07/25/2024
📢There are thousands of counselors within the state of Virginia. So what sets me apart from others? Extensive trainings that are actually utilized in my sessions!📢
Every year Licensed Professional Counselors must obtain a minimum of 20 hours of continued education credits. A majority of the time, counselors choose to gain those hours by listening to prerecorded webinars or even read articles and answer questions based off their retention. But I went a different route and choose to find niches that I’m passionate about -
I am nationally certified in TF-CBT, trained in EMDR, and trained in Perinatal Mental Health.
✨TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)✨
TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment that has been evaluated and refined during the past 30 years to help children and adolescents recover after trauma. It is a structured, short-term treatment model that effectively improves a range of trauma-related outcomes in 8-25 sessions with the child/adolescent and non-offending caregiver. Although TF-CBT is highly effective at improving youth posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and diagnosis, a PTSD diagnosis is not required in order to receive this treatment.
What does training look like?
*It requires completion of an online pre-recorded training taking approximately 5 hours followed by a test, then a scheduled 2-day LIVE training course with an approved trainer. Once the live training is completed, counselors are able to start using the treatment model in their sessions. However, to ensure the efficacy of the model all counselors are required to obtain 9-12 hours of supervision by an approved trainer. Sometimes counselors stop there, but they can go a step further to pursue a national certification (like me), which requires passing a knowledge-based test on the treatment model and passing with a score of 80% or higher.
✨EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)✨
EMDR is a structured therapy that encourages the client to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. EMDR therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and PTSD symptoms. EMDR therapy is also a helpful treatment for disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, addictions, and other distressing life experiences.
What does training look like?
EMDR Basic Training provides counselors with the knowledge and skills to utilize EMDR therapy, a comprehensive understanding of case conceptualization and treatment planning, and the ability to integrate EMDR therapy into their clinical practice. The training can be completed in-person or virtually and consists of 4 live full day trainings (20 hours of instructional material and 20 hours of supervised practicum) completed within 12 weeks followed by a test. After the training has been completed, counselors must engage in 10 hours of supervision with an approved trainer. Some counselors stop there (like me), but they can go a step further to pursue certification. Certification requires at least 50 EMDR sessions with at least 5 clients, 20 hours of consultation with an EMDR approved consultant, EMDR consultation’s letter of recommendation, letter of recommendation by 2 colleagues, 12 hours of EMDR approved trainings outside of the basic training - plus whatever is required of certification renewal every 2 years.
✨Perinatal Mental Health✨
A specialized training designed for nurses, physicians, social workers, mental health providers, childbirth professionals, social support providers, or anyone interested in learning skills and knowledge for assessment and treatment of perinatal mood disorders.
What does training look like?
Completion of Postpartum Support International’s evidence-based 2-day live in-person or virtual Perinatal Mood Disorders: Components of Care training. Mental Health Professionals can then take the Advanced Perinatal Mental Health Psychotherapy training, a 1-day live or in-person training. To become certified, counselors must take a knowledge-based exam. Once certified, counselors also have to keep up with annual continued education requirements and renewal processes.
