic services in the private practice, psychiatric residential, in-home, and outpatient mental health settings, for adolescents and adults, through individual, group, couples, and family therapy. Dr. Sutherland’s areas of research interest include counselor supervision & cultural competence development, and evidence-based treatment & residential models of care for at-risk adolescents.

Course Description:

Compassion fatigue refers to stress that is a byproduct of providing care for those who are traumatized or under significant emotional duress. Because as clinicians we are trained to utilize compassion and empathy in order for our work with clients and supervisees to be effective, we are particularly vulnerable to emotional stress and compassion fatigue. Related to this, for those of us in the helping professions, compassion fatigue can have ethical and legal implications if unaddressed, especially if we are providing therapeutic services that are ineffective for those under our clinical care and supervision. Most clinicians learn very quickly however, that impairment, and in extreme cases burnout, can sneak up on us before we even realize. During this workshop, participants will be encouraged to engage in an honest assessment of both their current areas of impairment as well as their current self-care status. Participants will enjoy engaging in interactive self-care activities that can lay a foundation for the building of motivation and a commitment to wellness. The ACA, APA, MFT and NASW Codes of Ethics related to professional impairment will be reviewed, along with practical examples of how unrecognized impairment can impede clinical and supervisory effectiveness. Finally, clinicians will begin the creation of a personalized self-care plan, and demonstrate how to facilitate one for others.

Course Objectives: As a result of attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify factors in practitioner vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout
2. Review impact of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burnout on professional impairment
3. Review Codes of Ethics related to practitioner professional impairment
4. Assess practitioner levels of compassion fatigue
5. Assess factors in wellness preparation and self-care
6. Develop a personal stress management program

Target audience: Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Social Workers, Graduate Students

Instruction Level: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Basic Schedule:

Continuing Education: 6

Fees:

• $130: Richmont Alumni
• $90: Richmont Students
• $140: Guests

Registration: Click Here

For questions, please contact Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu
Refunds: In order to receive a full refund, requests must be made prior to  September 20.

There is no known commercial support for this workshop.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identifited. RGU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Justice Begins at Home: A Bowenian Perspective

Friday, November 8, 2019

3:30pm Registration  / 4:30pm CE Presentation Begins / 6:30pm Food, Fellowship & Networking / 7:30-9pm CE Presentation Concludes

Presented by:

Dr. Michael Cook

Michael Lee Cook is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and clinical supervisor at Micah Counseling Services in Atlanta, Georgia. In practice, he counsels and consults with individuals, couples, families, groups, and organizations for a range of psychological, emotional, and interpersonal problems and concerns. Specifically, his clinical practice, research, and writing focuses on the implications of cultural, economic, and social issues on family and institutional life. Dr. Cook is a systems thinker who services as an adjunct professor and clinical supervisor at Richmont Gradate University and served on the faculties of Emory University Candler School of Theology and Columbia Theological Seminary. He also serves as the Vice-President of the Georgia Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (GAMFT); is a U.S. Army combat veteran and the author of Black Fatherhood, Adoption, and Theology (2015). He holds degrees in business, theology, and counseling.

Summary                    

The concept of social justice has deep and broad implications for therapists, clients, and the counseling process. Much of what we learn and understand about social justice comes from our families of origin and influence our counseling practice(s). In this interactive workshop, we will use Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) as a guide to discuss social justice and its implications for counseling; explore how family of origin dynamics influence our counseling practice; and discuss practical tools for handling social justice issues in clinical practice. This workshop is guided by the assumption that any influence on social justice must be experienced in our own families and circles of influence before we can ever hope to see it in the world around us and in our work as counselors and people of faith.   

Learning Objectives

As a result of this workshop participants will be able to:

• Explain the concept of social justice and its implications for systemic counseling;
• Utilize Bowen Theory to consider the implications of family of origin factors to social justice issues in the therapeutic relationship; and
• Discuss practical tools for handling social justice issues in clinical practice.

Continuing Education:

Targeted Audience:

• Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Graduate Students, Pastors

Instructional Level:

• Intermediate

Cost: 

• Current Legacy or Founding Alumni Association Members,  FT Faculty & Staff: FREE
• Current Basic Alumni Association Members: $35
• Richmont Students: $15
• Richmont Alumni (no Alumni Association membership): $60
• Guests: $75 (includes dinner)

Registration: Click HERE

Refunds: In order to receive a full refund, please contact Martha Busby prior to November 1, 2019, otherwise there will be a late cancellation fee.

For questions, please contact Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu.

There is no known commercial support for this program.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Richmont is opening a portion of this course to Richmont alumni and the surrounding community for Continuing Education Credit. Please note that this is only a portion of an entire course offered for a reduced fee. If you are interested in auditing or taking the entire course for course credit, please contact our registrar. This event is not sponsored by the alumni association and does not fall under the benefits of founding membership status.

When: Saturday, September 8, 2018, 8:30-5:00PM

Where: Richmont Graduate University / Atlanta Campus / 1900 The Exchange SE, Bldg. 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

Continuing Education: 7 CE Clock Hours Awarded. No partial credit awarded.

Fees: Regular Rate (Alumni/Community): $160

Reduced Rate (Alumni/Community): $150 when you register through Richmont’s NEW App! Search for “Richmont” on both Android and Apple app stores.

Presented by

Lee A. Underwood, Psy.D. currently serves as Professor in the Counseling Department at Regent University, School of Psychology and Counseling. He is the former Director of the Center for Addiction and Offender Research at Regent University. Dr. Underwood provides program evaluation, training consultation activities, substance abuse, psychological and psychosexual evaluations for private entities, human services and juvenile justice throughout the country. Dr. Underwood has served as an Executive Clinical Officer for several large residential treatment, juvenile justice and criminal justice programs for adolescents and adults with mental, substance use, trauma, and disruptive behavioral and sexual disorders.  Dr. Underwood is a nationally recognized Licensed Clinical Psychologist in several states and Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CSOTP). Dr. Underwood has been recognized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) as one of the leading program innovators for community based treatment programs. Dr. Underwood has held a number of policy-oriented research, academic, clinical and consulting positions over his career with federal, state and private agencies for research, program design, development, implementation and evaluation of services. Dr. Underwood has over 18 years of university teaching in psychology and counselor preparation programs. He has authored over 75 refereed journal articles, 17 treatment manuals, books and technical reports on mental health, substance use, trauma needs of females, sex offending, forensic, spiritual and cultural needs of adolescents. His most recent books include Counseling Adolescents Competently (Sage Publishing) and Adolescents in Conflict (Taylor Made Publishing). His work was featured as the most downloaded articles published in Routledge Behavioral Sciences journals in 2014.

Topic

This training provides participants with an advanced understanding of the role of providers in the delivery of services for those struggling with addictions. From an introductory level of defining addictions, this training provides an advanced understanding of case conceptualization principles in the delivery of assessment and intervention services. Participants will gain awareness of the relationship between relapse prevention, motivational interviewing and engagement processes. A focus on the opioid epidemic will be presented with support for effective treatment interventions. Participants will be exposed to case scenarios and will work through impasses and solutions in the delivery of chemical and process related addictions.

Learning Objectives

Within the context of this 7 hour workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe relationship between chemical and process addictions
• Utilize motivational interviewing and engagement skills
• Describe the impact of opiates in the addiction process
• Recognize the difference between abstinence and harm-reduction theory
• Practice case conceptualization skills in the application of diagnoses and treatment interventions.

Schedule of the Day

Introduction, Assumptions & Biases

Exercise #1: Drawbridge Exercise

Critical Questions in the Assessment & Treatment Process

Biological Bases for Addictions

Trauma, Attachment & Learned Helplessness

Case Study #1

Opioid Addiction & Management

Process  & Behavioral Addictions

Case Study #2

Resilience, Motivation & Relapse Prevention

Exercise #2 Practice Resilience & Related Tools

Closing Remarks / Final Evaluations   

Continuing Education

7 NBCC CE Clock Hours Awarded

7 CE Hours Awarded to Psychologists

Partial attendance is not awarded.

Target Audience

This is an intermediate level training for clinical professionals.

Registration

Click HERE!

Refunds

Refunds must be requested prior to September 3, 2018.

For questions concerning registration or Continuing Education, please contact Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

June 1, 2018

9:00AM-4:30PM

Richmont Graduate University

1900 The Exchange SE, Bldg. 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

Presented by

Crystal Marie Burwell, PhD, LPC, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and owner of Enchanted Therapeutic Counseling Services (ETCS). Crystal is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, where she received her doctorate from North Carolina State University (NCSU). Crystal is a member of the original NBCC MFP fellowship. She has a passion for helping people live authentic lives and focuses on wellness and positive psychology. Her clinical specialties include eating disorders, substance abuse, mood and anxiety disorders. She has a new focus on bariatric care and will be launching binge eating and bariatric groups beginning November 2018. Lastly, Crystal teaches graduate counselor education courses at Messiah College and Richmont Graduate University and is a member of the editorial review board for The Professional Counselor (TPC).

Topic

This presentation will focus on understanding the basis of eating disorder behavior in adolescents and adults. Learn more about the DSM V changes in eating disorder diagnosis and treatment. Also, learn about medical complications and effects of disordered eating. Stay up to date with trending Eating Disorder treatment and resources for providers and educators.

Level of Audience: Beginner

Learning Objectives

Within the context of this 6 hour workshop, participants will be able to:

• Discuss recent changes to the DSM-V
• Critique issues surrounding feeding and eating disorders via case studies/evidenced based research
• Utilize knowledge regarding medical complications in adults and adolescents via problem solving treatment planning to provide comprehensive care
• Discuss insurance challenges with treating eating disorders and brainstorm action goals via lobbying power
• Apply knowledge of cultural diversity using the ADDRESSING model to determine cultural implications when working with eating disorder clients

Registration Information: Register HERE!

Fees

Regular Rate (Alumni/Community): $135

Reduced Rate (Alumni/Community): $125 when you register through Richmont’s NEW App! Search for “Richmont” on both Android and Apple app stores.

Continuing Education

6 NBCC CE Clock Hours Awarded

6 CE Hours Awarded to Psychologists

Partial attendance is not awarded.

For questions concerning registration or Continuing Education, please contact Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu.

Refunds: In order to receive a full refund, requests must be made prior to May 28.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions

Friday, July 13, 2018

Richmont Graduate University

1900 The Exchange, Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

9:00am – 4:30pm

Presented by

Sonja A. Sutherland, Ph.D. LPC, NCC, CPCS, DCC

Dr. Sutherland is an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia, an NBCC Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC), an NBCC Approved Counselor Supervisor (ACS), and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Therapist and Trainer. Dr. Sutherland is also the Founder and CEO of The Legacy Consortium, Inc (TLC), Executive Director of the Legacy Changers Counseling Centers, a division of the TLC, and also hosts a local Atlanta radio show focusing on family relationships and mental wellness. In the field of counseling since 1998, and licensed since 2001, Dr. Sutherland has provided therapeutic services in the private practice, psychiatric residential, in-home, and outpatient mental health settings, for adolescents and adults, through individual, group, couples, and family therapy. Dr. Sutherland has specialized in working with adolescents and families for the last 15 years. During the last decade Dr. Sutherland has also served as a Director of Mental Health and Clinical Services for mid – large sized outpatient mental health organizations providing therapeutic intervention in the Cobb, Atlanta, and Stone Mountain areas. Dr. Sutherland’s areas of research interest include counselor supervision & cultural competence development, and evidence-based treatment & residential models of care for at-risk adolescents (commercially sexually exploited youth, family relationship restoration, and integration of spirituality in treatment).

Course Description:

How should clinicians respond when confronted with ethical dilemmas in the field? How are the ethical codes best used for guiding and informing decisions? When separate culturally diverse groups’ attempts to protect their rights, results in a conflict of interest (i.e. for the rights of one group to be upheld, the rights of the second group must be compromised), how should clinicians address the subsequent ethical questions regarding one form of diversity taking priority/supremacy over another form of diversity? How can spiritual/religious diversity and sexual diversity co-exist and be treated respectfully (even when not always in agreement)? How can clinicians determine answers to questions surrounding beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice in our interactions with all individuals regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation and gender? Some of the biggest issues facing clinicians surround ethical practice. Knowing the codes is not enough. Many times we are put in such complex positions with clients that decision-making can provoke varying levels of anxiety. A highly interactive group format and thought-provoking case vignettes will challenge clinicians to think through diversity-related ethical dilemmas that are occurring in the field today. Related sections of the 2014 ACA Codes of Ethics will be incorporated.

Course Objectives: Within the context of this 6 hour workshop, participants will:

• Define cultural diversity
• Develop and demonstrate cultural self-and-other awareness
• List components involved in worldview development
• Apply understanding of worldview development to clinical case conceptualization
• List ethical considerations for working with culturally diverse clients
• Explain use of ethical decision-making models in working with culturally diverse others.
• List and discuss components of multicultural counseling and social justice counseling and apply using case vignettes

Target audience: Psychologists, Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapists

Basic Schedule:

Continuing Education: Six ethics CE clock hours awarded.

Fees:

• Richmont Graduate University Legacy and Founding Alumni Association Members, Hope/Henegar Supervisors, Faculty, & Staff: FREE
• Richmont Students: $25.00
• Basic Alumni Association Members: $50.00
• Nonmembers/Friends of Alumni: $125.00
• Have Lunch with us on campus! Lunch includes sandwich, chips, cookie, and drink. $8.00 (optional)

Registration: Click Here

For questions, please contact Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu.
Refunds will only be issued if requested prior to July 9..

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identifited. RGU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.  

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 This event is not sponsored by the alumni association and does not fall under the benefits of founding membership status.

When: May 25, 2019, 8:30am- 5:00pm (lunch on your own)

Where: Richmont Graduate University, 1900 The Exchange SE, Building 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

Continuing Education: 6 CEs Awarded. No partial credit awarded.

Fee: Students: $90

Professionals: $130

Presented by

Dr. Vanessa Snyder is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, Certified Traumatologist, and AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is a 2008 graduate as well as the VP of the Institute of Trauma and Recovery and the Dean of Clinical Affairs at Richmont Graduate University. She received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University in VA. Her areas of research interests include: trauma in families, sexual abuse and trauma, trauma treatment with play/art therapy, assessment in treatment of adults who experience trauma/complex trauma, secondary traumatic stress, complex trauma model protocol used for human trafficking and dissociative disorders.

Topic: 

This workshop concentrates on the differences between Grief and Loss, The different types of loss, various ways we grieve, and how to respond well to those who have experienced a recent loss. The course covers both theory and practical skills in responding to those who have gone through a loss and the grief that they may be experiencing as a result.

Learning Objectives: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Target Audience: clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, graduate students, emergency responders, humanitarian aid workers, pastors and short/long term missionaries working with traumatized populations.

Instruction Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Registration: Click HERE

Please direct your questions regarding registration to Martha Busby at mbusby@richmont.edu.

Refunds: In order to receive a full refund, requests must be submitted prior to May 15, 2019.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

There is no known commercial support for this training.

Presents

Attachment and the Trauma Spectrum

Richmont is opening a portion of this course to Richmont alumni and the surrounding community for Continuing Education Credit. Please note that this is only a portion of an entire course offered for a reduced fee. If you are interested in auditing or taking the entire course for course credit, please contact our registrar. This event is not sponsored by the alumni association and does not fall under the benefits of founding membership status.

February 2, 2018

Richmont Graduate University

1900 The Exchange SE, Bldg. 100, Atlanta, GA 30339

Register HERE!

Presented by:

Dan Sartor, PhD, LCPC, NCC

Dan Sartor is the Vice President of Integration and Associate Professor of Counseling at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist (IL & GA), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL), and Nationally Board Certified Counselor. Dr. Sartor specializes in integrating issues of faith and spirituality with psychology and counseling practice.  Other clinical specialties include complex trauma recovery, sexuality issues, addiction recovery, marital therapy, and crises of faith. Dr. Sartor regularly speaks on complex trauma recovery and is the co-author of  i:CARE: A Health Care Provider’s Guide to Recognizing and Caring for Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Victims (2016).

Dr. Sartor is the husband of Robin, with whom he gladly shares the joys and challenges of life. Together, they are raising four children who span the ages—and many activities—of middle school and high school. He enjoys camping with his family, reading, music, and home improvement projects. Dr. Sartor received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Biola University (Rosemead School of Psychology), and he holds an M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary. Dr. Sartor’s undergraduate degree is in music. In past vocational seasons, he has had the privilege of serving as the Director of Counseling Services and Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity Christian College, maintaining a full-time private practice, and serving vocationally in pastoral ministry as a Presbyterian minister. He remains passionate about the work of soul care and the practice of psychology.  His personal mission is to facilitate spiritual vitality and relational restoration through teaching, counseling, writing, and personal encounters in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. More information about Dr. Sartor’s clinical work and experiences are available at www.dansartorphd.com.

Course Description

Trauma produces variable impact upon individuals based upon it type, timing, severity, duration, and numerous individual protective factors across survivors.  This workshop will provide a framework for understanding post-trauma phenomena across the life span by, first, highlighting the biopsychosocial and spiritual dimensions of health according to Interpersonal Neurobiology and Attachment Theory, identifying five characteristics of adaptive resilience in secure attachment.  Next, the disruption of secure attachment through neglect, extreme stress, complex loss, trauma, and interpersonal trauma will be described, including resilience, post-traumatic growth, and the possible resulting impact on an individual’s attachment dynamics.  Classifications of post trauma disorders from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual—5 (DSM-5), International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD10), and the literature on Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (i.e., Complex Trauma) will be applied for understanding the unique impact of interpersonal trauma on the individual.  The workshop will conclude with an overview of trauma resilience, post-traumatic growth, and vicarious trauma.

Target Audience: Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, and Graduate Students.

Course Objectives

Within the context of this 6-hour workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe biopsychosocial dimensions of health according to Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) and Attachment Theory
• Identify five characteristics of health and adaptive resilience according to IPNB
• Define the four styles of attachment according to Attachment Theory: Secure, Preoccupied, Dismissive, and Disorganized
• Recognize the disruption to health often caused by neglect, extreme stress, complex loss/grief, and interpersonal trauma
• Apply Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5 (DSM-5) International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) framework for Posttraumatic Disorders
• Describe the impact of trauma on an individual’s spirituality and world-view
• Recognize the signs of Dissociative Identity Disorder
• Identify six areas of disturbance caused by interpersonal trauma according to the literature on complex trauma (Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified; DESNOS)
• Describe the difference between resilience, post-traumatic growth, and vicarious trauma

Basic Topic Schedule

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Continuing Education:

6 CE clock hours available

Workshop Level:

Beginner to Intermediate

Course Schedule:

February 2, 2018: 9am – 5pm

Fees: $125

Registration: Click HERE

For CE and registration question, please contact Martha Busby.

Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

Richmont Graduate University is approved by the American Psychologist Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Richmont Graduate University maintains responsibility for this program and its content.