Products and Resources Catalog

Presented by: Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime. Angela Schindler-Berg, MS, LMHP Angela Schindler-Berg is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and has worked with primary care clinics and integrated community-based mental health services for over 25 years.   As the Nebraska Project Lead for HealthTeamWorks, Angie promotes healthcare delivery that utilizes evidence based mental health practices, effective team-based care, care management resources, quality improvement processes, and strategic population health to improve the quality of health/life for individuals.  As a practice facilitator Ms. Schindler-Berg has worked on CMS/CMMI initiatives such as the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC+) and with SAMHSA on the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Initiative (PBHCI).   Currently, Ms. Schindler-Berg supports the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Munroe Meyer Institute as a contracted Regional Trainer with the Region 7 Mid-America Mental Health Technical Transfer Center (MHTTC) She facilitates a collaborative network of supports, focusing on resource development and dissemination, training and technical assistance, and workforce development for the mental health field.  Angie received her Master of Science with Drake University in Rehabilitation Administration and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. She brings expertise in integrated care, mental health, care management, crisis intervention and trauma informed care.     Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community

  This is a recording of Workshop 2 in the Back to School Series, “Giving Voice to Youth Psychological Strengths: A Photovoice Partnership Project,” that took place on August 16, 2023.   In this second session, faculty from California State University, Sacramento’s School Psychology Program and staff and students from Natomas Pacific Pathways Preparatory (NP3) High School showcased the Photovoice Partnership Project, “Giving Voice to Youth Psychological Strengths.”   CSUS Anchor University Grant-funded this project, and it was carried out in a collaboration between the NP3 High School students, counselors, and school psychologists; and CSUS School Psychology faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students. The webinar celebrates the outcome of this project, that entailed a timeline of ten weeks in which NP3 students worked to (a) define psychological strengths such as self-efficacy, self-awareness, empathy, optimism, and gratitude; (b) examine sources of psychological strength in their school, peer, and family networks; and (c) produce photovoice projects illustrating their “world of strengths.”   View this video for a brief introduction to the project, featuring individual project presentations by each of the students, tools used to ground the activities, such as the CoVitality strengths-based mental health screener, and a question and answer discussion with the faculty, Dr. Meagan O'Malley and Jeremy Greene, MA, NCSP, LEP.   

Behavioral health practitioners and organizations are often required to determine whether a particular intervention meets the needs of their clients, staff, and/or funders. The Best and Promising Practice (BPP) Fact Sheet Library, developed by the MHTTC Network, is designed to provide the mental health workforce with information about a wide array of evidence-based and promising approaches. Each fact sheet in the library summarizes a specific behavioral health practice, its evidence base, and steps for successful implementation.  In this sheet, we provide an overview of the principles and practices of Assertive Community Treatment (ACT).

Behavioral health practitioners and organizations are often required to determine whether a particular intervention meets the needs of their clients, staff, and/or funders. The Best and Promising Practice (BPP) Fact Sheet Library, developed by the MHTTC Network, is designed to provide the mental health workforce with information about a wide array of evidence-based and promising approaches. Each fact sheet in the library summarizes a specific behavioral health practice, its evidence base, and steps for successful implementation.  In this sheet, we provide an overview of the principles and practices of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp).

About this Resource:  This 4-part series looks at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In Part 4, the final session of this series, thought leaders in behavioral health and respite discuss and answer questions about the future of peer-led peer-run alternatives to the traditional clinical hierarchical model as well as discuss how "peer-washing" traditional services to give them a recovery sheen is impacting peer support and respite models. Our presenters will also forecast what they believe will (or should) come next for the mental health recovery community.     Click here to access the on-demand recordings from the other sessions in this 4-part series.  

At the New England MHTTC, we believe that agencies and organizations can benefit from applying a racial equity lens to their structure and activities. “A racial equity lens is a set of questions we ask ourselves when we are planning, developing or evaluating a policy, program or decision. It helps us assess if we are taking in the perspectives of the racially diverse people and communities we intend to serve, and whether our policies and programs are resulting in equitable or inequitable outcomes. An equity lens helps us see where challenges and opportunities exist, so that we can make intentional steps to ensure more equitable outcomes for all individuals and communities.” Asking meaningful questions is key. In order to compile the questions for consideration below, the TTC Network conducted a review of approximately 50 organizational and community assessment tools and resources available from the website, Racial Equity Tools. We pulled and synthesized questions from these materials, as well as direct resources from the New England MHTTC, to determine questions most applicable for our work. By providing this resource, we are not signifying that this is a complete list of questions to consider in order to achieve racial equity. We aim to spur thinking and action among the agencies, organizations, and collaborators in our community and we acknowledge that this is just one step in a longer, more integrated and comprehensive process.

Compassionate Listening is... A personal practice – to cultivate inner strength, self awareness, self regulation and wisdom. A skill set – to enhance interpersonal relations and navigate challenging conversation. A process – to bring individuals or groups together to bridge their differences and transform conflict A healing gift – to offer a compassionate listening session to a person who feels marginalized or in pain.   These principles, adapted with permission from the Compassionate Listening Project,, guide the engagements of the New England MHTTC's Racial Equity and Advancing Cultural Humility (REACH) for Organizational Change Learning Collaborative. We encourage you to use these principles as you engage in frank and honest conversations in the workplace. The principles are designed to keep the dialogue grounded so that you can focus your energy on cultivating compassion and respect for others; serving as a witness to another's truth; and listening and speaking from the heart.  

Issues stemming from race and other cultural matters are broad and varied. Individuals and organizations will find that they are quite knowledgeable and proficient in some aspects of cultural competence, and yet, may neglect asking crucial questions in another area. For instance, we may be acutely aware of making focus group (or other) accommodations for the hearing impaired community, but may not have a cache of options to make public health programs accessible to non-native English speakers. When you begin to consider your approach to engagement with diverse communities, you can gauge how and why mainstream strategies have a lower effectiveness and work from a more culturally responsive foundation. Ultimately, the more your work stems from relevant aspects of racial and cultural identity, the greater your chances for effective outcomes and increased, sustainable engagement from a broader, more diverse community. In assessing your agency/organization's capacity for cultural responsiveness, it is useful to have a tool that is focused on core ways to interpret the wide range of behaviors and attitudes that are expressed in the policies and practices of an organization. Our Process of Gaining Cultural Competence represents a continuum into which we can place behaviors, attitudes, policies, and practices. This is intended to be a dynamic tool, since there is always room for growth and development in individuals, organizations, and institutionalized policies and practices.

This social media toolkit includes six posts that each debunk a different myth around suicide. Feel free to share on your own networks!

Despite impacting tens of thousands of people each year, there are still many misconceptions surrounding suicide. It is of utmost importance that we begin to breakdown these misunderstandings by providing up-to-date information and education. The South Southwest MHTTC has put together four posts for social media that offer a unique "fast fact." Please feel free to share these posts across your social networks.

Many people who are considering suicide display warning signs. Warning signs of suicide include identifiable indicators, such as changes in behaviors, talk, and mood. The South Southwest MHTTC has put together a handout that highlights common warning signs of suicide.

There are documented factors that can protect against suicide. These factors work to prevent suicide on a variety of levels. Learning about what steps can be taken to prevent suicide can empower individuals and communities to take action. The South Southwest MHTTC has put together a handout identifying protective factors for suicide prevention.

Please join us for our monthly MHTTC webinar series, featuring Mike Bricker, MS, CADC-II, NCAC-2, LPC, a consultant on “dual recovery” from substance use and mental disorders through the STEMSS Institute. Mike specializes in blending research-based treatment with other Wisdom Traditions. Mike is also a Behavioral Health Clinician for Lifestance Behavioral Health in Eugene, Oregon, where he provides trauma-responsive care for chronic pain, methamphetamine, and Medication- Assisted Treatment. He has educated and trained counselors in Alaska, Oregon, and the Navajo Nation. Mike is a seasoned trainer who presents regularly at national conferences; he is training director for the Oregon NAADAC Chapter, an invited reviewer for SAMHSA grants, and a NAADAC-Approved Education Provider. He has been a clinician, consultant, and teacher for more than 35 years. Click HERE to access the event recording.

Join us for Wellness: Mind, Body, Spirit: Signs & Symptoms of Suicide Ideation. This event took place on July 25, 2023. Please click HERE to access the event recording. 

The South Southwest MHTTC collaborated with the Texas Association of Community Health Centers to host the first Trauma Informed Care Series: Knowledge & Strategies for Health and Hope session on August 8, 2023. This session focused on real-world applications of Trauma Informed Care Principles: Non-Medical Drivers of Health (SDoH) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)     Trauma Informed Care (TIC) is an evidence-based framework particularly suited to collaboratively identify risk factors to care, such as medication access and use, therapeutic engagement, and non-medical resource needs and navigation.   Watch Recording  

Asking a loved one about suicide is never an easy conversation. However, the act of talking about suicide can save a life and provide an opportunity for a struggling friend or family member to share their feelings and get support. We have put together a brief guide to facilitate a conversation with someone about suicide and compiled some useful resources. We hope that you feel empowered to check in on your loved ones and to share this resource with others this Suicide Prevention month.

This 5-hour, self-paced course is the STRIDE Group Facilitator Training, a follow up to the popular Empowering Wellness in Mental Health: Helping People with their Lifestyle Changes, which outlines the principles and evidence behind the STRIDE Program, developed by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. What makes this course unique is that it was developed specifically for people living with mental illness, taking anti-psychotic medications to help reduce the cardiovascular risks often experienced by this population. Learn with the developers of the STRIDE Program to explore and understand the Group program curriculum. This online course was created by the Northwest Region 10 Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).    Certificate of Completion/Contact Hours Available  Physicians, physician assistants, primary care ARNPs, psychologists, and other health care providers may be eligible for CME or CEUs for completing the course. Retain your Certificate of Completion and verify its suitability for CME/CEUS with your licensing/credentialing entity.  The University of Washington is an approved provider of continuing education for DOH licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, psychologists, chemical dependency professionals, nurses and physicians under the provisions of: WAC 246-809-610, WAC 246-809-620,WAC 246-811-200, WAC 246-840-210, WAC 246-919-460 and WAC 246-924-240. Registration and Technical Support How to register for a course at HealtheKnowledge and how to get technical support This online course was created by the Northwest Region 10 Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) with support from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Want more information? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's Resource Library and Websites by Topic  and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

The fourth August issue of our newsletter features two upcoming Northwest MHTTC webinars, an ACT networking event, ATTC and MHTTC Network events, other events of interest and resources. 

  Learn key risk and protective factors contributing to school refusal using a Multi-Tiered System of Support framework. To view resources from this session, click DOWNLOAD above Click here to watch the recording Event Description During this presentation, we will delve into the critical topic of chronic absenteeism and explore effective prevention and assessment strategies. Through this session, you will gain valuable insights on how to support students experiencing school refusal within a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. We will discuss practical approaches to embedding interventions that foster resilience and promote continuous school attendance. Additionally, you will learn how to identify key risk and protective factors contributing to school refusal, equipping you with valuable knowledge to address these challenges more effectively. Trainer Casey Dupart   Casey Dupart is an accomplished K12 Administrator, School Psychologist, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who has built a versatile career across K12 environments.  She has supported students across various settings living in Italy, Maryland, Texas, North Carolina, Utah, and Hawai’i.  

In furthering our efforts to meet people where they are and foster healthy practices in adolescents and youth, the Great Lakes MHTTC and Wisconsin PATCH (Providers and Teens Communicating for Health) asked teens to describe the best ways adults can partner with youth and what motivates young people to get involved with organizations like PATCH. The responses featured in this resource were provided by teenage participants of the PATCH Teen Educators program.    This product was created with our valued partners at Wisconsin PATCH.  

  Internal Family Systems (IFS, sometimes nicknamed "Parts Work") is an evidence-based model of psychotherapy that acknowledges that the mind naturally contains multiple parts with different purposes, needs, and stories. When our inner parts feel safe and have their concerns addressed, our core self knows how to heal, allowing us to become integrated and whole. Today, IFS has a legacy of effectiveness in the treatment of trauma and in addressing a variety of mental health concerns. This guide was created by WAFCA with funding from the Great Lakes MHTTC and is based on material presented by Dr. Frank Anderson on March 23, 2023 for WAFCA-CE.   WAFCA serves as the Wisconsin partner for the Great Lakes MHTTC. 

Objectives: Review common supervision models, highlighting their absence of cultural integration. Critique current supervision models, while discussing their potential to cause harm to supervisees. Identify ways to apply the supervision models in a culturally adapted manner. Presented by: Patty Cerda-Lizarraga, Ph.D., Belinda Hinojos, PhD, LP, and Anitra Warrior, PhD, LP Patricia Cerda-Lizarraga, Ph.D., graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a double major in Cognitive Psychology and Spanish Language and Culture. She moved to the Midwest where she completed her Masters degree and doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Patricia previously worked as a staff psychologist at UNL where she provided individual and group therapy to college students. Patricia was the diversity coordinator at Counseling and Psychological Services at UNL and has a passion to work with issues of diversity and with people of color. She recently came on board at Morningstar to work with the American Indian population in Nebraska and expand her training in working with children and families. Dr. Patty was born and raised in Southern California. Together with her two young boys and her husband they have made Lincoln, Nebraska their home. Dr. Patty enjoys family time and taking trips to California and Mexico.   Belinda Hinojos, Ph.D., received her bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas. She completed her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is a staff psychologist and training director with Morningstar. In this role, she provides mental health services to American Indian communities in Nebraska. This includes outreach and services to the Little Priest Tribal College and the Nebraska Indian Community College. Dr. Hinojos previously held the position of training director at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Throughout her career, Dr. Hinojos has focused on increasing access to quality mental health services for people of color. She began her work at UNL-CAPS as the Diversity Coordinator and Latinx Outreach Specialist. Prior to starting her doctoral program, Dr. Hinojos worked at a community mental health agency in Kansas City providing mental health services to the Latinx community. She is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association. She currently serves on the Standing Committee on Diversity through the Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies, in addition to the Training Advisory Committee for the Minority Fellowship Program through the American Psychological Association.   Dr. Anitra Warrior is the owner of Morningstar Counseling and Consultation in Lincoln, Nebraska, and is from the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology in 2015 and has operated her clinic since 2012. Since receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Warrior has established four additional clinics that are now located throughout eastern Nebraska. Morningstar offers counseling on two college campuses, as well as in schools, communities, and other integrated care locations with the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska. Clinic sites are based on reservations and in rural and urban settings. Dr. Warrior specializes in treating trauma in children through the utilization of evidenced based practices that have been adapted to the American Indian population. Most recently, Morningstar has become a training site for doctoral candidates with the Munroe-Meyer Institute. This track will focus on integrated care on the reservation as well as provide additional clinical training opportunities in schools, colleges, and in the tribal communities. Learn more about the series — Decolonizing Training and Supervision: Implementing a Culturally Responsive Model of Training  

  Learn about evidence-based diagnostic and treatment approaches to Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. To access resources from this presentation, click DOWNLOAD above Click here to watch the recording Event Description 2 to 3% of the population meets the criteria for having a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder.  However, there are varying types and treatments.  This session will provide an overview of diagnostic and treatment approaches. Trainer Andrew McLean   Dr. McLean is Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences. He obtained his medical degree from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, completed a psychiatry residency at the University of Wisconsin, and an M.P.H. degree from the University of Minnesota. He has been recognized as a UND School of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus, has received the American Psychiatric Association Bruno Lima award for outstanding contributions to Disaster Psychiatry, and has been conferred with numerous teaching excellence awards. Dr. McLean previously was the Medical Director of the ND Department of Human Services. He has served on numerous clinical, administrative, and regulatory boards, including medical licensing and professional health programs. He has lectured internationally on pertinent behavioral and public health issues. Dr. McLean has a particular interest in collaborative models of care. He also is interested in individual and community resilience.

About this Resource:  This 4-part series looks at mental health respite care from the peer perspective, including discussions on its history and future direction, when and how it is being used (both in the Southeast and nationally), and the ways it can benefit one's recovery journey. In Part 3 of our series leaders of respite centers across the country shared their lived experience operating their centers. Speakers discussed how respite standards have emerged and how different elements impact the ability of respite to open or remain open, including politics, NIMBYism, economic fluctuations, state and national leadership changes, and even the weather..   Click here to learn more about the 4-part series or view on-demand recordings from our other sessions.