Association for Mental Health and Wellness Announces an Expanded 2017 Schedule of Continuing Education Workshops

Agency is now accredited to provide training for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselors, Creative Arts Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, and Marriage and Family Therapists as well as Masters in Social Work

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW) has scheduled five Continuing Education workshops designed to strengthen the skills of mental health professionals across Long Island.

Last year, MHAW received certification by the New York State Department of Education to provide Continuing Education credit-hours for Licensed Masters in Social Work (LMSW and LCSW). This year, the state approved four additional categories of professional behavioral health providers: Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC); Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT); Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC); and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).

“Our Board and leadership take pride in helping Suffolk County residents have access to the highest-quality and best-trained behavioral health services available,” said Michael Stoltz, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer of MHAW. “Those seeking mental health care, as well as their families, should always have confidence that they are being assisted by highly qualified professionals using state-of-the-art practices.”

Workshops scheduled at this time include:

• “Addressing the Neuro-biology of Trauma” with Bonnie Owens, Friday, Feb 24, 9:00am-12:00pm
• “Approaches to Healing Anger and Hurt” with Meryl Cassidy, Tuesday, March 7, 9:00am-12:00pm
• “Screening, Diagnosis, and Current Treatment of PTSD, TBI, and Substance Use Disorders” with Frank Dowling, MD, Thursday, March 30, 8:30am-11:30am
• “Postpartum and Perinatal Mood Disorder and the Multiple Roles of the Counselor” with Cheryl Zauderer, Tuesday, May 23, 9:00am-12:00pm
• “Working with Hispanic Immigrant Children and Families” with Vilma Matos, Date and Time TBA

Alexis Rodgers, LMSW, MHAW’s Coordinator of Community Outreach and Education, is developing a calendar of at least 18 workshops this year with input from a full spectrum of local mental health providers. MHAW is also working with the Suffolk County Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services and other behavioral health coalitions, such as the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Long Island, to advance professional development throughout the region on a broad range of relevant topics.

To maintain their State certification, mental health professionals are required to complete a specified minimum number of continuing education credit-hours over a three-year period. Providers may also offer Continuing Education presentations and earn state credits when they do so. Interested parties should contact Ms. Rodgers to develop a workshop.

Mr. Stoltz noted that the Continuing Education workshops are consistent with MHAW’s role as an affiliate of the Mental Health Association of New York State and its national affiliate, Mental Health America.

MHAW offers professional memberships to individuals, group practices, and non-profit agencies. Members are provided a discount on workshop registration fees. For more information, contact Alexis Rodgers at 631-471-7242 x1315, arodgers@mhaw.org or go to http://mhaw.org/get-involved/professional-membership/

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About the Association for Mental Health and Wellness

The Association for Mental Health and Wellness (MHAW), a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Ronkonkoma, NY, provides programs, services, and advocacy for people facing mental health challenges with an enhanced focus on serving military Veterans.

MHAW dates back to 1955 with the incorporation of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County (MHA Suffolk). In 1990, Clubhouse of Suffolk was launched, providing a wide array of vocational rehabilitation services and recovery programs. With the growing need to provide services for Veterans with PTSD and other battle-related brain injuries, Clubhouse merged with MHA Suffolk and Suffolk County United Veterans in 2014 to form the Association for Mental Health and Wellness.

MHAW is committed to the core practice values of empowerment, hope, opportunity, and cultural competence. All of the agency’s direct service workers are trained in the importance of addressing health from trauma-informed and whole person perspectives with enriched understanding of the social and economic conditions that contribute to physical and mental health and substance abuse.