Past Events

The relationship between empathy and healthy peer relationships has been studied at length over the years, and research suggests that building empathy can help reduce bullying and cyberbullying while simultaneously promoting tolerance, kindness, and peer respect in student interactions. While many teachers and administrators affirm its importance, they often do not have a toolbox of plug-and-play activities they can use in their classrooms and schools. This session first explains the key research findings in this area before providing concrete ideas for project-based and experiential learning to decrease peer aggression offline and online, and promote intervening behaviors from bystanders.   This training will: Share the specifics of our updated, nationally-representative research at the intersections of empathy, bullying, and cyberbullying among youth Discuss how society and culture relate to levels of empathy among youth (both positively and negatively) Calm overreactions about how technology and social media affect student empathy Consider the challenges that must be overcome when building empathy among teens Provide a host of user-friendly, easy-to-implement empathy-building activities and projects for students Show how intentionally fostering empathy can reduce the frequency of peer aggression, and increase the likelihood of bystander interventions.   Download Flyer   Speaker   Sameer Hinduja is a Professor at Florida Atlantic University, Faculty Associate at Harvard University, & Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.    

This presentation will review the history of evidence-based treatments for borderline personality disorder and the components common to all effective treatments, with a specific focus on Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Good Psychiatric Management. In addition to explaining both treatments’ components, theory, and evidence base, this presentation will discuss the costs and benefits of each one and the situations in which they can be most effectively used.   Presenter: Dr. Choi-Kain is currently the Director of the Gunderson Personality Disorders Institute (GPDI), an internationally recognized center of training for empirically supported treatments for borderline personality disorder (BPD) and research on outcomes as well as the social cognitive mechanisms targeted in these interventions.    This webinar will be presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Mental Health Center GrandRounds series.   If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].

The Northwest MHTTC is excited to collaborate with the University of Washington's SPIRIT Lab (Supporting Psychosis Innovation through Research, Implementation, & Training) to offer a live learning community in Winter 2024. Topics are grouped as the "Essentials of Care" as they are crucial topics focused on supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) across a range of clinical settings.  Each session includes expert-led instruction and experiential learning Up to 16 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credits* (see bottom of page) are available. ABOUT THE LEARNING COMMUNITY Who is eligible to apply? How do I apply? Members of the mental health/behavioral health workforce who are based in the states of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho & Washington (HHS Region 10) Commitment to attend the whole series is required Each individual must have access to computer/web camera/audio to participate Spots are limited! We will be accepting applications until December 18, 2023. Why attend this Learning Community? You will receive incredibly useful training backed by experience and research from a training team committed to helping the workforce feel skilled in serving this population. They have worked in the field and are passionate about training others. You will explore the knowledge, attitude and skills to perform this important work and increase your effectiveness and perspective. Come learn best practice strategies that can be implemented in your work with individuals experiencing SMI to support recovery!  Staff, leaders and teams can benefit in multiple ways: Onboarding for new(er) staff Professional development to expand staff and leadership skill set Increase familiarity, confidence and competence when working with this population Support teams in work settings that may not receive this type of training Hear our podcast episode with the SPIRIT team discussing this Learning Community series and more by CLICKING HERE SESSIONS: Wednesdays, January 10 - February 28, 2024  9 - 11am AK / 10am - 12pm PT / 11am - 1pm MT Session # and Date Title Description Instructor   1: Jan 10   Recovery-Based Care   Work toward a better understanding of what recovery-oriented care means and how recovery principles can be enacted in community support settings.   Stephen Smith, PhD   2: Jan 17   Overview of Serious Mental Illness (SMI)   Cultivate understanding of SMI signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.   Stephen Smith, PhD   3: Jan 24   Creating a Supportive Environment   Develop knowledge and skills to foster safe and supportive environments that promote recovery.   Shannon Stewart, LMHC   4: Jan 31   Trauma-Informed Care   Improve knowledge and skills to feel more effective and confident in your communication with individuals experiencing SMI.   Mel LaBelle III, LMHC     5:  Feb 7   Building Therapeutic Communication   Improve knowledge and skills to feel more effective and confident in your communication with individuals experiencing SMI.   Shannon Stewart, LMHC   6:  Feb 14   Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders   A primer on addiction basics with motivational enhancement strategies.   Jeff Roskelley, LICSW   7:  Feb 21   Culturally Responsive Care Practices   Foster discussion and education around cultural identities, beliefs, and how to incorporate culturally responsive care practices with empathy and respect.   Mel LaBelle, LMHC   8:  Feb 28   Crisis Response   Develop knowledge and skills to work with individuals in crisis.   Stephen Smith, PhD Questions: For questions about this series, including eligibility and registration please contact the Northwest MHTTC at [email protected]. FACILITATORS SHANNON STEWART, LMHC (Lead Trainer) is a clinician and trainer for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) within the UW SPIRIT Lab. She graduated from Arizona State University with a dual major in Psychology and Communication while later completing her MA in Community Counseling at Seattle University. Prior to joining the UW Psychiatry Department, she worked in outpatient mental health at Harborview Medical Center providing CBTp treatment and provider consultation to support individuals experiencing Serious Mental Illness (SMI). She also served on Harborview’s First Episode Psychosis (FEP) team providing early intervention evidence-based treatment to individuals navigating the onset of psychotic disorders. In addition to her focus on CBTp, she has significant experience delivering evidence-based employment support services which focus on transitioning individuals experiencing SMI back to meaningful community employment. Shannon’s interests involve understanding/addressing how stigma around SMI creates barriers to access, engagement, therapeutic rapport building and ultimately meaningful recovery. JEFFERY ROSKELLEY, LICSW Jeffery Roskelley, LICSW was trained and received consultation in CBTp with the original Washington state cohort in 2015 and provided direct clinical CBTp counseling to clients at Sunrise Mental Health from 2015 to 2018. Jeff graduated from the University of Utah with a Masters of Social Work degree in 2008, and has worked in several different settings including hospice, as a co-occurring assessment specialist at the University of Utah and as a co-occurring specialist for the Lake Whatcom PACT team in Bellingham WA, where he currently resides. Currently Jeff is a trainer and consultant for the University of Washington and in addition to CBTp, he trains WA state PACT teams in integrated dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring disorders.   MEL LABELLE III, MA, LMHC Mel LaBelle is currently providing training and consultation for the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp) project with a focus on CBTp groups. He graduated from Argosy University, Seattle with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Prior to joining the UW Psychiatry Department, he has spent the past 10+ years working in non-profit public health and mental health agencies in the Greater Seattle Area. As a licensed mental health counselor Mel has provided CBTp and other evidence-based therapies to individual clients and groups with a focus on LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC. He has also trained and worked as a mHealth Support Specialist for the University of Washington FOCUS study. Mel’s interests involve using the gestalt of a person’s culture, biosocial history, social support system, and belief structure within group therapy to assist the individual, and other group members, in increased awareness, understanding, and personal efficacy. Stephen Smith, PHD Dr. Stephen M. Smith is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist whose professional mission is, and has been, dedicated to advancing health equity for marginalized communities and individuals experiencing mental health concerns. Of particular interest are concerns related to the experience of psychosis. Dr. Smith has trained in the use of recovery-focused approaches to psychosis, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp) and Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R).  Whether providing direct care or training and supporting other treatment providers, Dr. Smith constantly seeks to expand our understanding of the impact of cultural and structural factors on how we conceptualize and respond to individuals experiencing psychosis. Dr. Smith also has a private practice in which he provides psychotherapy specifically for adult men of color.   The SPIRIT Lab has been providing workforce development to practitioners serving individuals with Serious Mental Illness for more than a decade. Driven by a dedication to advancing recovery for individuals and families affected by psychosis, SPIRIT lab faculty and staff provide training and consultation to an array of behavioral health and allied providers in research-based and culturally informed interventions. *CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT DETAILS:  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.

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

This session will inform participants about a variety of innovative strategies providers can share with families to assist them in supporting people who hear voices or experience other unusual beliefs or extreme states that are often labeled as psychosis. Internationally recognized educator, consultant and presenter Cindy Hadge draws from her own experiences overcoming childhood trauma as well as her experiences supporting family members to fuel her passion and inform her work resulting in invaluable information and tools shared with participants. There will also be time for questions and discussion to close out this 1.5 hour workshop.  Presenter: Cindy Hadge has used her experiences overcoming childhood trauma to become a internationally recognized educator providing training and consultations to mental health providers, worldwide who are looking for innovative ways to approach voice-hearing and extreme states. She is also passionate about developing and facilitating healing spaces and workshops for families whose loved ones are not responding well to the current mental health system’s offerings. As Lead Trainer of the Wildflower Alliance, Cindy has keynoted a variety of conferences.

This session will inform participants about a variety of innovative strategies providers can share with families to assist them in supporting people who hear voices or experience other unusual beliefs or extreme states that are often labeled as psychosis. Internationally recognized educator, consultant, and presenter Cindy Hadge draws from her own experiences overcoming childhood trauma as well as her experiences supporting family members to fuel her passion and inform her work resulting in invaluable information and tools shared with participants. There will also be time for questions and discussion to close out this 1.5 hour workshop.    Presenter: Cindy Hadge has become an internationally recognized educator providing training and consultations to mental health providers worldwide who are looking for innovative ways to approach voice-hearing and extreme states. She is also passionate about developing and facilitating healing spaces and workshops for families whose loved ones are not responding well to the current mental health system’s offerings. As Lead Trainer of the Wildflower Alliance, Cindy has keynoted a variety of conferences.   If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].

  This is part 1 of the Integrated Care Approach to Primary Care Behavioral Health series Event Description An Integrated Approach to Primary Care Behavioral Health: Part 1 This session will discuss the Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) model for addressing behavioral health concerns in a primary care setting. PCBH is an integrated care model that is team-based and focused on population health. Participants will learn about gaining agency buy-in, creating space for workflow, developing a collaborative, team-based approach to behavioral health, and the type of skills and training a behavioral health provider may need to be successful in a primary care consultation model. Trainer Robin Landwehr   Robin is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) who holds a Master of Science degree in mental health counseling from Capella University, and a Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) degree from Arizona State University. She currently serves as the Integrated Care Director at a Federally Qualified Health Center, and has a small private practice.  During her career, Robin has been fortunate enough to be involved in numerous writing projects and trainings, practiced as part of a collaborative care team, and provided clinical supervision. Her experience as a clinical counselor includes assisting individuals struggling with trauma, depression, anxiety, health behaviors, substance abuse, and other issues. She is a certified instructor in the Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) suicide prevention programs. 

The South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC), invites Region 6 Peer Specialists and Family Partners to participate in our monthly networking meetings. These no-cost, virtual meetings offer you the opportunity to collaborate with other Peer Specialists and Family Partners in a supportive, mentoring environment. The goal is to provide a space for resource sharing, support around ways to be most effective when working with clients, options for self-care strategies, and more! This event takes place on the first Friday of each month from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. CT.  About the Facilitator:  Jessi Davis (she/they) is an experienced Program Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in the Peer Support, Mental Health, and Substance Use Recovery fields. Jessi is known for work surrounding Youth and Young Adult Peer Support training, technical assistance, and leadership. Their qualifications include Mental Health Peer Specialist, Recovery Support Peer Specialist, Peer Recovery Support Specialist – Transitional Aged Youth, and Digital Peer Support certifications. Currently working at the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Jessi works to provide support, technical assistance, and training to the peer workforce throughout the 5 states and all tribal communities within Region 6. They have spent much of their career focused on Youth and Young Adult Peer Support and is currently the President of the National Association of Peer Supporters.

The South Southwest MHTTC hosted the Educator Wellness and Trauma-Informed Classrooms Master Training event for Texas Education Service Centers (ESC).  This optional learning community is a space to share new resources, research, and tools to support the implementation of this training in Texas. We will provide a space to share what is working, any challenges experienced, and brainstorm ways that the South Southwest MHTTC can support the leaders implementing this training. This group meets the first Thursday of every month from 9:00 - 10:00 am CT.

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

  Event Description Even though you're an expert at helping everyone else, it doesn't mean you always take care of yourself. Join Dr. Rebecca Marshall, a life and wellness coach with a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, for an one-hour workshop filled with practical tools to help you feel better during the end of the year chaos. Explore (and practice!) evidence-based strategies for nervous system regulation, mindful self-compassion, and other wellness practices to navigate the year-end demands and welcome the new year with calm. Prioritize yourself and step into 2024 with a renewed sense of calm and vitality. We hope to see you at our last Workshop Wednesday training in 2023.  Trainer Rebecca Shisler Marshall, PhD, CCC-SLP Dr. Rebecca Marshall is an expert in integrative wellness, mindfulness, and stress reduction. Drawing upon a rich blend of scientific knowledge and the innate wisdom of the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, she published her first book, Whole Body Upgrade.   As a former stress addict who personally experienced burnout and its subsequent recovery, Rebecca's work centers on an integrative approach of nervous system regulation, holistic rest, and spiritual exploration. She understands firsthand the profound impact that well-being can have, not only on individuals but also on entire communities.  With her initial training rooted in speech-language pathology and cognitive experimental psychology, Rebecca has spent over two decades researching mindfulness and integrative wellness. In addition to her academic training, she has also completed extensive training as a life and wellness coach, mindfulness and yoga instructor, reiki master, shamanic practitioner, and integrative change worker to further enrich her integrative approach to wellness 

  Event Description Even though you're an expert at helping everyone else, it doesn't mean you always take care of yourself. Join Dr. Rebecca Marshall, a life and wellness coach with a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology, for an one-hour workshop filled with practical tools to help you feel better during the end of the year chaos. Explore (and practice!) evidence-based strategies for nervous system regulation, mindful self-compassion, and other wellness practices to navigate the year-end demands and welcome the new year with calm. Prioritize yourself and step into 2024 with a renewed sense of calm and vitality. We hope to see you at our last Workshop Wednesday training in 2023.  Trainer Rebecca Shisler Marshall, PhD, CCC-SLP Dr. Rebecca Marshall is an expert in integrative wellness, mindfulness, and stress reduction. Drawing upon a rich blend of scientific knowledge and the innate wisdom of the body, mind, emotions, and spirit, she published her first book, Whole Body Upgrade.   As a former stress addict who personally experienced burnout and its subsequent recovery, Rebecca's work centers on an integrative approach of nervous system regulation, holistic rest, and spiritual exploration. She understands firsthand the profound impact that well-being can have, not only on individuals but also on entire communities.  With her initial training rooted in speech-language pathology and cognitive experimental psychology, Rebecca has spent over two decades researching mindfulness and integrative wellness. In addition to her academic training, she has also completed extensive training as a life and wellness coach, mindfulness and yoga instructor, reiki master, shamanic practitioner, and integrative change worker to further enrich her integrative approach to wellness 

This webinar will explore the concept of healthy aging for people living with serious mental health conditions. While people aging in this group may experience health challenges, supporters can encourage and empower people to take actions toward healthy aging despite challenges.   Objectives: Explore healthy aging for people aging with serious mental health conditions List methods to promote healthy aging Identify strategies to empower older adults to make informed decisions about resources for care and supports  

This event will discuss the New England MHTTC's work assisting organizations with racial equity and efforts to make web-based content reflective of the mission & values of the organization. With intersectionality in mind, Ashley Stewart, Director of the Center for Health Equity will inform attendees about the methods used to ensure inclusivity, cultural awareness, and attunement via a web auditing process.   Our third session will be a didactic and tangible one, and we encourage participants to bring in examples from their organizations as presenter Ashley Stewart will share a resource handout that will help guide organizations through the stages of transformation. Attendees will spend time in groups discussing essential questions like: What does it look like to acknowledge to engage in accountability and take action? What do we need to acknowledge? Where do we need to take accountability? And what does action look like?   Learn more about this series.    If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

The Region 6 Peer Support Advisory Committee (PSAC) to the South Southwest MHTTC meets on a monthly basis to collaborate across the states and tribal communities to identify and address common areas of need and share resources. Based on feedback from the PSAC, and needs identified by peers across Region 6, the MHTTC organizes training and technical assistance focused on peer retention and workforce development. This is a closed meeting.

About the Event:  In Part 3 of our Ready for Re-entry series, we will discuss the Forensic Peer Mentor Training itself. We will focus on the Ready for Reentry training created by the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN). Lindsey Sizemore, founding director of the training, will describe the opportunities and challenges faced while developing and growing this new model of peer support. Learning Objectives: By the end of this program participants will be able to 1) Describes the necessary components of Forensic Peer Mentor Training 2) Describe outcomes associated with the Forensic Peer Mentor Training 3) Identify strong candidates for successful Forensic Peer Mentor training and completion of peer support services   Click here to learn more about the other sessions in this 4-part series!

This 3-part series provides a detailed understanding of trauma and the various types trauma individuals experience. Sessions will explore the impact of secondary/vicarous trauma on corrections staff by examining the various ways exposure to traumatic events impacts the individual, the work they do, and the individuals they engage with on a daily basis. This series also explores what is needed to establish a trauma-informed organization, the impact of stigma and bias, and finishes with the interplay of two groups of trauma survivors - corrections staff, inmates, and/or parole/probation supervisees - and strategies to mitigate or reduce trauma activation potential among staff and those they supervise for more successful overall outcomes.   Session 3 will discuss the disparate, significant impact of incarceration and reentry on women returning to the community; challenges, barriers, and strategies for improving outcomes for women reentering society. Presenters: Steven Samra, MPA, C4 Innovations, and Daisy Hernandez, MSW, LCSW, MBA, C4 Innovations.   Learn More about this series.   If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].

This talk will discuss when, how, and why to prescribe clozapine.  Dr. Laitman will give specific approaches to minimize predictable side effects and maximize benefits. He will present his own data supporting this approach.  Presenter: Dr. Robert Laitman is an internist who specializes in the use of clozapine in an optimal fashion for individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic spectrum disorders.   This webinar will be co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET, www.mapnet.online)     If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].

This learning community is closed to select participants.  To learn more about this series, visit the homepage: Implementing Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Kansas  

About this Event:  Engaging consumers with mental health and/or substance use disorders to be active participants in their care can be challenging. This interactive seminar will cover engagement both within the context of evidence-based practices focused on outreach and general skills and engagement strategies outside of those unique programs. We will describe engagement strategies associated with and program components built into assertive community treatment and other similar evidence-based practice. Then, we will discuss general engagement tools that can be used in any mental health treatment, such as defining recovery goals as well as using listening skills and motivational enhancement techniques. We will reserve some time for small groups to identify engagement strategies that have been or might be helpful in their treatment setting.   About the Facilitator:  Angela Rollins, Ph.D., is a Research Scientist at Regenstrief Institute and Associate Research Professor of Psychology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Dr. Rollins' research interests are primarily in studying methods for improving implementation of evidence-based mental health practices for people with severe mental illness. Recent topics include the measurement of program fidelity, improving clinical knowledge and skills, and reducing staff burnout. Clinical populations of interest include those experiencing homelessness, mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, as well as populations that might best be served by mental health and substance abuse services integrated within primary care settings. Dr. Rollins has particular expertise in the implementation of assertive community treatment, illness management and recovery, supported employment, and integrated dual disorders treatment. 

  Event Description Many behavioral health providers had to rapidly shift to the use of telehealth services in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue offering care to clients in need. In this “post”-pandemic era, new research is highlighting that technology is here to stay in the behavioral health workforce, but with the rapid transition of virtual services, many staff report minimal training and guidance as to how to best use such technology within their organization and in the delivery of client services. While research indicates that telehealth perceptions from staff are favorable and telehealth is seen as generally useful, both urban and rural providers report training needs related to clinical care and administrative functions. This workshop will explore strategies to help increase digital literacy for clients and to effectively engage clients in remote services. Additionally, this workshop will explore several avenues of reducing barriers to telehealth care for rural and under-resourced areas, such as increasing access to the required technology and how to ensure technology-based services are structured to be reimbursable.   Trainer Ashley Fortier, PsyD Dr. Ashley Fortier is a Psychologist Candidate in Colorado and currently serves as a Technical Assistance Lead within the Behavioral Health Program at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). She works with various stakeholders across states and organizations in the West to further behavioral health program development and workforce initiatives. Her professional mission is to increase behavioral health care accessibility, effectiveness, and capacity in rural and frontier regions. She collaborates on a variety of research projects and publications in the areas of rural behavioral health, trauma-informed care, child and adolescent suicidology, and innovations in psychology practice. Much of Dr. Fortier’s clinical experiences focused on delivering mental health care to survivors of trauma and abuse, patients with severe and persistent mental illness, incarcerated juveniles and adults, and those experiencing acute behavioral health crises. Dr. Fortier received her B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst as well as her M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles.   

This 3-part series provides a detailed understanding of trauma and the various types trauma individuals experience. Sessions will explore the impact of secondary/vicarous trauma on corrections staff by examining the various ways exposure to traumatic events impacts the individual, the work they do, and the individuals they engage with on a daily basis. This series also explores what is needed to establish a trauma-informed organization, the impact of stigma and bias, and finishes with the interplay of two groups of trauma survivors - corrections staff, inmates, and/or parole/probation supervisees - and strategies to mitigate or reduce trauma activation potential among staff and those they supervise for more successful overall outcomes.   Session 2 will discuss the impact of dual trauma survivors (officers and inmates), understanding the power differential and toxic stress, and how trauma interplays between inmates and officers to increase the tension and challenges of life within jail or prison, as well as probation and parole. Explores strategies to shift the interactions between corrections deputies and parole/probation officers and the supervisees under their purview from adversarial to collaborative. Presenters: Emil Caron, and Steven Samra, MPA, C4 Innovations.   Learn More about this series.   If you would like accommodations to participate in any of our events, please contact us at [email protected].