Post-Graduate Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults
For the experienced clinician, the Certificate in Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults provides a deep exploration of the cutting-edge theoretical perspectives of attachment, trauma informed care, and neuroscience, as they relate to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of adults. In addition, participants select three electives in evidence-based treatment modalities for adults, and two electives in treatment focuses for adults, to gain advanced knowledge and deepen their practice in their particular area of expertise.
Target Audience: Intended for the experienced clinician.
Each course is 6 hours in length, offered in one full-day session, and offers 6 CEUs for students who complete the entire course. Qualified students may complete the courses in any order they choose, and may take any course(s) without committing to completing the certificate.
To receive the certificate, students must complete the 3 required courses and 5 electives within 3 years.
Theoretical Perspectives (3 required)
1. Attachment Theory (Course CORE-1)
2. Trauma Informed Care (Course CORE-2)
3. Neuroscience (Course CORE-3)
Adult Treatment Modalities (choose 3)
1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adults (Course ADULT-TM1)
2. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adults (Course ADULT-TM2)
3. Motivational Interviewing for Adults (Course ADULT-TM3)
4. Narrative Therapy for Adults (Course ADULT-TM4)
5. Psychodynamic Therapy for Adults (Course ADULT-TM5)
6. Solution Focused Therapy for Adults (Course ADULT-TM6)
Adult Treatment Focuses (choose 2)
1. Sexuality and Gender Across the Lifespan (Course ADULT-TF1)
2. Substance Use Disorders for Adults (Course ADULT-TF2)
3. Suicide Prevention for Adults (Course ADULT-TF3)
4. Trauma and Interpersonal Violence for Adults (Course ADULT-TF4)
5. Issues Facing Older Adults (Course ADULT-TF5)
Adult
Certificate Information
To receive a certificate, students must complete the three core courses and five electives (three Treatment Modality courses and two Treatment Focus courses), for a total of eight courses. Each certificate program offers 14 course options. The core courses are the same for both certificate programs. A student who completes the core courses for one certificate program need not retake them to complete the other certificate program.
Each core course will be offered at least once per year. In addition, several Treatment Modalities and Treatment Focuses electives for each certificate program will be offered each semester. Students may take up to 3 years to complete the certificate.
Full-day courses will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with an hour lunch break from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Social Work Certificate Courses in
Advanced Clinical Practice - Online
Fridays this Spring
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. ET
Registration deadline: Course registration will close on Tuesday at midnight prior to each Friday course.
- Online participants are required to have a computer with video and audio capability.
- Participants must create a Zoom account in advance according to Boston College security requirements.
- All programs offered online via Zoom will be delivered live and will not be recorded unless stated otherwise.
- These programs have a maximum capacity to allow for participant engagement. Register early to avoid disappointment!
Register
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Molly Magill, PhD, LICSW
Substance Use Disorders for Adults
This course will cover current research and practice guidelines in addictions care. The day-long course is separated into two sections. Section One addresses current etiological thinking with respect to alcohol and other drug use disorders, such as diagnostic, neurological, and bio-psychosocial risk perspectives. The goal of this section is to offer an overview of current thinking regarding the nature of addictive disorders that is applicable to psychoeducational interactions with clients. Section Two addresses evidence-based addictions treatments for adult clients. An overview of modalities will be provided along with experiential exercises representative of each approach. Clinical methods are taught from the perspective that interventions should be tailored to the client’s stage of motivational readiness for change. The course combines lecture, discussion, role play, and video case examples.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn the basic epidemiology of substance use disorders in the United States.
- Participants will learn about three foundation perspectives on substance use etiology (i.e., Neuroscience, Disease Model, Social Learning Theory).
- Participants will discuss and practice core evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders (i.e., Motivational Interviewing, Relapse Prevention).
- Participants will discuss key elements of Twelve-Step Facilitation.
- Participants will learn about three Medication Assisted Therapies for Opioid Use Disorders (i.e., Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone).
Adults
Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults - Treatment Focus Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Kelsey Taylor, LMHC
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children, Youth, and Families
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps children explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they are interconnected. CBT is used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and trauma in children and adolescents. This course provides an orientation and overview of CBT. Learn practical skills for individual, group, and family therapy. Explore interventions focused on problem solving, cognitive restructuring, self-regulation, affect identification, and relaxation. Through case studies, interactive discussions, role-plays, and worksheets, you will take away practical CBT strategies to use immediately with any client.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn to define Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
- Participants will learn to recognize the Cognitive Triangle and Thinking Errors/Cognitive Distortions.
- Participants will identify interventions to target feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
- Participants will identify problem solving techniques.
- Participants will practice skills for relaxation.
CYF
Advanced Clinical Practice for CYF - Treatment Modality Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Daniel Morehead, MD
Neuroscience
Neuroscience constitutes an exciting though vast and disorienting field. This course will synthesize information from primary neuroscience into a coherent and usable form for clinical social work, human social life, and everyday life. We will review brain structure and function, then discuss illuminating aspects of brain science in human development, adversity, resilience, and health. Finally, we will connect specific mental health disorders and treatments to neuropathology, as well as social challenges and inequities. Throughout the course, we will emphasize the brain as one aspect of human nature, a level of dynamic organization that both reflects and influences social and psychological experience, and ultimately cannot be separated from them. No prior knowledge of neuroscience is required, and the class format will be interactive.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn brain anatomy and function for the purposes of understanding relevant clinical literature and neuroscience-based theories.
- Participants will learn the neuroscience and physiology of normal stress and its relation to the development of mental illness.
- Participants will learn the neuroscience of fear and trauma, including the developmental consequences of early life adversity.
- Participants will explore the neuroscience of major depression, PTSD, anxiety, and their treatment.
- Participants will be exposed to the complex and mutual interactions between biological, psychological, and social factors in mental health.
Friday, March 3, 2023 • CYF-TF4: Trauma and Interpersonal Violence for Children, Youth, and Families
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Zane FitzGerald, MSW, LICSW
Trauma and Interpersonal Violence for Children, Youth, and Families
Trauma and traumatic stress stem from a diverse array of experiences, affect individuals in various ways, and often occur in the context of relationships. As such, trauma and traumatic stress resulting from interpersonal violence can be particularly impactful. This course will examine various types of interpersonal violence including war, terrorism and civil unrest, community violence, school violence, and violence in the home (including domestic violence, physical abuse, and sexual abuse). Participants will develop an in-depth understanding of the impact of interpersonal violence on children, youth, and families, and explore intervention and support strategies to promote hope, healing, and resilience. Materials will be presented through lecture, audio and visual vignettes, group activities, and discussion.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will explore the impact of traumatic stress inflicted on individuals by others.
- Participants will explore various forms of interpersonal violence.
- Participants will engage in a variety of intervention strategies.
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Chitra Gopalan, LMHC
Motivational Interviewing for Children, Youth, and Families
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based practice that is broadly used by practitioners. This approach can be used with clients with a variety of mental health, substance use, or physical health disorders. MI interventions involve empathically collaborating with the client to enhance intrinsic motivation for change while understanding, addressing, and resolving ambivalence. This course will review the fundamental principles of MI, highlight the techniques for facilitating change that are associated with this approach, and consider how to most effectively employ MI skills in working with children and their caregivers. The Transtheoretical Model of Change will also be reviewed, as will MI interventions that guide progress through the stage of change. This course includes multiple opportunities to practice skills and techniques that are reviewed, heavily incorporating practice exercises for participants to complete in breakout rooms.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define motivational interviewing (MI).
- Participants will be able to describe the spirit and the principles of MI.
- Participants will identify the Stages of Change.
- Participants will recognize and elicit change talk in clients.
- Participants will identify MI core skills and tools.
CYF
Advanced Clinical Practice for CYF - Treatment Modality Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructors: Gregory B. Hallowell and Helen Stojanov-Acford, CAGS, MA, CADC, LADC-1
Motivational Interviewing for Adults
Motivational Interviewing (MI) encompasses therapeutic strategies for assisting clients with behavior change that are more collaborative than prescriptive, while respecting the client’s autonomy and beliefs. We will cover basic (and some advanced) principles of MI including detailed strategies for engagement and collaborative practice. We will strengthen empathic skills, eliciting change talk, and learn to roll with resistance by focusing on MI’s OARS interviewing model (i.e., Open-ended questions, Affirmation, Reflective listening, Summarizing). We will use the classroom methods of lecture, discussion, demonstration, and practice together. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, present cases, complete practice exercises together, and learn the ways in which MI can be practiced in other arenas, not only in clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will have direct practice and experience of using open ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summarizations.
- Participants will learn the fundamental client language cues (change talk and resistance), that allow continued feedback and learning in practice.
- Participants will experience and practice an MI style for meeting resistance.
Adults
Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults - Treatment Modality Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructors: Sara Rodrigues, MSW, LICSW and Cayla DiSano, MSW, LCSW
Sexuality and Gender Across the Lifespan
Gender and sexuality are multidimensional facets of the human experience that intersect with each other throughout the lifespan. Debates such as nature vs. nurture and the influence of biology vs. social constructs are often invoked while discussing gender and sexuality and how they both evolve over time. In this course, participants will learn how to define human sexuality and gender, explore how both expand in each life stage, and how familial, social, cultural, and psychological factors impact personal and social development.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will explore the social construct origins of both gender and sexuality and how they have evolved over the past century.
- Participants will explore the theoretical underpinnings of gender and sexuality development across the lifespan through psychological, humanistic, and biological lenses.
- Participants will identify the biological and social constructs of gender and sexuality through intersecting identities of race, ethnicity, class, religion, age, disability, spirituality, nationality/citizenship, and other critical variables.
- Participants will explore gender and sexuality development in the context of neurocognitive variances.
- Participants will identify and discuss the implications of the deeper understanding of gender and sexuality in both clinical and macro social work practice.
Adult
Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults - Treatment Focus Elective
CYF
Advanced Clinical Practice for CYF - Treatment Focus Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Kenna Sullivan, LICSW
Suicide Prevention for Adults
This course seeks to address the psychological, health, and mental health factors that contribute to suicide in adults and older adults. We will review the history of suicide in the U.S. and globally, and the multi-dimensional aspects of suicide including biological, psychological, intrapsychic, interpersonal, sociological, cultural, and philosophical/existential elements in the suicide event. We will identify and examine risk factors as well as treatment interventions for suicide in adults. In addition, the course will examine suicide trends among many diverse high risk groups, as well as best practices in dealing with the suicidal and the bereaved.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will learn the impact of suicide in the US and internationally and current statistics regarding suicide.
- Participants will identify common myths about suicide and three high risk factors for suicide.
- Participants will name three suicide assessment tools in determining suicide.
- Participants will identify a treatment strategy for a person at risk for suicide.
- Participants will list two methods/programs for suicide prevention.
- Participants will name two strategies for burnout prevention for clinicians engaged in suicide assessment and prevention work.
Adult
Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults - Treatment Focus Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructor: Marina Kovarsky, LICSW
Psychodynamic Therapy for Adults
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is an empirically validated form of treatment that produces lasting change via a collaborative effort between client and therapist. Through this collaboration, the client is able to identify underlying, often unconscious, patterns of relating to oneself and one’s environment that both represent a necessary adaptation and contribute to suffering. Though originally derived from Freudian psychoanalysis, psychodynamic psychotherapy spans many decades of subsequent growth and development with contributions from ego psychology, object relations, self psychology, attachment theory, and relational theory. In this course, we will review some fundamental assumptions of the psychodynamic approach, familiarize ourselves with the work of a few of the key contributors, and apply theory to clinical situations that arise in a variety of social work settings.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe fundamental concepts from Drive Theory, Object Relations theory, Self Psychology and Relational theory that underlie contemporary practice of psychodynamic psychotherapy.
- Participates will be able to articulate how dynamic factors interact with biological predispositions and societal forces to inform their understanding of individuals’ clinical presentation.
- Participants will be able to identify a set of clinical techniques utilized in psychodynamic therapy to promote formation of insight, development of agency and greater integration within a relational context.
Adult
Advanced Clinical Practice for Adults - Treatment Modality Elective
Course Fee: $150
CEUs: 6
Online via Zoom • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch break 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.)
Instructors: Zane FitzGerald, MSW, LICSW
Attachment Theory
Understanding attachment, both practically and theoretically, is critical to understanding development, relationships, and interactions in the social environment. Caregiving systems are the foundation for healthy development. Secure attachment allows for safe exploration of the world, provides a healthy model of self and others, teaches how to communicate and how to read others, teaches to understand, tolerate, and cope with emotional experiences, and provides structure and limits. When attachment systems are challenged or disrupted, the impact on development throughout the lifespan can be significant. This training offers an overview of the critical importance of attachment, discussion of theory, and exploration of practical application of concepts, utilizing a dynamic and multimedia approach.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will review and explore several theories of attachment and development and weigh pros and cons of each.
- Participants will explore early childhood attachment systems and the impact on development and adult relationships.
- Participants will explore their own experiences in personal and professional settings of attachment styles on interpersonal interaction and relationships.
Certificate Program Instructors
General Admission
General Admission for each certificate course is $150.
No discounts are available.
General Information:
You must be at least 18 years old to participate in the Advanced Clinical Practice courses. All sales are final; we are not able to offer refunds. Registrations may not be transferred to another person or to another course, workshop, or program.
Online registration is required to participate in a course. Tuition for each certificate course is to be paid by debit or credit card. Registrations will be processed upon receipt of payment. Payment is due in full in order to enroll.
These courses are approved for CEUs for Social Workers in MA, CT, RI, and VT. They meet the requirements for Continuing Education Hours established by the State Board of Social Worker Licensure in ME. If your state is not listed, please check with your local state licensing board to ensure the course meets state requirements prior to registering.
Boston College Continuing Education is required to ensure attendance to award CEUs. Participants must attend the complete program(s) they register for to receive CEUs; we are not able to award partial CEUs. Those who arrive late, leave early, or do not attend the entire program will be unable to receive CEUs.
Getting to Campus
Parking is available at the nearby Beacon Street and Commonwealth Avenue Garages. Discounted parking passes are available upon registration.
Boston College is also accessible via public transportation (MBTA B Line - Boston College).