Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-II
Friday, November 22, 2024 – In-person
9:30 am – 4 pm
5 CECs

Registration Fee: $125
UConn SSW Alumni and Current Field Instructors receive a 10% discount

Classroom location, directions and parking details will be included in your email confirmation

Although a large component of the daily work of social workers is to diagnose psychiatric illnesses, there is little education on how to do that well. There is a wealth of knowledge about each disorder, but there is a lack of training on what questions to ask a client in order to properly develop a thorough and accurate diagnosis. This seminar teaches how to differentially diagnose using specific questions and provides decision trees that clinicians can use in clinical sessions. Clinical diagnosis may seem safe from cultural, political, and social influence, but in fact, it is often guided by these forces. Whether a condition is considered a disorder is based in social and political context, and certainly, what questions we ask in the psychiatric interview is culturally influenced. If one were to examine diagnostic material across decades, the fluctuations in diagnostic material would be easy to detect and correlate with changes in cultural, social, and political climates. This seminar topic connects to diversity in allowing for individuality in diagnosis and attending to the diverse background of each client as a part of the diagnosis process.

The goal of this in-person seminar is to help the clinician improve the diagnostic skills they use in their daily practice. Decision trees given in the DSM are updated and expanded to better serve the clinician. Participants will receive handouts of decision trees to take with them.

Using lecture, discussion, and simulated clinical interviews, this seminar will enable you to:

• learn the art of diagnosis
• gather specific questions that will aid you in obtaining the most accurate diagnosis with each client
• practice the clinical interview, asking learned questions to aid in differential diagnosis
• obtain decision tree handouts of each disorder group to use in the clinical interview

Rachel West-Balling, MSW
Saturday, March 2, 2024
In-person
9:30 am – 4:00 pm
5 CECs

Location: UConn Hartford Times Building, Room 220, 10 Prospect St, Hartford, CT – use Front St entrance
Directions will be included in your confirmation email

Registration Fee: $125
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Group Work in the school setting serves as a dynamic platform for students to develop essential and social emotional skills. Using a Group Work model creates a space where students can connect, share, and support one another, foster a sense of belonging, and reduce feelings of isolation. Group interventions can address various challenges students may face, including behavioral issues and academic stress. By providing targeted support, school social workers can contribute to a more positive and conducive learning environment.

This workshop will highlight ways in which group work can enhance social and emotional well-being, foster a sense of community, and contribute to overall academic success. Through interactive activities and shared experiences, participants will explore how group interventions provide a structured yet flexible environment for fostering empathy, communication, and conflict resolution skills

Participants in this seminar will:

• explore the connection between group work and positive behavioral outcomes, academic improvement, and emotional resilience
• learn how group interventions can address challenges students may face, including behavioral issues and academic stress
• discover how to maximize your impact by efficiently addressing the needs of multiple students within a group setting and making your services more accessible to a larger student population
• explore the role of group work in promoting cultural competence and inclusivity by fostering an environment where every student feels valued and understood

Solandy Forte, PhD, LCSW, BCBA-D

Dr. Forte is an approved ACE provider and is authorized by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to provide Learning CE events for BCBA and BCaBA certificants.

Monday, March 25, 2024
11 am – 1 pm

2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

In this webinar the presenter will review the most effective antecedent and management strategies that are support by evidence to deal with challenging behavior. Discussions will be had regarding barriers that may prevent treatment teams from carrying out what “on paper” looks like a good plan. Establishing training objectives, timelines, and methods will be reviewed to promote treatment fidelity. If external resources are needed how treatment teams advocate for support will make a difference in the execution of a comprehensive plan for complex cases.

Participants will learn to:

• identify evidence-based interventions
• learn how to establish data tracking systems
• set up treatment fidelity checks

Solandy Forte, PhD, LCSW, BCBA-D

Dr. Forte is an approved ACE provider and is authorized by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to provide Learning CE events for BCBA and BCaBA certificants.

Monday, March 4, 2024
11 am – 1 pm

2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

Gathering the most relevant information from your clinical interview is critical. Information gathered will help to determine your steps when conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). We will discuss the importance of setting events and how they contribute to understanding behavior function. There are structured and semi-structured tools that can be used to guide clinicians through the interview process. The pros and cons of each will be reviewed.

Participants will learn to:

• define and identify setting events
• use a semi-structured assessment tool
• define the purpose of a clinical interview

Solandy Forte, PhD, LCSW, BCBA-D

Dr. Forte is an approved ACE provider and is authorized by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to provide Learning CE events for BCBA and BCaBA certificants.

Mon, March 11, 2024
11 am – 1 pm

2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

The clinical interview will help to structure when and how you will conduct your direct observations. Identifying the most useful data collection method(s) for your particular assessment case can be a bit overwhelming particularly if time is not on your side. Choosing the appropriate data collection method is critical in order to capture data in real-time that is representative of what is occurring most of the time when you most likely are not present. It is important not to rely on just one data collection method or capturing one dimension of behavior. The observer must rely on multiple data sources.

Participants will learn to:

• use the information they have gathered from clinical interviews to identify the most appropriate settings/times to observe
• identify what dimensions or type of data must be collected
• collect Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence data

Solandy Forte, PhD, LCSW, BCBA-D

Dr. Forte is an approved ACE provider and is authorized by the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB) to provide Learning CE events for BCBA and BCaBA certificants.

Monday, March 18, 2024
11 am – 1 pm

2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

Data. Data. And more data. It all must be analyzed and analyzed well. The clinician must take every single piece of data collected and interpret it in order to confidently identify the function(s) of behavior. The information gathered through the collection data may or may not support your original hypothesis but will definitely inform treatment. You have gathered the information you need to make treatment recommendations, now learn how to put it all together.

Participants will learn to:

• interpret data collected
• identify functions of behavior
• formulate function-based recommendations

This program provides at least 1 hour of content on cultural competence.

Sarah A. Gilbert, LCSW

Thurs, February 22, 2024
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
4 CECs

Registration Fee: $100
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

The goal of this webinar is to increase participants’ cultural competence in serving gender diverse clients by gaining a greater understanding of the unique micro and macro issues this population experiences. Sarah Gilbert LCSW, founder of Transitions Therapy LLC; will share her practice experience and passion for creating more trans-affirming clinical spaces for trans and gender-questioning teens, adults, and the people who love them.

Ample time will be provided for questions and answers.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand gender identity, expression as existing on spectrum rather than a binary
• Clarity on diagnostic DSM 5 Diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria for kids, adults
• Understanding the concepts of cisnormativity and implicit bias as they pertain to personal, societal challenges including barriers to treatment and access to resources
• Exploration of transition options and our role as providers in supporting clients through the options

Approved by the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) for Alcohol and Drug Counselors

William C. Gilbert, PhD, MSW, LCSW, AADC
Saturday, February 3, 2024
Webinar
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Field Instructors

Link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

Those suffering from substance use disorders can face many obstacles in achieving and maintaining recovery. As advocates for those in recovery, we know that such obstacles can delay or prevent a person from meeting their recovery goals. In response to this problem, recent research has explored those factors that support recovery. Using the concept of “Recovery Capital,” Dr. Gilbert will present findings of his research on the relevance of social support, twelve step meeting participation, and spirituality as factors that foster recovery. He will also discuss how his findings can be applied to assist programs that serve people with substance use disorders.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

• define the concept of “Recovery Capital”
• demonstrate an understanding of those factors that contribute to maintaining recovery
• formulate a plan to apply the findings presented to assist their clients

Christopher Morse, LICSW, MVF-ASW  Readjustment Counselor, Providence Vet Center
Saturday, February 8, 2025
10 am – 12 pm

2 CECs – This webinar provides 2 hours of content on practice with Veterans

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Webinar link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

While the U.S. is seeing increased attention paid to the mental health, substance abuse, and suicide issues within the military and veteran communities, there is also increased concern about our nation’s capacity to provide the services needed. More and more veterans are obtaining mental health care in the civilian sector, but frequently community clinicians have a limited understanding of military and veteran culture.  To assist in developing a therapeutic rapport with veterans and service members, trainer Chris Morse LICSW, MVF-ASW, has drawn on his own military and clinical experience to develop this webinar. Chris will provide clinicians with an overview of military culture, norms, and mores and explore how military life and the combat environment may shape the presentation of the client throughout treatment.

This webinar will:

• provide a brief overview of military culture and cultural components
• examine how military service may later affect a veteran’s future interactions
• identify aspects of military culture that may influence the presentation of the client