2023 Clinical Mental Health Counseling Symposium

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master of Science program will be hosting a Mental Health Webinar on: "Changing Communities through Compassionate Counseling of Children and Youth Program" on Thursday March 2, 2023 from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. EST (4 CE hours).

The most up-to-date conference information can be found on this webinar webpage at: www.molloy.edu/ce/mhc. 

Program Description and Learning Objectives
The program will be offered in two parts:

Part 1:  Using Reality Therapy to Support At-Risk Youth and Families in Under-Resourced Communities: A Deeper Dive

The theoretical underpinnings of Reality Therapy are explained and applied to a specific population with the intention of ensuring ethical and equitable application. The five basic genetic needs are discussed in detail including the potential consequences of unmet needs. Finally, strategies for implementation are provided.

Learning objectives include:

• Participants will be able to describe the characteristics of Choice Theory
• Participants will be able to identify inequities in counseling practice
• Participants will be able to explain the five basic genetic needs identified in Reality Therapy
• Participants will be able to apply 3 Reality Therapy strategies in counseling  

Part 2:  Providing Culturally Responsive Care to LGBTQ Youth and Families

This session is intended for academic staff, students, field site supervisors and others as work to provide services to LGBTQ youth.  The presentation includes an introduction to key terms and concepts (such as gender identity and sexual orientation), treatment considerations for clinical work, and addressing the specific needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth.

Learning objectives include:

• Recall two (2) factors that might contribute to substance use among LGBTQ youth, transitional age youth (TAY), and adults.
• Recognize two (2) health issues/behaviors for which LGBTQ clients have a higher risk.
• Identify two (2) specific strategies to implement to address clinical concerns and create affirming environments for LGBTQ youth and TAY.

About Our Speakers: 

Dr. Ebony White is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Counseling and Family Therapy and the Interim Director of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11^th Street Family Health Services. Dr. White teaches a variety of courses such as multicultural counseling, cognitive behavioral counseling, and family focused interventions through a social justice framework. As the Executive Director of the Center for Mastering and Refining Children’s Unique Skills (MARCUS), a non-profit organization, she focuses on expanding developmental pathways for at-promise adolescents in Trenton, NJ through counseling and social support.  Clinically she focuses primarily on issues that impact the relationships and functioning of African Americans, primarily women and teens. She also provides multicultural and mental health training for law enforcement, religious leaders, educators, and community members.

Thomas E. Freese received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 1995.  He is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Co-Director of the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), and Co-Director of the Pacific Southwest (HHS Region 9) Addictions Technology Transfer Center (PSATTC), funded by SAMHSA. Fomerly, Dr. Freese served as ISAP Director of Training for 20 years where he conducted trainings on a wide variety of Mental Health and Substance Misuse topics. Dr. Freese has been a featured presenter at conferences and meetings, and has developed and conducted trainings across the US and internationally.

Online Zoom Information 
This program will be conducted as a "live" online course using Zoom. It will be held on the same date and times as indicated above.   You will be able to take the programs using any type of device that has internet access: PC, Mac, tablet, even a smartphone.   You will receive the Zoom link to join the program via email within a week of the date of the programs.   If you are not familiar with Zoom please visit the following webpage prior to the course start date on "Joining a Zoom Meeting" at:  https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193. More detailed information on Zoom can be found on the following link: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206175806

*Fee and Program Support
This program is offered at no charge and is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $9,998,383.00 under award number 1 UK8HP42519‐01‐00, with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.


Continuing Education Credit:

Continuing Education Credit Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs)
Molloy University, Division of Continuing Education & Professional Development is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0052. This program is approved for four (4) CE contact hour for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs). Further information on the requirements can be found on the following NY State webpage: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/

Questions?
If you have questions regarding the program, please contact  Laura Kestemberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 516.323.3842 lkestemberg@molloy.edu.