Envision Counseling Associates LLC to Host Training in August and September

Are you looking for CEU's? 
We are planning ahead so you can plan ahead.

Envision Counseling Associates LLC offers continuing education training for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors (LMFTs) and Certified Behavioral Health Case Managers (CBHCMs). We expect to add to this list soon.  please feel free to forward your suggestions. The trainings are designed to promote intellectually stimulating discussion and provide interactive opportunities for shared learning. We do not pretend to think the trainings we host are for everyone, nor do we expect anyone to exclusively attend our training programs. We do believe what we offer is different and many of our past participants agree. 

We have scheduled four trainings during the month of August and three in September. The most up to date information about our trainings is at www.EnvisionOK.com.  You can find our currently scheduled trainings as well as past trainings on our calendar. If you see a training topic you would like us to offer again, let us know and we will consider adding it. 

Trainings scheduled in August: 

08/09/2013, 9:00-12:00. Treating Substance Dependent & Co-occurring Individuals: Using games and play in treatment. For information and to register go to:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GamesAndPlay080913

08/09/2013, 1:30-4:30. Treating Substance Dependent & Co-occurring Individuals: Art Therapy Applications. For information and to register go to:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ArtTherapyApplications080913

08/23/2013, 9:00-12:00.  Case Management with Substance Dependent & Co-occurring Individuals: Job Search and Résumé Writing.  For information and to register go to:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CaseManagement082313.

08/23/2013, 1:30-4:30 Working with Substance Dependent & Co-occurring Individuals: Using Genograms Effectively. For information and to register go to:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Genograms082313

Trainings scheduled in September: 

09/06/13, 9:00-12:00.  Realities of Ethics and Supervision:  Applications in Our Daily Environment For information and to register go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EthicsandSupervision090613


09/06/13, 1:30-4:30 Ethics in the Digital Age. For information and to register go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EthicsInTheDigitalAge090613

09/20/2013, 9:00 - 4:30 DSM 5: What Changes are in the Manual and What do the Changes REALLY Mean?   For information and to register go to:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ChangestoDSM5092013

Location:  Envision Counseling Associates LLC, 1005 N Flood, suite 137, Norman, OK 

For more information and to register for our Associate Membership Program please go to:  http://www.envisionok.com/amp.html     Our Associate Membership Program is a way for you to make paying for training more manageable and more cost effective by allowing you to spread the payment out over the year at $35/month or pay an annual payment of $360 that further saves you money. You then have the benefit of attending up to 21 hours of training (a $525 value) with us but the cost to you can be as low as $51.43 for a 3 hour training. An additional member benefit is a free business card type ad on our website with a click through to your website.  

Why do we attend Continuing Education Programs?

While pondering this question I came up with this list:

To improve on current skills and knowledge. We gain considerable knowledge through education and through experience that knowledge is either reinforced or challenged.  By attending training we can further refine what we know (or think we know) to improve our professional abilities.

To meet state or employer minimum employment requirements. Some jobs have specific training requirements imposed by the employer or a state oversight organization.  For example, we were required to complete ASI and ASAM training prior to administering these tools.

To improve your professional skills vital to success in your field.  Whether we are wanting to expand our skills to increase our client base, learn a new technique to better care for our current clients, or meet new employment requirements, there always seems to be a new program, technique or curriculum to meet our clients needs.

To receive up-to-the-minute training for our field of expertise and update ourselves on the latest research.  It seems researchers study everything.  The number of organizations conducting the research and periodicals reporting the results provide a mountain of documents detailing information about the new discoveries and updates to old concepts. Often conferences and trainings provide opportunities to learn first hand the newest information about some of the research outcomes.

To meet state credentialing board minimum requirements each year.  These requirements evoke a variety of reactions. Some people perceive the requirements as a hassle to be met with as little effort and expense as possible and often postpone until the last moment. Some people look at the training as an opportunity to get out of the office and away from work stressors. Some employers value the training and agree to pay for employee training. Some employers provide the training to their employees in house and expect their staff to attend those trainings or pay for the training on their own. Some perceive the requirement as an incentive to stay current in their field and appreciate the push to attend training.  Some have discovered a favorite conference and will attend every year.

To meet or catch up with other professionals. For some attending a favorite conference is an opportunity to reconnect with friends or make new connections in our field.  The social aspect is the focus and attending the required training is endured.

For intellectual stimulation.  For some attending training is an opportunity to discuss a relevant topic, technique, perspective or theory with colleagues with the hope of gaining a new perspective or understanding of complex issues or perplexing clients.

To prepare for licensure and examinations.  In addition to trainings designed to keep one current regarding professional advancements, there are benchmark activities required to gain recognition of "expertise." This can include state or national examinations.  To assist in preparing for these exams, books have been written and trainings have been developed.

Does it really matter where we go for training?

Just as there are a variety of reasons to attend continuing education, there is a wide variety of training formats.  Some formats are more suitable than others depending on the attendee's goals.

The large group settings are suitable when the goal is to disseminate a great deal of information such as research, provide updates to assessment tools, or to introduce a new theory or technique but does not tend to encourage discussion. Some presenters will attempt to overcome this in the large group by dividing participants in smaller groups to help them feel more comfortable talking or practicing a new technique. At best a few people will feel comfortable asking questions of the presenter.  A medium sized group (about 30 - 50) is more ideal for training participants to learn and practice a new technique or tool.  A small group (less than 30) tends to promote intellectually stimulating discussion between participants and draws on the knowledge and experiences of the participants as well as the presenter.

Introducing The Envision Counseling Associate Membership Program.

Envision Counseling Associates LLC offers continuing education training for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors (LMFTs) and Certified Behavioral Health Case Managers (CBHCMs).  The trainings are designed to promote intellectually stimulating discussion and provide interactive opportunities for shared learning.  We do not pretend to think the trainings we host are for everyone, nor do we expect anyone to exclusively attend our training programs.  We do believe what we offer is different and many of our past participants agree.

To make it easier to afford our training we are offering an Associate Membership Program.

For only $35/month or $360/year (if paid annually)

Benefits of membership:
Up to 21 hours/year of free CEUs ($525 value)
Additional hours @ 1/2 full price ($12.50/hour value)
Free ad on our website with click through link to your website or your Facebook page for one year. (You provide a business card sized picture.) ($120 value)
25% Discount with BLR Designs towards developing your personal web page.
More Discounts to be added when available.

Go to: www.EnvisionOK.com  for more details.

One Article, Two Email Conversations and a Three Hour Training

I read an interesting article a week ago about a mental health provider experiencing burnout which he attributed to a lack of adequate training beyond the theory taught in graduate school. He blamed the organizations he worked for and "the system" because they did not provide adequate training.   I reflected on my own experiences and came to a different conclusion for myself.

I felt equipped to provide counseling due to the in-class experience with applying therapy techniques/theory on our classmates as well as in multiple practicums and internships. Even so, the training is minimal. We learned a little about a variety of theories. I do agree that real life counseling/therapy is different than what I was taught in school.

Not all work experiences are equal and much of what we do on the job is learned on the job.  This is why we are required to spend about 2 years under the supervision of an experienced licensed counselor/therapist often in addition to a work/clinical supervisor.  Additionally we are required to attend a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education each year.

The first email that really spoke to me was from Terry Parker with War Horse Ranch in Oklahoma.  He is starting a new treatment center that provides Experiential Therapy provided to Soldiers/Veterans for PTSD and substance abuse combined with rescuing a horse and dog. His goal is to provide training and treatment in ranch style setting that is relaxing, family oriented & specialized for our Nation's Heroes. The brief conversation we had centered on the treatment program this organization will provide it's participants.    So often I come across well meaning organizations with a vision that appears on the surface to be a great solution to treating mental health and/or substance dependence only to find it is solely based on work, or worship, or medication.  It appears to me this model will be effective as well as unique.  I applaud his vision and look forward to following his journey.

The second email was a request for help.  One of my peers needed a specific type of training.  As I mulled over what I could do to help her, I reflected again on the article I mentioned above.  The article discusses several issues important to our effectiveness as counselors.  Many of my greatest opportunities to learn came from thoughtful discussions with other Counselors about challenges we face day to day.

I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the following questions with fellow Counselors.  What is the reality of working as a therapist? Who is responsible for making sure we are equipped to do our work? What challenges face us in meeting the therapeutic, ethical, legal and moral aspects of our work with clients?  These and more discussions are the focus of the training on July 12, 2013. Join us for an interesting conversation about this topic.  For more information and to register go to www.envisionok.com.