Offering continuing education (CE) and specialized training as a benefit for behavioral and mental health therapists and counselors can be a huge retention booster. And sharing these CE opportunities and your reimbursement rates with your prospective employees can help attract top BH & MH talent as well.
Here are some high-value trainings that I know your clinicians would appreciate. On each, I’ve provided links to information about that modality or skill, or a credible training provider. Hope you’ll find the list helpful!
1. Clinical Skills & Evidence-Based Modalities
- Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) – Helps therapists work with trauma survivors effectively.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Great for working with clients with emotional dysregulation (borderline personality disorder, self-harm).
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) – Essential for treating anxiety, depression, and OCD.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Excellent for treating addiction and empowering behavior change.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – Popular for PTSD and trauma recovery.
2. Crisis & Risk Management
- Suicide Risk Assessment & Crisis Intervention – Essential for clinicians handling high-risk populations.
- Mandated Reporting & Ethical Decision-Making – Ensures compliance with state laws and ethical standards.
- De-escalation Training – Helps in settings where clients may be volatile or distressed.
3. Specialized Populations
- LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy – Culturally competent care for LGBTQ+ clients.
- Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy – Training on working with autistic clients, ADHD, and sensory differences.
- Culturally Responsive Counseling – Addresses racial and cultural considerations in therapy.
- Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders – Training on treating dual-diagnosis clients.
4. Leadership & Professional Growth
- Supervision & Leadership Training – For clinicians moving into supervisor or director roles.
- Building a Private Practice & Business of Therapy – Helps therapists understand insurance billing, marketing, and running a practice.
- Grant Writing & Nonprofit Development – Valuable for therapists in community mental health or nonprofits.
5. Self-Care & Therapist Wellness
- Burnout Prevention & Secondary Trauma Training – Essential in high-stress settings.
- Mindfulness & Meditation for Therapists – Helps prevent compassion fatigue. For actionable pointers your team can use now, check out a recent blog from my colleague Shannon Chambers.
Bonus: Certifications That Add Value
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
- Certified Sex Offender Treatment Provider (CASOMB)
- Certified Grief Counseling Specialist or Certified Grief Counselor (CGCS-CA or GC-C)
- Board-Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) – Important in remote therapy settings.
Would you like help finding CEU providers or free training resources for some of these? Or are you ready for help with your staffing? Reach out to us today using our contact form or give us a call 415-773-0333.
