Training Series

Join us for our Children’s Mental Health Training Series – continuing education designed for those who work with or care for infants, children and youth. Upcoming workshop topics include DSM-5 TR updates, supporting queer & trans youth, discovering strengths-based trauma-informed youth development, and more. New webinars are added regularly.

Not able to join us live? No problem. Each webinar will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch for 45 days following the live session.

Upcoming Trainings


Recordings Available

Headshot of Iggy Gehlen, a smiling man with short red hair and black square-frame glasses, wearing a black polo shirtRegister Here

Expires April 15, 2024 | 3 CEHs | $45 | Recorded Webinar | Cultural Competency Content | Clinical Content | Ethics Content

This webinar is approved for 1.5 hours of cultural competency content, 1 hour of ethics content, and .5 hours of clinical content.

Description: Minnesota is portrayed as a friendly place and a refuge as legislation passed in neighboring states becomes increasingly hostile to queer and trans people. But while legal protections remain strong in Minnesota, workplace practices, soft skills, and social norms still leave a lot to be desired. These gaps in care are even harder to bridge for those with less resources and autonomy, such as young people. This session will provide concrete steps, clear language, and general advice you can use to make your practices, physical space, and policies accessible and welcoming to queer and trans community members.

 

Learning Objectives:

  1. To increase understanding of the cultural and societal experiences of queer and trans people in the United States.
  2. To allow opportunities to examine current perceptions, standards, and practices for interfacing with and caring for queer and trans youth.
  3. To provide tangible actions and skills people can use to increase accessibility and cultural competency of care in organizations and systems.

 

Iggy GehlenMarketing, Communications, & Development Manager; Annex Teen Clinic (not affiliated with this presentation)

Level: Intermediate | For: Education/Health Care/Mental Health/Social Services Professionals, Family Members | Ages Addressed: All Ages, Focused on Teens & Young Adults

 

About the Presenter

Iggy Gehlen (he/him) is a queer and trans man with years of experience in the fields of public health, public policy, and nonprofit management. His expertise lies in strategic planning, equity and access, marketing and communications, and data and evaluation. He hopes to support local organizations and communities by promoting equity and access in all that we do and ensuring everyone who engages with us feels safe, informed, and empowered.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iggy-gehlen/

Headshot of Dr. LaVerne Demientieff, a woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a white collared shirt and green earringsRegister Here

Expires April 19, 2024 | 2 CEHs | $30 | Recorded Webinar | Cultural Competency Content

This webinar is approved for 2 hours of cultural competency content.

 

Description: This presentation will introduce you to the 5C’s of Healing Centered Engagement, which are significant beliefs and practices related to healing and wellness learned from and modeled by Alaska Native Elders. As you do good work in your life and job, consider reflecting on how these 5C’s can impact and support relationships with colleagues, clients, friends, relatives, as well as yourself. Stress and trauma inhibit learning and move us from our thinking brain into our emotional brain, which makes it difficult to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, and connect. When we learn about how stress and trauma impact our mind and body, we are more compassionate with ourselves and others. When we are curious about what causes pain and grief, we can help to create connection and ceremony for healing. Healing happens when we are fully in our bodies and in relationship with others and our community. There are strategies for success we can utilize to create a community of care and feelings of belonging, which allow us to learn and engage together at the highest levels.

Learning Objectives:

  1.  Participants will understand the ways in which toxic stress and unresolved trauma impact relationality and connectedness. 
  2. Participants will learn about and participate in strategies for creating healing-centered engagement within their work and life. 
  3. Participants will recognize how cultural and traditional practices can be utilized today for healing and wellness. 

 

Dr. LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff, LMSW, PhD – Professor, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Department of Social Work

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: All Ages

 

About the Presenter

Dr. LaVerne Xilegg Demientieff is Deg Xit’an (Dene) and her family is originally from Holy Cross and Anvik, Alaska. She grew up in Nenana and Anchorage and now lives in Fairbanks, working as a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bachelor of Social Work program, where she has taught since 2006. She is also a licensed master social worker through the State of Alaska. LaVerne is a statewide trainer on historical trauma and historical wellness, adverse childhood experiences, trauma-informed care, healing-centered engagement, and cultural strength and resilience. She is very active in learning and teaching her Deg Xinag language. She is deeply committed to exploring the connection between language & well-being and practicing compassionate, healing-centered language learning and revitalization. 

LaVerne’s research interests include focusing on how cultural and traditional practices contribute to individual, family, group & community resilience, health, healing, and wellness, specifically with the Indigenous people of Alaska. She works closely with many social service agencies and Tribal organizations in Alaska to support their efforts towards healing-centered engagement within the organization as well as with their clients and communities. She works closely with Elders in research and teaching and is transformed and healed by their compassionate wisdom daily. 

Two quotes from Elders that have inspired and ground her are: “Learning is healing” and “Take care of the old person we are going to become.”

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laverne-xilegg-demientieff/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laverne.demientieff

Headshot of Dr. Adrienne VanZomeren, a woman with long blonde hair wearing a white turtleneck sweater.Register Here

Expires April 27, 2024| 3 CEHs | $45 | Recorded Webinar | Clinical Content

This webinar is approved for 2 hours of clinical content.

 

Description: This presentation will highlight DSM-5-TR changes to diagnostic criteria relevant for youth. It will consider the impact of these changes on clinical practice. It will also explore advantages and disadvantages of our existing diagnostic system and discuss the future of dimensional diagnostic approaches – including proposed evaluation methods and cultural considerations.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand changes to DSM-5-TR relevant for youth.
  2. Identify advantages and disadvantages of the DSM-5-TR diagnostic system.
  3. Locate and use various evaluation methods.

 

Dr. Adrienne VanZomeren, Ph.D., L.P. – Owner & Clinical Psychologist, AVZ Psychology

Level: Basic | For: Education/Mental Health/Healthcare Professionals, Students | Ages Addressed: 6+

 

About the Presenter

Dr. Adrienne VanZomeren, Ph.D., LP, is a clinical psychologist and owner of AVZ Psychology LLC – a private practice focused on diagnostically complex assessment, and evidence-based psychotherapy for teens and young adults with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, and other conditions. She also currently serves part-time as a member of the diagnostics team at Groves Learning Organization. Additionally, she creates and delivers didactic workshops for pre-doctoral psychology interns. Formerly, she taught undergraduate courses at the University of St. Thomas, Century College, and the University of Minnesota and contributed to developmental psychopathology research. She has also served as the content creator and facilitator for a local nonprofit. A former college athlete and biologist, Dr. VanZomeren has also taught yoga and served in various roles outside of clinical psychology throughout her life. Dr. VanZomeren earned her Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota Institute of Child Development and completed her clinical internship at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital. She is deeply committed to collaborative, integrative, and personalized clinical care as well as evidence-based assessment, treatment, and instruction. She views her work as an opportunity to translate information into digestible formats that can have broader impacts on collective mental health. As a first-generation college student born in Detroit, MI, Dr. VanZomeren is a proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion in education and mental health care.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienne-vanzomeren-phd-03b74579/

X: https://twitter.com/adriennevanz

Website: https://www.avzpsychology.com/

 

Headshot of Maria Moua, a woman with long black hair wearing unframed glasses and a long-sleeved floral print blouse.

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Expires February 2, 2025 | 4 CEHs | $60 | On-Demand Webinar | Cultural Competency Content

This webinar is approved for 4 hours of cultural competency content

Description: The Hmong are a growing population in the United States, with approximately 90,000 living in Minnesota. Most have immigrated since the mid-1970s from Southeast Asia to escape the effects of the Vietnam War. Historically, the Hmong people struggle with intergenerational trauma, poverty, and persecution. This workshop is a comprehensive, in-depth assessment of the Hmong American community, their uniqueness as a culture, their societal struggles, and their mental health issues. Furthermore, this course will also invite participants to become multilingual in their ability to treat patients, as they also become more self-aware of their own cultural biases along with the biases of others. This workshop will advocate for cultural humility, recognizing the value in each culture’s strengths, utilizing them in the appropriate opportunities to endorse collaboration across all races, ethnicities and nationalities. Finally, effective and culturally competent applicational strategies will be introduced and discussed.

 

 

Learning Objectives:

  1. To gain an in-depth and comprehensive knowledge and awareness of the unique cultural/societal issues that the Hmong community in the United States has, which also impacts their mental health
  2. To be able to identify strengths in the Hmong community with regards to addressing mental health concerns.
  3. To be able to provide effective and culturally competent strategies in helping the Hmong and their families to appropriately deal with mental health, relational, and societal issues.

Maria Moua, MA, LMFTFounder & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Maria Moua Therapy LLC

Level: Intermediate | For: Mental Health Professionals | Ages Addressed: All

 

About the Presenter

Maria Moua is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is also a certified perinatal/postpartum counselor. As a first-generation American born in the United States and a daughter of Hmong refugee immigrants, she is passionate about working in the community and helping people strive and grow into their best potential. She’s been practicing in the mental health field for over 13 years, with a foundation of her work being in intensive in-home family-systems therapy, multisystemic therapy, and Children’s Crisis. Maria is also the coordinator for the Hmong MFT Support Group. Maria currently runs her private practice, Maria Moua Therapy LLC.

Website: https://mariamouatherapy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085386173990

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Expires January 15, 2025 | 2 CEHs | $30 | On-Demand Webinar | Youth Panelists

This presentation will present information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), address common misunderstandings, and offer practical strategies. Learn how prenatal alcohol exposure impacts brain development, and how you can use this informationto improve outcomes for individuals with FASD. Youth with FASD will also share their personal stories and advice based on their own experiences.

Learning Objectives:

+ Understand how prenatal alcohol exposure impacts brain development.
+ Acquire strategies to help individuals with FASD.
+ Learn approaches from FASD self-advocates with lived experience.

Kendra Gludt, MPH Director of National Programs – Proof Alliance & Marissa Lang, Senior Program Manager – Proof Alliance & Members of the Proof Alliance Youth Panel

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: Early Childhood – Young Adult

About the Presenters

Kendra Gludt, MPH, is the Director of National Programs at Proof Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and supporting all those impacted. In the 16 years that she has worked at Proof Alliance, Kendra has worked with many partnering agencies including clinics, treatment centers, county systems, and social service agencies, helping them change their practices to recognize and respond to FASD. Kendra is currently on the faculty of the SAFEST Choice Learning Collaborative, a HRSA-funded program that aims to reduce prenatal alcohol exposure and improve outcomes for children with FASD.

Marissa Lang has over 20 years working in the field of FASD. She began her career screening adjudicated youth for FASD through a federal grant project at Hennepin County Juvenile Corrections in Minnesota, followed by 18 years at Proof Alliance. In her role as Senior Program Manager at Proof Alliance, she is responsible for the development and implementation of programming for individuals with an FASD, and their families. She is also involved in the public policy work at Proof Alliance to help create long-term systemic change. Marissa is passionate about empowering youth using a strength-based approach and providing families critical skills to support loved ones with an FASD.

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Expires January 1, 2025 | 3 CEHs | $45 | On-Demand Webinar | Clinical Content

This webinar is approved for 2.5 hours of clinical content

Sensory Processing and Mental Health teaches participants the basics of sensory processing differences and how they impact daily functioning. These concepts will be related back to a variety of common mental health diagnoses, life circumstances, and impact on behavior. This presentation will promote understanding of preventative strategies as well as optimize function for children with sensory processing differences and mental health challenges to create a positive and predictable environment. Participants increase their understanding of Winnie Dunn’s theory of sensory processing including eight sensory systems, realistic interventions to promote improvement in daily functioning, and the connection between sensory processing challenges and common mental health disorders. The information in this presentation aims to assist educators in reducing behavioral challenges rooted in sensory processing differences, improving their ability to anticipate the needs of students before behaviors become disruptive to classroom functioning, and build confidence in addressing sensory needs of all students.

Learning Objectives:

+ Understand The Trauma Informed Mindset and How it Relates to Sensory Processing
+ Explore The 4 Sensory Processing Quadrants
+ Explore The 8 Sensory Systems
+ Discover Realistic Interventions
+ Understand Sensory Processing in Relation to Cognition
+ Understand Sensory Processing in Relation to Common Mental Health

Jessica Villery, OTS, OTR/L, Occupational Therapist and Instructional Support Staff – GO! Therapy and University of Minnesota 

Level: Basic | For: Juvenile/Restorative Justice Professionals, Education Professionals, Health Care Professionals, Mental Health Professionals | Ages Addressed: 6 years – Adulthood

About the Presenter

Jess is an occupational therapist who has worked in outpatient pediatrics, school-based practice, and currently in mental health, partial hospitalization and academia. Her areas of specialty include sensory processing differences, trauma informed care, challenging behaviors, mental health, neurodivergence, and program development. She is currently the occupational therapist at PrairieCare Mankato and provides instructional support for professional development and program development courses in the occupational therapy department at University of Minnesota on the Twin Cities and Rochester campuses. In her free time, she enjoys crafting (quilting, stained glass, and crocheting), gardening, spending time with her husband and pets, and spending time with friends.

Deborah Cavitt headshotRegister Here

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Expires October 12, 2024 | 3 CEHs | $45 | On-Demand Webinar | MN Educator License Content

Key Warning Signs of Early Onset Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices meets the state requirements for educator re-licensure. Attendees will learn strategies, interventions, accommodations and modifications to help students flourish emotionally and socially in school settings and in the community. The presenter will describe signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and youth, including developmental differences from infant and early childhood through transition age youth. Resources will be shared to help educators, families and other professionals connect children and youth with appropriate levels of care when needed. A comprehensive school wide toolkit for prevention, intervention and postvention of suicide will be discussed and shared with participants.

Deborah Cavitt, MS, Family Support Program Manager – Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

Level: Basic | For: Educators, parents/caregivers, other professionals working directly with children and youth | Ages addressed: Prenatal through young adult

This workshop meets the state requirements for educator re-licensure.

Deborah Cavitt is an advocate, trainer, and program manager for Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH). Cavitt gives presentations and works on projects with schools, children, youth, parents and professionals to increase understanding and reduce the stigma related to mental health disorders. As a parent coach and advocate, she helps families navigate systems on their journey of raising a child with mental health challenges. Deborah has a master’s degree in human services with specializations in mental health and substance use counseling and a bachelor’s degree in education. Before joining MACMH, she worked as a prevention specialist and grant coordinator for a substance abuse treatment agency in Iowa City. Preceding her mental health and substance use prevention work, she was a teacher for over twenty years, working on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota.

Are these training sessions offered as recordings?
All MACMH Training Series webinars are available as recordings to all registrants for 45 days after the live event.

Where can I get my CEU/CEH?
The CEU/CEH certificate is sent via email after a training event ends, along with the link to recordings. 

I can’t access my CEU/CEH (45+ days after live event)
In order to download your CEU/CEHs, individuals must complete an evaluation on the webinar’s content and presenter. We ask for your feedback this way in order to ensure that we are listening to all voices when planning continuing education content for the years ahead. Please access the webinar evaluation and complete it within 45 days of the webinar’s live date to download your CEU/CEHs. If you miss this 45 day deadline or misplace your CEU certificate, please email info@macmh.org

Which sessions have clinical or supervision content?
On each webinar’s full description, beneath the learning objectives, it states whether or not that webinar includes clinical content.
To quickly check if a webinar provides clinical content, you can go to our Clinical Content event category page.

Where is the zoom link to attend the webinar I registered for?
The link to live zoom events is sent automatically after you register for an event. Please check your spam folder and search through your inbox for the training name.
The link to recordings is sent via email after a training event ends, along with the CEU/CEH certificate.

Can I watch these workshops with my team?
You must have each team member register separately if you would like to share these workshops with your team and have each team member receive a CEH/CEU.

Looking to switch up our training or provide one of our trainings to your team?
We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re into group sessions or want a custom approach, we can blend topics and formats that fit you perfectly. Reach out to Amanda Xiong at axiong@mamch.org, and let’s build the ideal training plan for your team.

Our Training Series is designed to meet continuing education requirements for many disciplines. The following boards have provided CEH approval:

  • MN Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy – LPC, LPCC
  • MN Board of Behavioral Health & Therapy – LADC
  • MN Board of Marriage & Family Therapy
  • MN Board of Social Work
  • MN Board of Psychology

The following boards do not require pre-approved CEHs. CEHs should be approved upon independent submission to your board:

  • MN Board of Education
  • MN Nursing Board
  • ND Board of Social Work

Professionals in other related disciplines, as well as those working outside of Minnesota, can submit CEH certificates to their corresponding boards for independent approval.

A certificate of attendance will be provided to all registered training attendees. Boards may request attendance records at any time. We will track who watched the recording as a live webinar and also for those who watch the recording within 45 days of the live webinar event.

We care about your mental health, and it’s important that our trainings provide a safe, respectful space for our participants and presenters to learn and engage with one another.

Thank you for following our online community chat guidelines and noting our process for addressing harmful comments.

Chat Guidelines

+ Be respectful: Use language that respects people of every culture, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, class, ability and background; avoid profanity and other language that could be offensive

+ Speak from your own experience: Use “I” statements as in “I feel,” “I think” and “I want”

+ Honor privacy: Do not share anyone else’s personal information and keep client information confidential

+ Think before you type: Remember that this webinar and chat thread are being recorded and will be posted online

Addressing Harmful Comments

If a webinar host deems a comment to be inappropriate, harmful or derogatory, the host will send a private message to the attendee. If the harmful comments continue, the attendee may be removed from the Chat function and possibly the webinar.

Level 1/basic: Introductory material and background information is covered. Audience needs no prior knowledge of the topic.

Level 2/intermediate: Material builds on existing knowledge and goes well beyond basics. Audience should have some background knowledge of the topic.

Level 3/advanced: Complex, in-depth concepts or features highlighted; basic and background information will not be covered. Audience should have an intermediate understanding of topic.

How do I know which training events offer cultural competency, supervision, ethics, or clinical content?

If a training event contains specialized content, such as cultural competency/supervision/ethics/clinical content, it will be noted in the description next to the CEH amount. To easily find all trainings with a specific specialization that our Training Series is offering, press the keys “command” or “ctrl” + “F” on your keyboard at the same time and search the type of content you are looking for in the search bar that pops up.

Does MACMH offer any custom training events?

Looking to switch up your training? We’ve got you covered! Whether you’re into group sessions or want a custom approach, we can blend topics and formats that fit you perfectly. Reach out to Amanda Xiong at axiong@mamch.org, and let’s build the ideal training plan for your team.