Human Rights Officer
This program meets the state of Rhode Island’s behavioral healthcare facility licensing requirement for Human Rights Officer Training. Participants will be provided an overview of the roles, responsibilities and processes related to client rights regulations in RI. Training Goals include:(a) learning the RI state policies governing Human Rights for Substance Abuse and mental Health Clients; (b) defining the roles and responsibilities of the Human Rights Officer (HRO) in a CBO serving MH/SA clients; (c) learning the State recommended client grievance process; (d) understanding human rights; (e) developing a plan to implement or enhance an HRO process in the participant’s organization.
Date/Time: January 16, 2026 from 9:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Ruby Nicholson, RHIT
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Description:
This workshop will provide participants with a thorough review of the history of medication-assisted treatment. Participants will be able to examine the neuro-biology of opioid dependence, current trends and affected demographics. The training will also provide a discussion on current trends regarding illicit substances and emerging adulterants at the street level.
Date/Time: February 11, 2026 10:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Linda Hurley, MA
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Motivational Interviewing for Productive Partnerships
Description:
When change is difficult, we need to deliberately communicate, connect and collaborate in effective ways. MI offers an evidence-based, grounded approach to conversations about next steps, as well as a specific clinical skill set that create effective interventions. Focused on identifying and cultivating personal motivation, MI conversations are fertile ground where solutions arise and positive outcomes become more likely.
This highly interactive course focuses on achieving the “you get me” feeling of partnership. We’ll look at obstacles to that and how strong reflection skills can set you up for success, boots-on-the-ground skills that will make an immediate difference in your work. This is the appropriate class for beginners and for practitioners at any level who want to reexamine their skills and use them in a more confident and nuanced way.
Date/Time: February 24, 2026 10:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Lisabeth Bennett, BA, CTTS-M
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Psychology and Criminal Justice
Description:This introductory training will provide participants with an overview of the intersection between psychology and criminal justice and is ideal for both beginners and seasoned professionals looking for a review. Psychology factors influence why people begin to engage in criminal behavior, how they respond to rehabilitation efforts, and why they may re-offend. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of major theories of criminal behavior, criminogenic needs and risk factors, and the Risk-Need-Responsivity Principle.
Date/Time: February 27, 2026 9:00am-11:00am ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Kelly Jones, LMHC, LCDP
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Vaping: Evidence, Risks, and Clinical Implications for Health Care and Allied Health Professionals
This presentation is being co-sponsored by the New England Addiction Technology and Transfer Center (ATTC) and will provide a comprehensive overview of vaping for health care and allied health professionals. It explores the structure and function of vaping devices, the composition of e-liquids, and current patterns of use across different populations. The session examines the short- and long-term health effects associated with vaping, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological risks, as well as vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). It also discusses the role of vaping in tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation, and offers practical approaches for patient screening, education, and counseling.
Date/Time: February 4, 2026 from 11:00am-12:30pm ET
CE Credits: 1.5 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Patricia Cioe, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Healing Through Understanding: Core Grief Concepts for Behavioral Health Providers
Description:
This training offers behavioral health professionals a foundational understanding of grief and its impact on emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. Participants will explore key grief models, types of grief responses, and how loss influences mental health and treatment outcomes. Providers will learn to integrate grief-informed approaches into care, and support clients with compassion and clinical competence.
By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to provide empathetic, evidence-based support to individuals and families navigating loss and change.
Date/Time: March 6, 2026 12:00pm-1:30pm ET
CE Credits: 1.5 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Marsha Ireland MA, LMHC‑A
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Assessment and Treatment of Suicidality vs. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
Description:
This training will provide an overview of the nature of suicidality vs. non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Assessment and treatment strategies for suicidality and NSSI will be identified and reviewed. This training will utilize PowerPoint discussion, and case studies
Date/Time: March 11, 2026 9:00am-11:00am ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Prachi Kene, Ph.D.
Location: Zoom/Virtual
CBT for Justice Involved Clients
Description:This training is designed for participants who have a fundamental understanding of the basic concepts and techniques of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Participants will identify common attributes of Justice-Involved Clients and become familiar with criminal thinking errors and cognitive distortions. Practical strategies for the application of CBT through cognitive restructuring, behavioral intervention, and skills training will be reviewed. Participants will explore the impact of CBT on decision-making, risk management, and recidivism.
Date/Time: March 27, 2026 9:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Kelly Jones, LMHC, LCDP
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Artificial Intelligence in the Behavioral Health Professions—Ethical and Risk Management Issues
Description:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in the behavioral health professions. AI is being used to conduct client risk assessments; assist people in crisis; provide resources; strengthen prevention efforts; document clinical services; identify systemic biases in the delivery of behavioral health services, including substance use disorders treatment; provide education and supervision; and predict practitioner burnout and service outcomes, among other uses.
This training will examine cutting-edge ethical issues related to behavioral health practitioners’ use of AI; apply relevant ethical standards; and outline key elements of a strategy for practitioners’ ethical use of AI. Dr. Frederic Reamer will examine ethical issues and risks related to informed consent and client autonomy; privacy and confidentiality; transparency; potential client misdiagnosis; client abandonment; client surveillance; plagiarism, dishonesty, fraud, and misrepresentation; algorithmic bias and unfairness; and use of evidence-based AI tools.
Date/Time: April 10, 2026 9:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Frederic Reamer, PhD.
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Justice Involved Clients
Description:
This training will provide an introduction to best practices for the treatment of Justice Involved-Clients who experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Participants will discuss the unique needs of this population and identify common barriers to treatment success. The importance of collaborative, integrated care and advocacy will be explored. Participants will learn how to apply principles of Motivational Interviewing and trauma-informed care while working alongside the complex requirements of the criminal justice system.
Date/Time: April 17, 2026 9:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Kelly Jones, LMHC, LCDP
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Healing the Whole Person: Integrating Trauma Therapy with Substance Use Recovery
Description:
This training explores the integration of trauma-informed approaches within addiction treatment settings. Participants will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of co-occurring trauma and substance use. They will gain knowledge of best practices for assessment and evidence-based interventions. Participants will gain insight into common implementation barriers such as organizational limitations and workforce readiness. Designed for clinicians, case managers, and program administrators, this workshop equips providers with the tools and frameworks necessary to deliver safe, effective, and integrated care.
Date/Time: April 21, 2026, 2026 9:00am-10:30am ET
CE Credits: 1.5 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Nicole Weiss, PhD.
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Providing Transgender Affirming Therapy Using Pre-Existing Clinical Strengths
Description:
Participants in this training will learn how to create therapeutic spaces that are more inclusive and welcoming of transgender and gender non-conforming clients, from intake procedures over the phone to the therapy itself. This training is about building awareness and empathy for the challenges related to transgender identity with a focus on how this might affect someone’s engagement and access to therapy.
Date/Time: April 29, 2026, 2026 12:00pm-2:00pm ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Francis Tierney, CSE
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Trauma Informed Care for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Description:Participants will explore how individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly Autism, experience and respond to trauma in unique ways. Participants will learn about specific expressions of trauma for people with developmental disabilities that are affected by sensory and communication differences. We will apply trauma informed principles and pre-existing clinical skills to learn how to better support participants in clinical spaces.
Date/Time: May 13, 2026, 2026 12:00pm-2:00pm ET
CE Credits: 2.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Francis Tierney, CSE
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Breaking Barriers: Coordinating Care in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Description:Compassionate, coordinated care is essential to supporting individuals on their recovery
journey. This training focuses on identifying and addressing the barriers that limit access to
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and explores how evidence-based, person-centered
strategies can create more seamless and supportive systems of care.
Participants will gain insight into the complex social, structural, and clinical challenges that affect
MAT engagement, including stigma, access inequities, and gaps in communication between
providers. Through interactive learning and case-based discussion, attendees will learn how to:
● Apply trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches to MAT care.
● Strengthen coordination between medical, behavioral health, and social service
providers.
● Implement evidence-based practices that enhance treatment retention and outcomes.
● Build compassionate, collaborative relationships that empower individuals in recovery.
By the end of this session, participants will be equipped with practical tools and compassionate
strategies to break down barriers, improve access, and deliver integrated, evidence-based care
within MAT programs.
Date/Time: May 18, 2026, 11:00am-2:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainers: Tori Lynn Panzarella, LMHC, LCDP, CADC II; Megan Cordeiro, LMHC, LCDP, CADC II
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Ethical and Liability Issues
Description:
This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of ethical and liability issues related to substance abuse treatment and intervention. Ethical and liability issues will be reviewed concerning work with individuals, families and groups. Program topics will include: confidentiality and privacy, boundaries and dual relationships, conflicts of interest, negligent intervention, use of technology and social media, impaired professionals, consultation, supervision, client records and termination of treatment. Emphasis will be on strategies for preventing ethical dilemmas and liability risks. Curriculum meets chemical dependency certification.
Date/Time: May 29, 2026 9:00am-12:00pm ET
CE Credits: 3.0 (SW, CD, & MHC)
Trainer: Frederic Reamer, PhD.
Location: Zoom/Virtual
Location:Unless specified, all trainings are held virtually on Zoom.
Certificates:Please allow 5-7 business days to receive your certificate via email. We use the email you registered with unless otherwise specified.
Fees:We utilize PayPal for individual transactions. For participants working at the same organization, if the group is five (5) or more, you have the option to mail a check to SUMHLC (15 Messenger Dr. 1st Floor. Warwick, RI 02888 Attention: Training)
Cancellations/Refunds:We require 48 hours notice for cancellations/refunds* To refund a transaction, please email selanani@sumhlc.org.
Questions:Please contact selanani@sumhlc.org