Rumi (born Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī) was a 13th-century Persian poet, theologian, scholar, and Sufi mystic. He believed in using poetry and the expressive arts to connect with God. His best-known work is the Maṭnawīye Ma’nawī (Spiritual Couplets), a six-volume poem that has been called “the Quran in Persian.”
This is a list of compelling quotes from Rumi’s works on love and healing. Theses Rumi quotes can be used as a therapeutic tool for clients to explore their own journey of love, suffering, and healing.
Feeling distressed or overwhelmed? Escape to the tranquility of nature with this guided meditation script for self-care. Immerse yourself in a sensory journey through the forest, focusing on sights, sounds, smells, and sensations. This guided meditation combines the grounding power of the 5-4-3-2-1 technique with the concept of forest bathing to reduce stress, promote calm, and leave you feeling relaxed.
Gently close your eyes and imagine yourself stepping into a hidden forest. Every hue of green imaginable surrounds you. Feel the cool shade beneath the canopy, where sunlight filters through, and a balmy breeze rustles the leaves.
This sacred sanctuary is yours alone, a space where you can fully immerse yourself in nature and find peace.
Take several slow, deep breaths, each breath filling your lungs with the forest air. As you exhale, soften your shoulders, and let the tension melt away.
Imagine the tranquility of this place as a glowing light, bathing your body, mind, and spirit. Root your feet firmly to the ground, connecting with the soothing strength of the ancient forest.
Now, let your thoughts drift like clouds across the vast sky. Let them come and go without judgment, simply observing them.
Shift your attention to the trees. Do they stand tall and noble, ancient giants with their arms raised in silent strength? Or, perhaps you find yourself in a younger forest, the trees vibrant and playful, their branches intertwining and dancing with joy.
To your right, a tree glows otherworldly blue, its leaves reflecting the sunlight like sparkling gems. The trunk, slender and white, shoots upwards in countless curves, its branches adorned with emerald-like leaves.
To your left, a colossal form emerges, a sentinel of the forest. Its trunk, washed in shades of copper and bronze, is the widest you’ve ever seen. With bark etched in amber ridges and umber trenches, the trunk rises straight and tall before embracing the sky with stately branches, leaves the richest, deepest green.
Ahead, a wise elder stands guard. Its gnarled trunk is anchored by endless roots that tumble and twist earthward, plunging deep into the forest soil. Branches wind upwards like reaching fingers, their leaves sage with whispers of gossamer.
Now, gaze skyward. Does the sun blaze brightly, reigning supreme, illuminating the tapestry of green and gold below? Perhaps a morning’s glow paints the scene, unfolding in shades of blush with dew-kissed rays that dance softly through the trees, whispering of warmth to come. Or, maybe the sun bids farewell, casting fiery arrows and ruby light in a defiant burst before its final descent.
Lower your gaze. Perhaps you see a carpet of fragrant moss, earthy and rich. Imagine sinking your toes into its softness, feeling the coolness against your skin. Maybe you stand on a blanket of fallen leaves that whisper of seasons past in shades of russet and silt.
Perhaps lush greenery and brush join the symphony of green, or rare blossoms unfurl their petals. Let your gaze wander and appreciate the diverse beauty underfoot.
Listen. Does a breeze rustle the leaves or whistle above the trees? Imagine bird songs filling the air as they call to each other in joyful trills and chirps. Can you hear a nearby stream gurgling and bubbling over rocks, or the roar of a distant river as it carves a path through the forest, racing towards the sea? Maybe a waterfall tumbles, its laughter echoing as it creates sprays of rainbows in the mist.
Or, perhaps silence reigns, a deep quietude that has its own sound – the exhale of your breath, the steady rhythm of your heart, the thrum of life pulsing through your veins.
In this stillness, you can almost hear the trees growing. Stems pushing through the soil, leaves unfurling, reaching for the sunlight. Embrace nature’s symphony, allowing the soothing sounds to wash over you.
Inhale deeply. Let the refreshing fragrance of sun-kissed leaves fill you. The air carries the heady perfume of the forest, tinged with the bittersweet bite of decaying flora. As you breathe in, do you detect the vibrant, chlorophyll-rich fragrance of newly unfurled leaves or hints of crisp pine and frost?
Inhale again, and savor the sharp scent of mineral heat as it radiates from sun-warmed rocks after the rain. Perhaps you detect the delicate nectar of wildflowers, or the distant, salty tang of the ocean carried on the wind.
Turn your attention to the forest floor and savor the cloying aroma of decaying leaves as they surrender to the earth, a reminder of life’s constant cycle. As you inhale the serenity of the forest, allow yourself to be revitalized by the scents of nature.
Shift your awareness to the velvety warmth of the sun as it filters through the leaves, dappling your skin with light. Notice the breeze, as the wind whispers across your face. Perhaps you even feel the cool spray of a nearby stream, tiny drops like kisses on your skin.
Now, it’s time to return to the present. As you slowly open your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and imagine the world around you merging with your inner sanctuary. Let the golden warmth, the earthy scents, the calming sounds, and the soothing colors of the forest fade, while serenity lingers within.
Remember, this haven is yours to return to, a refuge anytime you seek solace, a secret forest that waits for you in the quiet corners of your mind.
This is the third installment of a series published annually that explores the major mental health headlines and research findings in a year. This post looks at mental health in 2023.
Mental health in 2023 presented a complex landscape, shaped by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing pervasiveness of artificial intelligence (AI), polarized politics, and the ongoing opioid crisis.
The year saw a growing recognition of the importance of mental health and a call for increased investment in mental health services and research, with the World Health Organization (WHO) launching a global campaign to make mental health a universal human right.
In this article, I will review major mental health findings and news stories from 2023, as well as highlight some of the promising new research that is being conducted in the field of mental health.
Americans rank inflation, recession, and gun violence as their top anxiety-inducing current events, according to an American Psychiatric Association poll.
January 10, 2023
New research suggests that acts of kindness could be a valuable tool for tackling depression. The study found that doing good deeds for others led to benefits not seen in two other traditional treatment methods.
January 13, 2023
In a press release, the American Psychological Association explains research linking the stress of daily political news consumption to a decline in mental wellbeing.
A team of scientists uncovers a new use for a medication used to treat a common skin condition, as a promising treatment for alcohol use disorder. Study participants who received the medication, called apremilast, reduced their alcohol intake by more than half.
February
February 1, 2023
Researchers find that Black children in the United States were more likely to experience childhood adversity than White children, and these disparities were linked to differences in brain structure and the development of psychiatric disorders, such as PTSD.
February 1, 2023
A new study indicates that both social isolation and loneliness were associated with higher rates of heart failure, but whether or not a person actually felt lonely was more important in determining risk than if they were actually alone.
New research indicates that exercise may be more effective than traditional treatments for managing depression, anxiety, and distress. It was found that physical activity interventions were 1.5 times more effective than counseling or medication.
March
March 7, 2023
Researchers develop a blood test for anxiety that examines biomarkers to determine someone’s risk for developing an anxiety disorder, the severity of a person’s anxiety disorder, and which medications would be most effective.
March 9, 2023
According to research published by the American Psychological Association, the reason Americans (both conservative and liberal) share fake news is to fit in and not be excluded.
The United States ranks as the 15th happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report (with Finland ranking as the happiest and Afghanistan as the least happy country in the world).
March 28, 2023
Researchers find that marijuana-derived compounds effectively reversed opioid overdoses and could potentially be a more potent replacement for naloxone, which oftentimes requires multiple doses to revive a person who’s overdosed on fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that’s 50 times stronger than heroin.
March 29, 2023
A study published in JAMA Psychiatry indicates that telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic for opioid use disorder were associated with a reduction in overdose deaths.
The Belgian outlet La Libre reports that a Belgian man died by suicide after chatting with an AI chatbot on an app called Chai. According to the man’s widow, the app’s chatbot encouraged the man to kill himself in conversations that became increasingly confusing and harmful.
March 30, 2023
The House introduces the Transgender Bill of Rights, a resolution recognizing that it is the duty of the federal government to develop and implement a “Transgender Bill of Rights” to protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people and ensure access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.
April
April 3, 2023
The FDA clears a monitoring device that detects when a person’s breathing slows to a dangerous level due to opioid use, a potential gamechanger for preventing fatal overdoses.
Only 1 in 5 adults in the United States rate current economic conditions as excellent or good, with 35% rating the economy as poor. 8 in 10 Americans say they are dissatisfied with the state of the nation, and an increasing number of Americans expect economic conditions to worsen in the coming year.
Research indicates that a 3-day weekend has a positive impact on both mental and physical health, supporting the 4-day work week trend.
April 26, 2023
A Pew Research Center report finds that more Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record, with active shooting incidents on the rise. Of the firearm deaths, 54% were suicides and 43% were murders. This reflects a 23% increase since 2019 (before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic).
April 27, 2023
The results of the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America Survey suggest that mental wellbeing is a high priority for most employees. More than 9 in 10 Americans said it was important to work for an organization that valued their psychological wellbeing and provided mental health support. The majority of American workers also reported satisfaction with the current mental health support provided by their employers. At the same time, nearly 6 in 10 workers reported burnout and 1 in 5 employees reported workplace toxicity.
Researchers develop two new potential medications, based on ibogaine, a plant with psychedelic properties, that are more potent than traditional medications used to treat addiction and depression.
May 3, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issues its May Vital Statistics Rapid Release report, noting that fentanyl overdose death rates far outpaced overdose rates of other illicit substances. According to the CDC, the rate of drug overdose deaths increased by 279% for drug overdoses involving fentanyl from 2016 to 2021.
May 3, 2023
The U.S. Surgeon General releases a new advisory, calling attention to the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection, declaring war on the “loneliness epidemic” in America.
May 4, 2023
Researchers find strong evidence of a link between cannabis use and schizophrenia, the association stronger in men than women, estimating that at least 15% of cases of schizophrenia in males could have been prevented.
May 9, 2023
The American Psychological Association (APA) releases an advisory on social media use in adolescence with 10 recommendations. The APA cautioned that social media is neither inherently harmful nor beneficial, but because young people mature at different rates, some are more vulnerable to potential harms than others. Recommendations include limiting use of social media and minimizing exposure to certain types of content, among others.
May 9, 2023
SAMHSA and the FDA issue a Dear Colleague letter supporting the passage of legislation that makes it easier for healthcare practitioners to provide buprenorphine for opioid use disorder, emphasizing that it is a lifesaving intervention and noting an ongoing commitment to reducing barriers to accessing evidence-based treatments for addiction.
May 10, 2023
70% of adults in the United States report feeling anxious about keeping themselves or their families safe, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association.
Americans, on average, estimate that a family of four needs a minimum income of $85,000 annually just to “get by,” a considerable increase from a decade ago. This is notably higher than the federal poverty line for a family of four, which is currently $30,000.
Only 18% of Americans are satisfied with the way things are going in the United States, naming the government, the economy, and immigration as the most significant problems the country is facing.
A study published in JAMA Network Open finds that ChatGPT provided critical resources only about 20% of the time when asked serious public health questions related to abuse, suicide, or other medical crises.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there has been a dramatic rise in overdose deaths among young people aged 14-18 in recent years. Although buprenorphine is the only opioid addiction treatment approved by the FDA for use in adolescents, buprenorphine treatment is limited among adolescents. Only 1 in 4 residential addiction treatment facilities for adolescents offer buprenorphine in the United States.
June 15, 2023
Research indicates that men died from overdose at 2-3 times greater a rate than women in the United States in 2020-2021.
SAMHSA issues an advisory on the mental health symptoms and conditions associated with long COVID-19, including fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.
June 26, 2023
In a fascinating research study, the American Psychological Association sheds light on why some people are willing to believe conspiracy theories. In an analysis of 170 studies, researchers found that conspiracy theorists are driven strongly by intuition, feel a sense of antagonism and superiority toward others, and perceive dangers or threats in their environment. Those who strongly believed in conspiracy theories were also more likely to be insecure, paranoid, emotionally volatile, impulsive, suspicious, withdrawn, manipulative, egocentric, and eccentric.
The American Psychological Association denounces the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the rights of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina to consider the race of student applicants.
“Without purposeful attention to achieving diverse student bodies, our institutions of higher learning are likely to grow even more racially and ethnically polarized.”
JAMA Neurologyresearch indicates that dementia becomes an emergency more than 1.4 million times a year, accounting for nearly 7% of all emergency visits for people over age 65.
July 30, 2023
A Harvard study reveals that 50% of the world’s population will have a mental health disorder by age 75.
The HHS releases a report showing that the national uninsured rate reached an all-time low of 7.7% in early 2023, with approximately 6.3 million people gaining coverage since 2020, coinciding with the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration in January 2021.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate releases a report indicating that AI tools generate and promote harmful content about eating disorders 41% of the time.
August 8, 2023
Wildfires devastate Maui, killing 98 people by smoke, flames or drowning, and reducing the historic resort town of Lahaina to ash and ruins.
More than 6 in 10 Americans drink alcohol with 19% of drinkers saying they sometimes overindulge.
August 17, 2023
Research indicates that marijuana and hallucinogen use and binge drinking reached historic highs among adults 35 to 50 in 2022. While binge drinking has generally declined for the past 10 years among younger adults, adults aged 35 to 50 in 2022 reported the highest prevalence of binge drinking ever recorded for this age group.
Researchers near human trials for vaccines to prevent fentanyl and heroin drug overdoses; they anticipate testing vaccines in humans in early 2024. The Phase 1 human trials will be conducted with Dr. Comer at Columbia University in New York City.
August 29, 2023
The Biden-Harris Administration asks the Drug Enforcement Administration to loosen federal restrictions on marijuana, moving the classification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.
August 29, 2023
JAMA Network Openresearch indicates that new synthetic opioids, such as the fentanyl analogue and nitazenes, are among the fastest growing types of opioids linked to overdose. Some nitazenes are up to 10 times more potent than fentanyl, requiring more doses of naloxone, an opioid-reversal medication, to revive victims.
August 31, 2023
From 1999 to 2020, drug overdose deaths in the United States quadrupled, with the highest increases in White and Native Americans and in Midwest areas, according to research published in The American Journal of Medicine.
August 31, 2023
The HHS secretary recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day in a statement, announcing new overdose prevention funding.
“Drug overdose does not discriminate – rich or poor, Black or white, urban or suburban, drug overdoses reach every corner of our society.”
September
September 5, 2023
In a one-of-a-kind study, researchers map where in the body different types of love are felt and how strongly they are experienced.
September 6, 2023
The California State Assembly passes a bill legalizing psychedelics, including mescaline, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, and psilocin. In a news release, Senator Scott Wiener noted, “We know these substances are not addictive, and they show tremendous promise in treating many of the most intractable conditions driving our nation’s mental health crisis.”
More than 1 in 5 Americans fear that technology will make their jobs obsolete, with the fear more pronounced in college-educated workers, according to data from Gallup.
September 12, 2023
Most Americans say that being a man in the United States helps a person get ahead, according to a Pew Research Center survey. In contrast, more Americans say that being a woman actually hurts someone’s ability to get ahead.
September 13, 2023
Research identifies a 50-fold increase in U.S. overdose deaths involving fentanyl and stimulants since 2010, rising from 0.6% (235 deaths) in 2010 to 32.3% (34,429 deaths) in 2021, marking a concerning “fourth wave” in the opioid epidemic.
September 14, 2023
A Pew Research Center report finds that many Americans are pessimistic about the institution of marriage and the family. What’s more, marriage and parenthood were seen as less important than career or having close friends when it came to fulfillment in life.
September 18, 2023
A new study indicates that higher buprenorphine doses were associated with improved retention in treatment for opioid use disorder.
September 19, 2023
According to data from Pew Research Center, Americans are exhausted by politics, and a growing number of Americans express dislike for both political parties.
September 20, 2023
SAMHSA releases Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States, a report that provides data on Americans in recovery. For substance use specifically, 72.2% of adults with addiction considered themselves to be in recovery or to have recovered from their drug or alcohol use problem. For mental health, 66.5% considered themselves to be in recovery.
September 20, 2023
Researchers transform brain signals into audible speech by decoding signals from the brain through a combination of implants and AI, predicting the words people wanted to say with an accuracy of 92 to 100%.
JAMA Psychiatry publishes a study indicating that decriminalizing drugs in Oregon and Washington did not increase overdose deaths 1 year post implementation.
Hamas attacks Israel, killing hundreds and taking hostages, shocking the world.
October 10, 2023
On World Mental Health Awareness Day, the HHS secretary issues a statement addressing the mental health challenges faced by Americans and recognizing that mental health is a basic human right.
“In America, and around the world, we’ve come to a powerful realization: Mental Health is Health. Full stop.”
October 11, 2023
Gallup and the Institute for Family Studies publish a research brief, revealing that American teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours per day using social media, far more time than they spend watching television, doing homework, perusing hobbies, and playing video games.
October 11, 2023
The American Psychological Association releases a statement in response to Hamas’ attack on Israel, condemning the violence and warning of the long-term psychological effects of fear and traumatic stress on mental wellbeing.
“The psychology community stands in solidarity with all who are working to protect and safeguard human life during this conflict… We call for peace, dialogue, and conflict resolution as a pathway to ending the conflict, which is necessary for us to begin the work to prevent the suffering that will continue to result from ongoing violence.”
October 18, 2023
A JAMA Network Open study indicates that telehealth increases opioid treatment access and retention, strengthening the evidence that receiving addiction care through telehealth is safe and beneficial, and that it should be made available to those who need it.
About a quarter of the world feels lonely, according to a recent Meta-Gallup survey of more than 140 countries.
October 27, 2023
Research suggests that by 2040, the number of people living with dementia could reach 1.7 million, marking a significant increase of over 40% from previous projections.
The results of an American Psychological Association (APA) survey on stress in America challenge the notion that things are getting back to normal after the COVID-19 epidemic. APA psychologists widely agreed there is mounting evidence that society is experiencing the psychological impacts of a collective trauma, including global conflict, racism and racial injustice, inflation, and climate-related disasters.
The American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine collaborate to develop educational resources highlighting what physicians and the public should know about addiction, releasing two “Top 1o” lists to raise awareness, increase understanding, and combat stigma associated with addiction.
Nearly 60% of Americans used tobacco products, vaped nicotine, drank alcohol, or used illicit drugs, a slightly higher rate than the previous year.
7.3% of adolescents used tobacco products or vaped nicotine; of that group, 73.2% vaped only and did not use other tobacco products.
Of Americans who reported using alcohol, nearly 50% were binge drinkers, similar to the previous year.
Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug, with more than 1 in 5 people aged 12 or older reporting use, up from the previous year.
48.7 million (nearly 1 in 5) Americans had a substance use disorder in 2022.
23.1% of adults had a mental illness, an increase from the previous year, with the highest rates among young adults aged 18 to 25, followed by adults aged 26 to 49.
Adolescents experienced increased rates of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts compared to the previous year. 13.4% had serious thoughts of suicide, 6.5% made a suicide plan, and 3.7% attempted suicide.
Adults also experienced increased rates of suicidal thoughts and plans, but there was a slight decrease in attempts. 5.2% of adults in America had serious thoughts of suicide, 1.5% made a suicide plan, and 0.6% attempted suicide.
A significant majority (7 in 10) of adults with substance use or mental illness are in recovery, representing over 50 million Americans.
November 13, 2023
Research published in JAMA Pediatrics indicates that nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children and preteens now take melatonin, a dietary supplement unregulated by the FDA, for sleep, with some parents routinely giving the hormone to preschoolers.
The American Psychiatric Association remembers the life of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in a press release.
“Few, if any, other Americans have been able to accomplish what she did for the cause of mental health. Mrs. Carter worked relentlessly to help the millions of people in this country who have mental illness or substance use disorders. She used her bully pulpit to bring the conversation about mental health out from the darkness and to advocate for a more comprehensive system of care.”
November 21, 2023
A Pew Research Center survey shows that Americans are increasingly cautious about the growing role of AI in their lives. A little over half of Americans expressed concern rather than excitement about AI. In comparison, only 10% were more excited than concerned.
November 22, 2023
NIH research reveals that overdose deaths increased in pregnant and postpartum women from early 2018 to late 2021. Among those aged 35 to 44, overdose mortality more than tripled during this period.
A long-term research project finds no evidence to support cannabis as method for reducing opioid use. The study followed participants over a span of 18 to 20 years.
November 30, 2023
According to an American Psychological Association poll, nearly 9 in 10 Americans are stressed about the holidays, reporting concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict.
Wisconsin becomes the 31st state to ratify the Counseling Compact, which allows licensed professional counselors who live in a Compact member state to provide counseling services in other member states without the need for additional licenses, increasing access to mental health services for those in need.
To conclude, it’s been quite a year for mental health. While 2023 saw encouraging signs of recovery for some Americans impacted by the pandemic’s emotional toll, the year also presented significant challenges. The opioid epidemic continued to escalate, claiming more lives, while suicide rates rose at alarming rates and gun violence took a devastating toll.
However, amidst these sobering trends, glimmers of hope emerged for mental health in 2023. Increased access to treatment offered a lifeline to many, while ongoing research on novel treatment approaches for mental illness and addiction promised further breakthroughs.
When Harvard scholar Kari Nadeau was asked to sum up 2023 in one word, she chose the word “resilience.”
“I would say resilience is the word of the year, given how much our world has faced, how much individuals have suffered, and how much sorrow the public has experienced. I don’t use that word lightly, so to give more context, I believe that resilience is the ability to be cautiously optimistic and find purpose despite difficulties around us.”
Mind Remake Project’s comprehensive guide for free therapy worksheets, featuring a large collection of websites offering valuable resources at no cost.
Bookmark this page! Welcome to the updated edition of Mind Remake Project’s comprehensive guide for free therapy worksheets, featuring a large collection of websites offering valuable resources at no cost for both mental health professionals and consumers.
Explore a vast assortment of free therapy worksheets, download informative mental health factsheets, and delve into supplementary and bonus materials from reputable publishers like Guilford Press and Oxford Publishing. For a deeper understanding of clinical practices, access guidelines from trusted organizations such as SAMHSA and the American Psychiatric Association.
The previous version of this post, 200+ Sites with Free Therapy Worksheets, is still available for reference, but it has been archived, as many of the featured webpages no longer exist or the once free resources are now for a fee.
The majority of sites included in this guide were carefully selected based on the following criteria:
Ease of Use: Sites with minimal ads and intuitive navigation were prioritized.
Quantity: Sites offering a substantial volume of free resources were favored.
Quality: Sites providing high-quality and informative materials were chosen.
Accessibility: Sites that did not require registration or email sign-up to access free resources were preferred.
Before downloading any resource from the sites below, please read and adhere to the site or organization’s copyrights or limitations. For example, some of the materials may only be available for personal use.
I firmly believe that mental health resources should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial constraints. However, if you are able to, please consider making a donation to the sites or organizations that generously provide free valuable materials (when applicable).
I am not benefiting financially or otherwise from the links in this post, and I am not affiliated with the companies or organizations whose links are included in this post. Also, I am not endorsing any products or services. I am simply sharing these links because I believe they may be useful to my readers; Mind Remake Project’s mission is to provide free mental health resources.
Sites with Free Therapy Worksheets
Here’s a list of sites with free therapy worksheets, guides, and other tools for mental health professionals and consumers:
ACT With Compassion ACT-based worksheets, handouts, exercises, and more for working with self-criticism and shame, as well as resources based on compassion-focused therapy, radically open DBT, and emotion-focused therapy.
Between Sessions Hundreds of free therapy worksheets and workbooks derived from evidence-based therapies, designed by experienced professionals.
Black Dog Institute | Resources Mental health resources and support tools for anxiety, depression, and more that are research-informed and recommended by professionals.
Brené Brown | Resources “A collection of tools that’ll take you deeper into our work—and help you make it your own.”
Change to Chill | Worksheets/Handouts Free therapy worksheets, coloring pages, audio files, mindfulness exercises, and more from Change to Chill, a free mental wellbeing resource site for teens and young adults.
DBT Self-Help | Diary Cards Free downloadable diary cards from DBT Self-Help, the largest free Dialectical Behavioral Therapy resource dedicated to making DBT accessible to all.
Eppler-Wolff Counseling Center | Handouts Worksheets and handouts to help students cope with the transition from high school to college and to have a better college experience overall.
Faith G. Harper | Worksheets & Printables A modest collection of worksheets and handouts on emotions/sensations, positive psychology, solution-focused problem-solving, and more.
Good Knowledge | Good Medicine Questionnaires, information leaflets, PowerPoints, and other handouts on personal development and mental health from Dr. James Hawkins.
GoYourOwnWay | Document Downloads Handouts and tools for Veterans on various topics such as addiction, fear, spirituality, and more.
HappierTHERAPY | Mental Health Worksheets Hundreds of free therapy worksheets with a unique feature: Every downloadable worksheet includes a how-to guide for clinical use. DISCLAIMER: A drawback to using HappierTHERAPY is that the majority of the worksheets contain typos and formatting errors. While this site doesn’t meet quality criteria for selection, the worksheets can be easily edited using a program like Foxit PDF Editor.
Health Vista | Health Education Resources Free workbooks, worksheets, and handouts on a wide range of health topics including mental health issues such as addiction, mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and more.
Hoffman Institute Tools Downloadable tools to assist in discovering patterns, finding compassion and forgiveness, and creating a more empowered, fulfilled life.
Ineffable Living | Free Mental Health Worksheets-Printable PDF Library Hundreds of worksheets and journal prompts on topics such as codependency, trauma, abuse, self-love, relationships, and more. For a small fee, download all worksheet bundles and gain access to the “VIP Library.”
Inner Health Studio | Easy Relaxation Techniques Free relaxation scripts, audio and video downloads, mental health worksheets, and self-help techniques for coping with stress more effectively.
Journey to Recovery | Mental Health Worksheets 350+ therapy tools designed by a psychologist, including worksheets, journals, and lesson plans. While not entirely free, a subscription is only $10/month or $100/year.
Keeping Life Real Worksheet collections on various topics, many that were originally published by Between Sessions:
Living Life to the Full (LLTTF) | Resources A modest collection of handouts and worksheets from LLTTF; materials can be accessed through the courses. Books and additional resources can be purchased from the shop.
Mental Health Worksheets This site is similar to HappierTHERAPY in that it offers a large quantity of free worksheets, but of low quality. (HappierTHERAPY and Mental Health Worksheets are both PressPublish sites.)
Mindfulness Exercises Hundreds of free downloadable mindfulness scripts with video and/or audio guidance.
No Body’s Perfect | Worksheets Free therapy worksheets for use in the classroom or home environment, as well as worksheets for adult helpers working on their own body image and mental health.
Oklahoma TF-CBT Therapy Resources Printable trauma-focused handouts and assessments for therapists to use with children and adolescents.
Online CBT Resources Free therapy worksheets and questionnaires from Andrew Grimmer, a counselling psychologist and accredited cognitive behavioural psychotherapist in the UK.
PlantLoveGrow | Free Tools Free downloads and resources to assist parents, teachers, and health professionals.
PositivePsychology.com Free positive psychology worksheets, assessments, and more; browse blog posts to find and access the tools. Worksheet packets can also be purchased for $17.
PsychPoint | Mental Health Worksheets Handouts and free therapy worksheets designed by mental health professionals for clinical use. The standard worksheets can be downloaded for free after a 60-second waiting period (for each worksheet). Alternatively, a subscription is $99 for instant downloads and enables access to the full library. (Note: Only licensed clinicians in the United States can sign up.)
Telehealth Therapy Resources A collection of free therapy worksheets and resources for telehealth clinicians on anger, anxiety, goals, grief, trauma, and more.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs The VA offers a variety of different resources for Veterans, including free therapy worksheets, educational handouts, assessment tools, workbooks, manuals, and more. Several pages featuring free materials are linked to below:
Winona State University | Resilience Toolkit Reflections, exercises, videos, and other materials for developing the ability to bounce back in the face of stressful situations and inevitable setbacks.
Please note that the materials linked to below are intended for use with the book (for book purchasers). They are not standalone tools or substitutes for the book.
ACT Mindfully | Psychology Tools & Free Resources A variety of free therapy worksheets and other resources to use with Russ Harris’ self-help books: The Happiness Trap, The Confidence Gap, The Reality Slap, and ACT With Love, as well as his textbooks: ACT Made Simple, Getting Unstuck In ACT, and ACT Questions and Answers.
Guilford | Psychology, Psychiatry, & Social Work To access supplementary materials on Guilford’s site, click on any publication. Some publications offer practical tools for download, sample chapters, and/or companion websites with free materials.
New Harbinger Publications, Inc. To access the tools on this site, create a free account. (Please note that not all publications come with supplementary materials, especially the older publications.)
PESI Publishing PESI supplementary materials are available only for book purchasers in the worksheet download center. Codes or website addresses are frequently found on the back page of a publication or in the introductory chapter.
NHS Foundation Trust | Self-Help Leaflets These downloadable self-help leaflets are each between 25-40 pages, making them a more comprehensive resource than a typical factsheet. Topics include abuse, anger, sleeping problems, anxiety disorders, self-harm, and more.
Do you support Mind Remake Project’s mission to provide free mental health resources? If so, consider sharing a link to a free resource in a comment or email me directly to recommend a site.
The role of a therapist is a demanding one, requiring empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of human behavior. While showing appreciation for a counselor’s dedication is always a thoughtful gesture, finding the perfect gift can be a challenge.
The gifts for therapists featured in this post are inspired by items that I, as a counselor, find useful and meaningful, along with unique products that address the needs and wishes I see in other mental health workers.
Similar to last year, many of the products featured here can be purchased on Amazon. What’s new and different this year is thatI’ve discovered Temu (thank you, TikTok!), an online marketplace that sells “affordable, quality products from millions of sellers, manufacturers, and brands around the world.”
While Temu products are generally cheaper than goods from Amazon, the quality factor is hit-or-miss. The Temu gifts for therapists listed in this post meet my standards for quality, but it’s important to note there’s no guarantee they’ll come from the same manufacturer.
Also, I’ve included unique gifts that can only be found on Uncommon Goods, an independently-owned business that sells one-of-a-kind goods from artists all over the world. I support the company’s “force for good” business model; Uncommon Goods is environmentally conscientious, gives back to the community, and prioritizes employee wellbeing.
Here is the highly anticipated 2023 list of 50 fun and unique gifts for therapists and other mental health professionals:
This cleaning gel is an essential tool for any therapist, providing a quick and easy way to maintain a clean and hygienic workspace. Its unique formula effectively removes dust, crumbs, and other debris from keyboards, ensuring that they remain functional for typing up notes and reports.
If you’re anything like me, you know the struggle of reaching for your coffee only to find it lukewarm. This beverage warming device is the solution to microwaving the same cup of coffee again and again. With this mug warmer, your beverage stays at the perfect temperature, making it a great gift for the coffee- or tea-loving counselor in your life.
This compact color-coded feelings wheel displays a spectrum of emotions and is equipped with a tiny spinning arrow. The six main categories of feelings – Calm, Strong, Happy, Mad, Sad, and Fear – are further divided into subcategories for identifying more precise emotions. The interactive wheel can be pinned to a bulletin board and used as a visual tool to help clients identify, verbalize, and explore their feelings in therapy sessions.
In her refreshingly blunt You Are a Badass®, Jen Sincero served up candid and inspiring stories, sage advice, and the occasional swear word, all with the goal of helping readers reverse self-sabotaging behaviors and create a life of love. This little kit is perfect for the badass counselor in your life (as well as a fun tool for their clients!)
Not only is this keyring the thriftiest of featured gifts for therapists, it’s a charming and thoughtful token that serves as a tangible expression of appreciation, making it an ideal gift for any therapist or guidance counselor. Its meaningful message will remind them of the significance of their work and the positive impact they have on the lives of others.
“Documentation dread” is real, and it’s something we as therapists can all relate to. This fantastic planner helps ease that dread by enabling practitioners to quickly and easily create progress notes. (And the less time we spend documenting, the more time we have for what really matters – our clients!)
This handy DSM-5-TR reference guide is a top seller on Amazon for its practicality and usefulness. It serves as an invaluable tool for mental health professionals, providing quick access to diagnostic criteria and essential information for accurate and informed assessment. This convenient guide is a must-have for any therapist.
What makes a life fulfilling and meaningful? The simple but surprising answer is: relationships. The invaluable insights in this book emerge from the revealing personal stories of hundreds of participants in a Harvard research study as they were followed year after year for their entire adult lives, and this wisdom was bolstered by research findings from many other studies.
These flash cards were developed by Test Prep Books for test takers trying to achieve a passing score on the NCMHCE exam. This is another practical and useful gift for the recently graduated counselor who is studying for the NCMHCE.
Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett demystify that big gray blob between your ears. In seven short essays (plus a bite-size story about how brains evolved), this slim, entertaining, and accessible collection reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research.
This fun gift attests to “documentation dread” (refer to #10). The rustic wooden block is made from high-quality materials and will look great as a shelf-piece in any office.
This clever mug features Freud (i.e., the “Father of Psychology”) sipping from a cup with a speech bubble reading, “When you say one thing but mean your mother.” The mug comes in a colorful box perfect for gift-giving.
This 2-1/4-inch Himalayan mood lamp rotates through a full spectrum of colors, each associated with a different mood or emotion to create feelings of tranquility and peace in any working or living space.
This whimsical spectacle holder is highly rated on Amazon for its charm and quirky design. Handcrafted with durable, lightweight materials, it’s the perfect desk accessory for any therapist who wears glasses; their spectacles will always be within reach, the frustration of misplacing them eliminated.
Sigmund Freud once said, “Being entirely honest with oneself is a good exercise.” What about being honest with everyone else? In this lighthearted game of analysis, players score points by giving the best responses and advice.
Unlike Pavlov’s dog, Pavlov’s cat is no drooling fool for a bell. He awaits the sound of the can opener! This is the perfect gift for the cat-loving counselor in your life.
The Work-from-Home Survival Kit is a fun and clever gift is for the private practice counselor who works remotely. Of the nine items included, a few are functional (ear plugs, webcam cover), others are just-for-fun (conference call bingo card, decision coin: pajamas or pants?), and the rest are in-between (fidget cube, desk yoga guide).
This fun Thumball helps players learn coping skills for anxiety while increasing social skills and having fun. It’s great for individual or group counseling with groups of all sizes.
These conversations blocks are sure to be excellent conversation starters. They’re also useful social skills and emotional learning tools, as well as icebreaker tools for therapists and counselors.
Click here for icebreaker question cards, a free alternative that you can print and cut yourself.
There are innumerable ways to love – and to grieve – when we’ve lost someone we love. This thoughtfully curated deck recognizes that “one-size-fits-all” doesn’t work for the grieving process. The cards are grouped into three categories: Action, Insight, and Prompt, and are a useful tool for therapists supporting clients with grief and loss.
The Life Sutra Couple Reconnect card deck was designed by Dr. Tania Sharma to enhance relationships by promoting deeper conversations. These cards are the perfect gift for the couples counselor in your life!
This set of six color-coded blocks contains 36 practices and thousands of possible combinations. Therapists can use these handy dice to help their clients discover calming meditations, positive mantras, soothing movements, controlled breathwork, mind-boosting journaling, and wellness goals… or as a part of their own self-care plan!
These cards are designed to help lead conversations about feelings, behaviors, triggers, and ways to control addictive impulses. Addiction counselors can use the cards in group or individual counseling sessions.
For a free alternative, click here for a DIY deck that you can print and cut yourself.
The Totika Therapy Game Self-Esteem Question Deck contains 150+ open-ended questions regarding self-confidence, motivation, role models, setting goals, and overcoming life challenges. It’s appropriate for kids, teens, and adults, and is the perfect gift for any therapist.
CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) involves challenging irrational thoughts and replacing them with more realistic (and positive) beliefs. Socratic questioning is one technique that therapists use to encourage this process. This bold canvas is the perfect gift for any CBT practitioner.
These beautiful handmade succulents are the perfect gift for the committed therapist who tirelessly attends to their clients’ needs… and in doing so, forgets that their plants need care too!
Grounding techniques help with distressing thoughts by bringing one’s focus to the present moment. This attractive sign depicts the 5-4-3-2-1 method, a grounding technique that’s both simple and effective.
Fun fact: My very first office was no bigger than a walk-in closet and, like most closets, had no windows. If you know a counselor whose office is similarly lacking in natural light, consider gifting them this handy LED lamp that mimics sunlight. (Their plants will thank you.)
With its intricate detail, this handmade wonderscape beckons clients to create mesmerizing patterns in the sand. The sculpture-like balls, with their weighted stability and textured surfaces, provide a soothing massage to the palm and fingertips. This captivating office accessory not only enhances the decor but also serves as a therapeutic tool for grounding and calm.
This thought-provoking pewter paperweight boldly and simply poses the question, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” It’s a powerful reminder of the possibilities that lie within each of us, and a fitting addition to any therapist’s office. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as a conversation starter, encouraging clients to explore their deepest aspirations and dreams.
This little tin sign helps to create a safe space while serving as a reminder of the limits of confidentiality. It’s a great gift for school counselors and family therapists.
Self-care is one of the first things counseling students are taught in grad school; in order to care for others, we must first take care of ourselves. Stress management is an important aspect of self-care; this acupressure cushion targets points in the head and neck to release stress-induced tension.
Aromatherapy is another great way to relieve stress. This easy-to-use roll-on blend can be applied anywhere at any time to instantly promote feelings of relaxation and calm.
Yoga is an amazing self-care tool; it enhances both physical and mental wellbeing. With this nifty card deck, the busy therapist can engage in 52 simple practices during the workday, all conveniently from their desk.
This soothing pillow is filled with a natural blend of eucalyptus, mint, and flax seeds, and features an organic cotton leaf design on the front and pure silk on the back.
Each foot spa set includes a detoxifying charcoal foot scrub, soothing moisturizer, rubber foot massage ball, and medical-grade gel toe separators. This pampering gift is perfect for counselors or anyone with weary feet!
After being diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder in 2017, Emily June turned to embroidery to keep her hands busy and mind occupied, and found “the therapeutic joy of stitching.” This kit is a creative and meaningful gift for the crafty counselor in your life.
This novel approach to self-care offers 100 truths – or dares – on 50 sticks. Each stick has a thought-provoking question on one side and a challenging but achievable dare on the other. Gift your favorite counselor this fresh perspective on self-care, encouraging them to embark on a journey of personal discovery and growth.
Do you have ideas for gifts for therapists? Share in a comment below!
It’s important to note that not all free CE trainings are created equal. Always check to see if a training meets your state’s continuing education requirements. This information is typically available on the website of the state licensing board for your profession. To find NBCC-approved providers, search the ACEP directory here.
While I strive to provide credible and accurate resources, I recommend doing your own research to make sure a training is accredited by a reputable organization. Additionally, information linked to may change over time.
I am providing these links for educational purposes only and in no way endorse any service or benefit from sharing these resources. If you have any questions about a particular training, contact the training provider directly.
The following is a list of sites and courses that provide low-cost and free CE trainings for counselors and other mental health professionals. This resource list is geared towards professional counselors in the US, but many of the courses offer board-approved CEs for social workers, psychologists, nurses, and more. Also, a few of the CE providers provide UK CPDs.
The Ultimate List of Free CE Trainings for Counselors
Standalone Trainings
BASIS Microlearning Course The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS) Microlearning Course is a free educational opportunity consisting of 28, 1-hour continuing education modules that offer allied health professionals the opportunity to learn more about addiction research and its implications for treatment and public health.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
The Connection Between Asthma & Toxic Stress | Center for Youth Wellness Center for Youth Wellness is part of a national effort to revolutionize pediatric medicine and transform the way society responds to kids exposed to significant adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress. This free CE course discusses the association between asthma and toxic stress in children.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Co-Occurring Disorders: A Training Series | University of South Florida This is a free training series from the University of South Florida. The training modules offer a comprehensive overview for counselors on topics related to assessing and treating persons with co-occurring disorders. CEs are available for certain licensed professionals.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Effects of Child Maltreatment on Brain Development | Mindful CEU This brief, intermediate level continuing education course, developed using material from Child Welfare Information Gateway, provides basic facts on typical brain development and the potential effects of abuse and neglect on that development. The information is designed to help professionals understand the emotional, mental, and behavioral impact of early abuse and neglect in children who have been exposed to chaotic or threatening environments. One free CE credit is provided upon completion.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Foundations of Trauma-Informed Therapy Practices | Maryland CEU Institute In this workshop, clinicians learn about trauma and its manifestations in neurobiology, emotions, and behaviors. One CE is provided. Mayland CEU Institute is a small women-owned/social worker-owned business based in Maryland, but as an ASWB-approved and NBCC-approved CE provider, CE credit hours are accepted for social workers, professional counselors, and other mental health professionals in most states across the US. For additional on-demand courses (starting at $45), click here. For upcoming live events, click here.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Helping Heroes Helping Heroes is a free web-based training course for providers who work with firefighters. Continuing education credit for Helping Heroes is awarded on a module-by-module basis; however, all modules (i.e., the entire course) must be completed in order to receive credit. Eight hours of continuing education are approved upon successful completion.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Implicit Bias Module Series | Kirwan Institute This course introduces insights about how the mind operates and about the origins of implicit associations. Learners will uncover some of their own biases and learn strategies for addressing them.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Increasing the Effectiveness of Suicide Prevention Strategies | Quantum Units Education This CE course provides a snapshot of recent efforts to implement the goals and objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and makes suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of these implementation efforts. One CE credit is provided upon completion.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Interdisciplinary Behavioral Health Collaborative (IBHC) Training Modules | Westfield State University This free online training series is designed to prepare social workers to meet the workforce demand for integrated behavioral health clinicians in medically underserved areas with the goal of increasing health equity. Social work and nursing CEUs are available upon course completion and passing the post-test.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy (ISRT) | Training IPSRT was developed as a treatment for mood disorders. The interpersonal elements of the program are based on interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) for depression, a time-limited treatment that focuses on the bidirectional relationship between mood and life events. This 8-hour online training course is available for free with registration.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Journey to Health | Cardea Training Center This free 5-module course covers information to support new and current clinicians and staff who serve American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people in understanding and elevating healthcare within indigenous communities. Topics include cultural humility, decolonizing patient care, trauma informed care, resilience, wellness support, and professional practice. Two CEs are provided.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Medical University of South Carolina | TF-CBT 2.0 TF-CBT Web 2.0 is a self-paced, online training course for mental health professionals learning trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). The course is comprised of 11 learning modules that cover the foundations of TF-CBT and each of the treatment components. Completion of the full course may count for 11 contact hours of continuing education. The cost for the entire course is $35 per learner.
Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $3 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Medical University of South Carolina | CTGWeb This is an online course for using TF-CBT with childhood traumatic grief. It is available only to learners who have already completed TF-CBT 2.0. This course provides six CE credits for social workers. CE credits may also be provided for licensed counselors.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Medical University of South Carolina | CPTWeb 2.0 CPT Web 2.0 is a self-paced, online training course for mental health professionals learning cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for trauma. The course is comprised of 13 learning modules that cover the foundations of CPT and each of the treatment components. Completion of the full course may count for 13 contact hours of continuing education for certain professionals.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Mental Health & Wellness in the Workplace Course | USF College of Behavioral & Community Sciences This free 7-session course teaches participants about the prevalence rates and symptoms of the most common mental and behavioral disorders, what to look for in employee behaviors that may suggest impairment, how to approach the employee, and what resources to consider to help and retain employees. Employees who take the course can sharpen their skills in identifying colleagues who may be in distress and offer assistance. The fee for a certificate is $179.
Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Online MBSR/Mindfulness (Free) This online MBSR training course is 100% free, created by a fully certified MBSR instructor, and is based on the program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The 8-week course is completely self-guided; there is no registration. For a certificate of completion, learners must submit their practice sheets and a one-page description of what they’ve learned and how they will be incorporating what you learned.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Webcourse | PCIT & Parent Child (PC)-CARE This UC Davis PCIT Webcourse is a free 10-hour, 11-module webcourse designed to introduce participants to PCIT, usually prior to full PCIT training. CEs are offered for completion of the webcourse. The UC Davis CAARE Center is an APA-approved CE provider.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Preventing Firearm Injury: What Clinicians Can Do This course was developed by the BulletPoints Project, a program of the California Firearm Violence Research Center at the University of California, Davis. BulletPoints aims to teach medical and mental health care providers how to reduce the risk of firearm-related injury and death in their patients. This course provides an opportunity for participants to earn one free CE credit.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
PsychMaven offers online courses and live seminars on therapist-focused business and professional development, as well as continuing education on clinical topics. PsychMaven free courses:
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Resilience & Self-Care Basics for Helping Professionals | Center for Adolescent Studies This course presents the basic, introductory tenants for how to define, practice, and maintain resiliency and self-care strategies as a helping professional. This is a 1.5-hour online course; registration is required. 1.5 free CEs (APA- and ASWB-approved) are provided.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
SBIRT for Substance Abuse This is a free 3-hour, self-paced course. The web-based course offers three contact hours of continuing education for nursing, social work, and counseling professionals (CNE, NASW, and NAADAC) for a fee of $5 per hour.
Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Setting the Stage: Racism in the History of Substance Use & Addiction | ASAM This 1-hour, online module focuses on health disparities in substance use and the causes therein, with a special emphasis on racially oppressive values that are harmful to racial and ethnic minoritized populations. The target audience for this introductory-level course includes social workers, counselors, and other mental health clinicians. Upon completion, one CE credit is provided. ASAM is a NAADAC-approved CE provider. Click here for the second free CE module in this series.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
SimplePractice Learning delivers engaging, relevant and actionable continuing education with live and on-demand courses taught by clinical experts. SimplePractice Learning free CE courses:
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
SOAR Online Course: Adult Curriculum | SAMHSA This 7-module course trains case workers to assist adults (age 18+) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) disability programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Upon completion, 20 free CEUs from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) are provided.
Free CEs: Free | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
SOAR Online Course: Child Curriculum | SAMHSA This 7-module course trains case workers to assist children (under age 18) who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefit program. Upon completion, 20 free CEUs from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) are provided.
Free CEs: Free | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
SUD 101 Core Curriculum (2023) | PCSS The 23 modules in this 2023 curriculum provide an overview of evidence-based practices in the prevention, identification, and treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions for a variety of populations. This training series is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners or other advance practice nurses, PAs, pharmacists, and the healthcare team. Each standalone module is available at no cost.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder Course | ASAM This 4-hour introductory course provides an overview of the diagnosis and management of alcohol use disorder, with a focus on treatment in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. The target audience for this introductory course is clinical healthcare professionals who prescribe medications in outpatient or inpatient settings. Upon course completion, four free CEs are provided. ASAM is a NAADAC-approved CE provider.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Tutorial for Child Welfare Professionals This free 5-module tutorial provides child welfare professionals with knowledge of alcohol and drug addiction and its impact on parenting; engagement strategies and the treatment and recovery process for families affected by substance use disorders; services needed by children whose parents have substance use disorders; and methods of improving collaboration among substance abuse treatment, child welfare, and court systems. This program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers for 4.5 CE credits.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Tutorial for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Professionals This free 5-module course provides substance use disorder treatment professionals with information on the operations of child welfare and the dependency court; effective engagement strategies and treatment practices for families involved with child welfare systems; services needed by children whose parents have substance use disorders; and methods of improving collaboration among substance abuse treatment, child welfare and court systems. Upon completion, 4.5 NAADAC-approved CEUs are provided.
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No
Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes
What is Narrative Practice? A Free Course from the Dulwich Centre This course is a gateway to free papers, videos, and extracts for learners to enjoy at their own pace. Across nine ‘lessons’ or ‘chapters,’ learners can access relevant papers, videos, images, interviews, and questions. CE credits are available for a fee. (Click here for additional online courses.)
Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No
Accanto Health | Continuing Education Accanto Health offers continuing education for healthcare providers to help their patients with eating disorders take the first steps toward recovery. Live webinars are free to attend and provide complimentary CE credits.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
ACEonline, LLC | Course Catalog ACEonline, LLC is a women-owned company based out of Florida. The educational material used in ACEonline courses comes from a variety of sources, including original material authored by licensed attorneys and clinicians, and material found in the public domain, such as SAMHSA, NIMH, NIH, and Child Welfare Information Gateway publications. 60+ courses, including low-cost courses (starting at $15), are available on child abuse, domestic violence, and related topics. There are several free courses available as well.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Action Explorations Education | Free Materials Action Explorations Education is an e-learning video course platform, dedicated to Psychodrama & AM, curated by top international trainers. 30+ online courses are offered. Action Explorations Education is an APA-approved CE provider.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Addiction Treatment Forum | Online Continuing Education Free Training Modules Addiction Treatment Forum was developed in the early 1990s to address the concerns of patients and professionals working in the addiction treatment field during the heroin epidemic. Two free training modules are available on hepatitis/HIV/AIDS and medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. CMEs and APA-approved CEs are available.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Advanced Career Online Resource Network (ACORN) ACORN offers on-demand and live courses for mental health treatment providers, treatment supervisors, agency administrators, and prevention specialists. Nearly 50 free CE trainings are available for counselors on gambling, co-occurring disorders, diversity and inclusion, and more.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
The Affirmative Couch | CNM, Kink, & LGBTQIA+ Continuing Education Courses The Affirmative Couch is a committed advocate for the mental health of LGBTQIA+, consensually non-monogamous, and kink communities, working with both groups and individual providers. The Affirmative Couch offers 50+ on-demand courses, including low-cost CE courses (starting at $10), to help ensure that the field of affirmative psychotherapy is filled with individuals poised to better assist individuals in sexuality-, gender-, and relationship-expansive communities. For upcoming live opportunities, click here. An annual membership is $500 per year. The Affirmative Couch is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Alison | Free Online Mental Health Courses Alison is one of the world’s largest free learning platforms for education and skills training. It is a for-profit social enterprise dedicated to making it possible for anyone, to study anything, anywhere, at any time, for free online, at any subject level. Currently, there are hundreds of free mental health courses on stress management, burnout, and more. CPD UK certificates are available. Premium monthly subscribers (for €7.99 per month) receive an ads-free learning experience and receive a 10% discount for every month subscribed.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
All CEUs | Live & On-Demand Online Counseling CE for LCSW, LPC, Psychologists, LMHC, & LMFT All CEUs provides affordable, multimedia online counseling CEUs, masterclasses, and precertification training and exam review for mental health, social work, rehabilitation, addiction, case management, recreation therapy, and nursing professionals. CE courses are offered a la carte for a fee or for free with an unlimited access CE membership. Currently, an annual membership is $99. All CEUs is a NAADAC-approved CE provider.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $3 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC | Online CE Courses ALLEGRA Learning Solutions designs and develops continuing professional education courses, certificate programs, curricula, classes, and workshops for an interdisciplinary audience, including nurses, health care professionals, and other interested individuals. There are hundreds of courses available. Currently, course offerings range from $10 (for 1 contact hour) to $40 (for 4 contact hours) with certificate courses ranging from $64 to $272. ALLEGRA is a NAADAC-approved CE provider.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
All Points North (APN) University | CE Offerings APN University is an initiative to provide quality continuing education units and training opportunities to professionals in the mental health field, starting with free CEUs for social workers. Pre-registration is required for live CE events.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) PediaLink | Online Courses PediaLink provides trusted, high-quality education to enhance knowledge and expertise at every career stage. Courses are designed for medical professionals who work with children and adolescents, but many of the topics are relevant to clinical counseling. Free courses are available; APA CEs are offered.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT) Teneo | Online Education & Training AAMFT’s Teneo is a resource for LMFTs, LPCs, LCSWs, and other mental health professionals seeking continuing education credits. Teneo provides access to hours of online education with a focus on systems and relational therapies. Low-cost CE trainings start at $15 for members ($25 for non-members).
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $25 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
American Counseling Association (ACA) | Course Catalog ACA is a nonprofit, professional and educational organization dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA provides NBCC-approved video- and text-based CE opportunities. There are several free CE courses. Low-cost trainings start at $12 for members ($19 for non-members).
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $19 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) | Store AMHCA’s mission is to advance the profession of clinical mental health counseling by setting the standard for collaboration, advocacy, research, ethical practice, and continuing education. NBCC-approved webinars and journal homestudy CE opportunities are offered, starting at $10 for members ($20 for non-members). There are multiple text-based CE credits available for free.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
American Psychological Association (APA) | Continuing Education APA provides continuing education programs for psychologists and other mental health professionals. There are hundreds of options to choose from; the course catalog can be filtered and searched for topics of interest. Members receive a discount. Courses start at $15.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
American Society on Aging (ASA) | Online Education ASA has become the go-to source to cultivate leadership, advance knowledge, and strengthen the skills of those who work with and on behalf of older adults. ASA offers free online seminars with complimentary CE credits (including NASW-approved CEs). Currently, there are 40+ trainings available.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) eLearning: Free for All ASAM is a physician-led professional community for those who prevent, treat, and promote remission and recovery from the disease of addiction. ASAM’s mission is to provide resources for continuing innovation, advancement, and implementation of addiction science and care. ASAM offers 45+ free webinars and online education to increase understanding of addiction medicine. Many of the free courses provide AMA and NAADAC CE credits.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) | Webinars & Continuing Education ADAA offers continuing education webinars for mental health professionals on anxiety, depression, OCD, and co-occurring disorders. Hundreds of live and on-demand trainings are available. Many of the courses are free for members (non-members pay $25); some of the courses provide CEs. An annual membership is $289.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $25 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Arizona Trauma Institute’s School Arizona Trauma Institute works with professionals, companies, and organizations to provide training in trauma sensitive care. There are no free CE offerings, but there are a few low-cost CE trainings starting at $30. Currently, there are nearly 50 course offerings.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Aspira Continuing Education | CEUs Aspira CE offers board-approved online CE courses for psychologists, MFTs, social workers, professional counselors, addiction/substance abuse counselors, and nurses. Individual CE units can be purchased for as low as $6 per unit. An unlimited CE membership is currently available for $129 per year.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $6 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences (AATBS) | Free Continuing Education Courses AATBS seeks to enhance the skills of mental and behavioral health professionals through highly effective education on content and conceptual knowledge relevant to their professions. There are 600+ options to choose from with a few free CE trainings provided. Low-cost courses start at $14.99 (for one contact hour). For live upcoming events, click here. Currently, an all-access pass is $199 per year or $9.99 per month, and includes access to all recorded webinars.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $14.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Association for Psychological Therapies (APT) | Free Webinar Recordings APT provides training for mental health professionals in the UK and internationally in Australia, Canada, the United States, and more. There are 50+ multi-module courses available with over 30 free online learning sessions, some offering free CEs. Free course topics include DBT, case formulation, compassion-focused therapy, and more. Currently, membership benefits don’t include unlimited CEs, but with the purchase of any course, the buyer automatically becomes an APT member, free of any additional charge.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: ₤10 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: No
BaysideCEU | Course List Bayside Continuing Education and Development was created to provide affordable, easily accessible, and relevant continuing education to professionals. Low-cost (but not free) CE courses, starting at $10, are available for counselors.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
BehavioralHealthCE BehavioralHealthCE offers web-based and text-based training opportunities for mental health practitioners. All of the courses can be viewed for free; CEs are available for a fee.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Behavioral Health Springboard | Online Courses Behavioral Health Springboard at the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, links current research to initiatives in mental health and substance use prevention and treatment. Free NBCC-approved courses are offered for mental health professionals.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
CAMS-Care | Training Products CAMS Framework® is an evidence-based therapeutic assessment and treatment model that emphasizes collaboration and transparency between therapist and patient. Low-cost CEs (NBCC, APA, and NASW), starting at $12, are available for training videos and consult calls. Click here for free live and on-demand webinars.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $12 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Cardea Training Center | Catalog Cardea is a women-of-color-led organization that addresses complex issues by seeking to lead and engage with humility, compassion, collaborative spirit, and innovation. Free CE trainings are available for social workers and medical professionals.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Cambridge Health Alliance, Division on Addiction | Professional Education Opportunities The Division on Addiction’s goal is to alleviate addiction-related social, medical, and economic burdens through research, education, training, and outreach. The Division offers free continuing education courses for a diverse group of learners, including health care providers, policy makers, and scientists. Currently, the Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS) Microlearning Course, a 28-module course, is available for 28 free CE hours. Click here for additional free resources.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
CE4Less CE4Less.com was founded in 2004 with a mission to provide high-quality continuing education at an affordable price. All courses are fully accredited and developed by leading academics and practitioners from across the United States and Canada. There are hundreds of courses to choose from. Currently, an unlimited CE membership is available for $74.99 per year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $9.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
CE Learning Systems CE Learning Systems offers 520 high-quality CE courses for social workers, counselors, psychologists, addiction counselors, and others in mental health professions. Free and low-cost CE trainings are available. CE credits can be purchased for a fee, starting at $5.97 per credit. For unlimited CEs, an annual membership is $97. CE Learning Systems is an NBCC- and NAADAC-approved CE provider.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5.97 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Cenpatico University | Clinical Provider Training Centene combines state and national training expertise to offer three national webinar series. Trainings are offered at no cost and are available to any provider, stakeholder, caregiver, community member, and/or staff member that provides care. Free CEs are available.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) | Online Modules CASCW’s online modules are self-directed learning opportunities for child welfare professionals, foster parents, advocates, and others interested in the topics. The modules consist of narrated PowerPoint presentations with a variety of media attached (e.g., videos, documents, etc.). All modules are accessible for free. Post-tests are available upon request. After completion of each module, learners receive a completion certificate.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Deployment Psychology Free trainings are provided for military and civilian behavioral health professionals to provide high-quality, culturally-sensitive, evidence-based behavioral health services to military personnel, Veterans, and their families. Free CEs are available.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Excellence (CoE) LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity | E-LEARNING MODULES CoE on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity provides behavioral health practitioners with vital information for supporting people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, two-spirit, and other diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions. The training modules that are designed for clinical staff provide free CEs. For free upcoming live trainings, click here. For free on-demand CE courses, click here.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Family Based Training | Courses Center for Family Based Training provides specialized training and consultation to behavioral health professionals working in the community with high-risk youth and their multi-stressed families. Nearly 30 online CE courses are available, starting at $12 (for one CE credit).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $12 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Prolonged Grief | Webinars Center for Prolonged Grief’s goal is to ensure that all health and mental health professionals know how to recognize prolonged grief and to develop a workforce of therapists who can provide efficacious prolonged grief treatment. Free webinar recordings are available on topics related to prolonged grief. For CE webinars (starting at $30), click here.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $30 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Center for Tobacco Independence (CTI) | Webinars Throughout the year, CTI conducts free virtual trainings to support ongoing education in tobacco treatment, prevention, and policy change. CTI Training and Education Team offers a variety of webinars that provide continuing education credits. Free CEs are available for medical professionals. Click here for the essential skills training program ($25 for Maine residents, $50 for non-residents).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
CE Training Workshops CE Training Workshops offers live and interactive webinars and online training modules designed to meet the continuing education needs of mental health and substance use professionals. Low-cost CE courses start at $20 and are approved by NBCC and NAADAC.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
CEViews CEViews is the largest directory of live continuing education training events for mental health professionals. There are 500+ CE opportunities available, including 16 free CE courses, as well as low-cost options, starting at $19.99. CEViews is approved by multiple national and state boards, including NBCC.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
CE You! CE You! is an ASWB-approved CE provider, providing hundreds of live and on-demand CE opportunities for mental health professionals. (Click here for CE webinar recordings.)
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $19.99 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Clearly Clinical Podcast Continuing Education Clearly Clinical’s goal is to provide courses that answer questions, build skills, and help to satisfy licensure and certification requirements. One episode = one CE credit. Currently, to access Light Up the Couch podcast, an annual membership fee is $95. However, there are several free CE courses available.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
CMECalifornia CME/CE Center CMECalifornia is a collaborative project of the University of California consortium of continuing medical education programs. Their mission is to provide healthcare professionals with quality, evidence-based continuing education to enhance competence, advance physician performance, and improve patient outcomes. The majority of CE/CME activities are free.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Cognitive Behavior Institute (CBI) | Courses The mission of CBI Center for Education is to advance clinical efficacy by empowering mental health professionals with education, consultation, and research. They offer a growing list of CE courses. The course catalog can be filtered and searched by price (starting at $15). There are several free courses available (no CEs provided).
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: No
Core Wellness | Recorded Webinars Core Wellness was founded in 2018 with the mission of providing holistic, evidence-based support, therapy, and training. Core Wellness offers moderately priced CE courses ($50-$75 on average) with a few low-cost and free CE trainings on topics related to children, attachment, families, DBT, clinical supervision, and more. A directory of live and upcoming workshops can be viewed here. An unlimited access membership includes all in-person, live, and recorded events and costs $797 per year (or $79.97 per month) and a recording-only access membership is $447 per year (or $49.97 per month).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $22 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Cummings Graduate Institute (CGI) | Webinars & Courses CGI is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate and professional behavioral health education through a virtual online campus. Several free and low-cost CE courses are available.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Cyberounds: Psychiatry/Neuroscience Cyberounds is an educational resource for health professionals. There are nearly 50 courses on mental health and related topics available. All conferences are free to attend; CMEs may be offered.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: N/A | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Defense Health Agency (DHA) J-7 Continuing Education Program DHA, J-7, Continuing Education Program Office (CEPO) offers unlimited CE credits to healthcare professionals who actively treat service members, Veterans, and their family members. DHA, J-7, CEPO’s expected results of the centralized CE program are to facilitate best practices, interprofessional learning, and military readiness, which enhances the knowledge, skills, and practices of healthcare teams.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Delta Autumn Training Academy Delta Autumn Training Academy (DATA) is a CE website for mental healthcare providers. DATA summarizes large bodies of research in a way that is engaging, humorous, and applicable. NBCC-approved CE course credits are provided at no cost; donations are appreciated.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Development Counts | Clinical Supervision Forum Clinical Supervision Forum is an every-other-month continuing education series for clinical supervisors to learn, network, and share historical and innovative practices in clinical supervision for mental health professionals. Free CE credits, issued by the Telehealth Certification Institute, are provided for behavioral health clinicians.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Direct CEU | All Courses Direct CEU provides online trainings for behavioral health professionals. Course materials are obtained through a variety of sources, ranging from public domain governmental researchers to academic researchers to licensed professionals. CE credits are available for $3.99 per credit. Currently, one free CE course is offered.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $3.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Early Childhood Investigations (ECI) Webinars | Recordings, Slides, & Handouts ECI provides an ongoing webinar series of conference-quality free trainings for early childhood educators. Free certificates of attendance are provided; optional CEUs can be earned through Bertelsen Education for $15. For live, upcoming webinars, click here.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Eating Disorder Hope | Events Eating Disorder Hope’s mission is to offer hope, information, and resources to persons with eating disorders, their family members, and treatment providers. Live and in-person free CE trainings are available.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Eating Recovery Center (ERC) | Events for Doctors, Therapists, Counselors, & Dietitians ERC is an international center for eating disorders and mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders recovery providing comprehensive treatment for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. ERC offers industry-leading continuing education and networking events for professionals in the behavioral health industry.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
eCare Behavioral Health Institute eCare Behavioral Health Institute offers hundreds of online CE events for mental health professionals. Currently, there are 340+ CE courses available. There are several low-cost trainings, starting at $18. An unlimited CE membership is $297 per year and a limited-access (recordings only, no live events) membership is $197 per year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
El Futuro | Upcoming Webinars El Futuro is a community-based nonprofit organization that seeks to transform Latino-serving mental healthcare in North Carolina and beyond. El Futuro offers a free monthly webinar series for clinicians.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Eventbrite | Discover Great Events or Create Your Own & Sell Tickets Eventbrite is a global self-service ticketing platform for live experiences that allows anyone to create, share, find, and attend events that fuel their passions and enrich their lives. Online CE training events are also available. The search tool can be used to find relevant online trainings.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: N/A | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Family Service Society, Inc. | Professional Training Institute CE Workshops Family Service Society, Inc. provides professional counseling and community services that empower individuals and families to deal more effectively with their challenges, enhancing the quality of their lives. Professional Training Institute occasionally offers free CE trainings.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Feeling Good Institute | Free Mental Health Webinars for Therapists Feeling Good Institute was born to set the standards, train, organize, and support the therapist community practicing TEAM-CBT. Online training events provide clinicians with essential skills and practical tools. Some of the free courses offer CE credits.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Find Empathy | Free Courses Find Empathy offers engaging, easy-to-digest CE trainings on the intersection between chronic illness and mental health. There are several free CE courses available.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Association (FADAA)/ Florida Behavioral Health Association | Training Library A large collection of on-demand trainings is available for clinicians who provide substance use disorder services to support the use of evidence-based practices in Florida. (Archived trainings do not provide CEs.) Free CE credits are awarded for participation in some interactive webinars and live workshops. Click here to view upcoming training events.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Florida Counseling Association (FCA) | Upcoming Trainings FCA’s mission is to promote the value of professional counseling as well as supporting and unifying professional counselors in all settings resulting in high quality practices in Florida. FCA offers free training opportunities for members as well as low-cost CE options (starting at $10) for non-members. An annual membership is $50 ($30 for students) and includes access to the webinar library.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) | On-Demand Webinars FMHCA serves the mental health counseling profession in Florida by monitoring and influencing legislative activity, offering educational opportunities, and serving as a medium for professional networking at a local, state, and national level. Low-cost CE trainings are available for around $15 per course for members ($35 for non-members). For upcoming live webinars, click here. An annual membership is $70 ($30 for students).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $17.50 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Free State Social Work, LLC Free State Social Work offers online continuing education for social workers, counselors, and therapists, with 100+ courses available. Each CE credit is $5.99. Currently, one free sample course is offered. An unlimited CE package is $74.99 per year. Free State Social Work is approved as a continuing education provider by ASWB and NBCC.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $5.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
FUTURES Without Violence | Webinars FUTURES provides groundbreaking programs, policies, and campaigns that empower individuals and organizations working to end violence against women and children around the world. Free upcoming and on-demand webinars are available; some trainings may provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Genesis Continuing Education Online | Online CEs Genesis Continuing Education Group offers online CE credits for social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and addiction professionals. Most of the courses are based on well-received books, written by respected authors in the field. Free and low-cost CE courses are available, starting at $15 for three credits. An unlimited CE pass is $154 per year.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $3.50 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Glendon Association | CE Opportunities – Live & Online Glendon’s selection of workshops and products provide continuing education credits for mental health professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, MFTs, social workers, nurses, and licensed counselors. CE costs vary, starting at around $10 per credit.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: No
GoodTherapy Continuing Education for Counselors GoodTherapy offers hundreds of quality, accessible continuing education events. Non-members can access homestudy recordings for $15.50 per event. (An unlimited CE membership is $30.95 per month.)
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Gorski CENAPS | Home Study Courses CENAPS (an acronym for Center for Applied Sciences) is a training and consultation firm founded by Terence Gorski in 1982. CENAPS is committed to providing the most advanced clinical skills training for the addiction and behavioral health fields. Homestudy CE courses are offered for as low as $18.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $18 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Greater Richmond SCAN | Community Programs Training Greater Richmond SCAN is a nonprofit founded in 1991 to address the growing rates of child abuse and neglect in Richmond, VA. Community programs include SCAN prevention programs and initiatives that are focused on prevention and promoting resilience. Training events are free and open to the public; some courses offer CE credits through the National Association of Social Workers Virginia chapter (NASW-VA). The cost to purchase one course (two CE hours) is $25.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $12.50 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Great Lakes Rural Opioid Technical Assistance (ROTA) Regional Center Great Lakes ROTA-RC offers a free virtual learning community featuring opioid and other substance use, as well as mental health, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction education events for professionals, para-professionals, volunteers, and students in a variety of fields supporting the Great Lakes community. CEs may be offered. Past events can be viewed here.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: N/A | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Harmony Place Monterey | Webinar Videos Harmony Place Monterey is a PHP/IOP treatment center on the Central Coast of California that treats addiction and mental health issues (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and trauma). Free webinar recordings can be viewed for CEs with the completion of an evaluation forms. Live CE trainings are also offered.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Hazelden Betty Ford Addiction Recovery Webinars & Video Conferences Harnessing science, love, and the wisdom of lived experience, the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by substance use and mental health conditions. Free on-demand webinars are available for mental health professionals. Some training events provide certificates of completion.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
HealtheKnowledge HealtheKnowledge provides free online learning and low-cost continuing education for health and behavioral health professionals, with 270 courses and 21,519 training activities. An all-access membership is $50 per year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
HealthForum Online HealthForum Online’s goal is to provide cost-effective, accessible, and high-quality CE courses and credits to psychologists, counselors, social workers, marital and family therapists, and other healthcare professionals so they can meet their practice and professional needs. Free and low-cost CEs are available. An annual membership with unlimited CE access is $69/year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $9| NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Heisel & Associates | CEs for Social Workers, Counselors, Psychologists, & Marriage & Family Therapists Since 1984, Heisel and Associates has provided live and online courses for social workers, counselors, chemical dependency counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, rehabilitation counselors, employee assistance counselors, and school counselors. CE credits are available for as low as $4.99 per CE.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No| Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Hospice Foundation of America (HFA) | CE Programs On-Demand HFA educates the public and healthcare professionals about death, dying, and grief. Self-study programs for professionals cost around $25.95; members receive a discount. (An HFA membership is $70 per year.) Upcoming live presentations can be viewed here.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Human Givens College | Online Courses | Both on-demand and live online mental health courses are offered. These trainings are suitable for CPD or personal interest; each course is packed with evidence-based information, tips, and techniques. There are several free and low-cost options available. Human Givens College is accredited in the UK; CPD certificates are awarded.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Illuminated Education | Continuing Education Activities for Mental Health Professionals Illuminated Education provides educational activities designed for people who are interested in issues related to psychology, healing, and other aspects of human thought, feeling, and behavior. The goal is to present up-to-date, thought-provoking content integrating material from psychology and other fields including (but not limited to) mind-body medicine, mindfulness practice, and eastern and shamanic approaches to health and healing. CEs are offered for reading a journal article or other publication and then passing a test. Fees range from $10 (for one CE) to $90 (for nine CEs). Illuminated Education is an APA-approved CE provider.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Indiana Prevention Resource Center (IPRC) | Training Portal IPRC offers education and training coordination, facilitation, and resources, including webinars, online modules, in-person trainings, and working sessions. CEUs for online modules are available for purchase from IU Expand upon course completion. There are free CE trainings available as well.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Indian Country ECHO | Resource Library In 2003, the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model was developed by a physician at the University of New Mexico to increase rural clinicians’ ability to treat hepatitis C. Indian Country ECHO continues to expand American Indian and Alaska Native peoples’ access to high-quality specialized care. The resource library can be searched for past presentations and CE trainings, or, upcoming sessions on substance abuse can be viewed here. The sessions are intended for physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, nurses, behavioral health staff, chemical dependency counselors, peer support specialists, medical assistants, and wellness coaches. CME, CNE, and CPE credits are offered.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Indian Health Service | Upcoming Webinars Indian Health Services’ mission is to raise the physical, mental, social, and spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska Natives to the highest level. Webinars are free and there is no cost to register or participate. CEs are available for social workers and medical professionals. Archived webinars (no CEs) can be accessed here and Indian Children’s Program webinars can be viewed here.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Institute for Creative Mindfulness Institute for Creative Mindfulness believes that transformation is facilitated through honoring the person-centered values of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence. Several free on-demand courses are available, some offering CEs.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Institute for Human Services (IHS) | Training IHS’s core work involves assessing organizational and system practices; building staff capacity through education, training, coaching and technical support; and helping organizations navigate barriers and create structures that enable them to better protect and serve children and strengthen families. Free courses with CEs are offered for a small fee for social workers and psychologists.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $7.50 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Institute for Psychological Advancement (IPA) | Courses IPA offers continuing education courses for professional counselors, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, addiction counselors, and psychologists. 25+ courses are available, including low-cost CE courses starting at $15 (for one contact hour).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Institute on Violence, Abuse, & Trauma (IVAT) | Course Catalog IVAT condemns violence and oppression in all its forms. They stand with all who work for equality and peace. IVAT offers 20+ low-cost on-demand NBCC-approved CE courses (starting at $20). Upcoming live courses can be accessed here.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Integrative Trauma Treatment Center (ITTC) | Asynchronous Education ITTC provides an integrative approach to working with trauma. Their online learning courses are sold a la cart (starting at $12.99 for one contact hour) or free for members. Currently, only four training sessions are available, but new courses are added regularly.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $12.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
International Association of Marriage & Family Counselors (IAMFC) | Upcoming Events IAMFC is a division of the American Counseling Association and was chartered in 1989. IAMFC embraces a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of families served. IAMFC offers live webinar events for $10 (free for members). Membership is $60 per year.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) | Mental Health Education Series ICSA provides information on cults, cultic groups, psychological manipulation, psychological abuse, spiritual abuse, brainwashing, mind control, thought reform, abusive churches, high-demand groups, new religious movements, exit counseling, and practical suggestions for those needing assistance. ICSA’s mental health education series for professionals features different clinicians discussing relevant topics. CE events are free; donations are appreciated. A membership is $50 per year and includes access to ICSA’s members-only library.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: No
International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) | On-Demand Webinar Revamp The mission of IOCDF is to ensure that no one affected by OCD and related disorders suffers alone. IOCDF provides up-to-date education and resources, strengthens community engagement, delivers quality professional training, and advances groundbreaking research. Low-cost on-demand CE trainings are provided for licensed mental health providers. Each webinar costs $30 per CE unit; members receive a 20% discount.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $30 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
J&K Seminars | Homestudy Program Established in 1990, J&K Seminars is the family business of Judi & Ken Ralph, offering high-quality CE programs at affordable prices. Recorded seminars are made into homestudy/distance learning programs, with several low-cost sessions available (starting at $30 per training). For upcoming live seminars, click here.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: No
Jen Taylor Play Therapy Services | All Courses Jen Taylor is a social worker, therapist, teacher, and writer. She collaborates with leaders in the play therapy field to provide trainings on foundational play therapy theory and practical, effective applications. The online training collection features several free CE trainings for counselors.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) | JSSA Training JSSA is a trusted health and social wellness agency that supports families and individuals by helping people with disabilities find meaningful jobs, caring for older adults, and offering dignity and comfort to hospice patients. JSSA offers professional training focused on everything from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) practices to palliative care. The training institute occasionally offers free CE trainings.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Judith Barr | Home Study Courses Judith Barr is a mental health therapist, financial counselor, and writer; she offers four homestudy courses on trauma and healing, starting at $15.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No| Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Laban’s Addiction-Specific Trainings Founded in 1996, Laban’s Trainings has provided quality distance-learning trainings nationwide to satisfy the continuing education requirements for behavioral healthcare professionals, LPCs, and certified/licensed drug and alcohol counselors. Course selections are diverse and updated regularly to reflect current research findings. All trainings are text-based; course materials can be downloaded or mailed. Courses start at $40 (for four contact hours).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $8 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Learn Sex Therapy | Free Courses Learn Sex Therapy was created to provide the highest quality training in human sexuality for mental health professionals and healthcare providers. Currently, there are three free CE trainings available.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center The Education Center specializes in providing national training and technical assistance (T/TA) to health centers in order to optimize access to quality healthcare for LGBTQIA+ populations. Training courses are aimed at healthcare professionals and organizations. Some courses are eligible for CME credits.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina (LCCNC) | Homestudy Courses LCCNC promotes the development of LCMHCs through professional excellence and advocacy. In order to contribute to the continuing education and professional development of LCMHCs, LCCNC holds webinars, regional trainings, and hosts regional workshops throughout the year. On-demand courses, starting at $10, are available to both members and non-members; members receive a discount. (Click here for upcoming live events.) An annual membership is $150 for professionals or $40 for students.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Mad in America Continuing Education Mad in America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve as a catalyst for remaking mental health in the United States and abroad. Mad in America offers free and low-cost courses; only a few of the courses provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Maryland Behavioral Health Online Training MD Behavioral Health is an online training site hosted by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Free trainings are offered to individuals interested in supporting the behavioral health of youth and their families.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) | Upcoming Events MCA’s mission is to promote public confidence and trust in the counseling profession, and to influence policies that affect professional counselors and the welfare of the diverse clients. MCA supports professional counselors and counselors-in-training through a variety of professional development opportunities and support services. Upcoming trainings are offered regularly; some provide CEs. Members receive a discount. An annual membership is $70 (or $30 for students).
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $35 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Mass General Brigham at McLean | Professional Development For nearly 200 years, McLean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, has been providing professional education and resources for a wide range of mental health care professionals. Continuing education opportunities include live events, on-demand trainings, lecture series, and a video library. Fees and CE offerings vary depending on the training event.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Mental Health Academy (MHA) Founded in 2007, MHA is a leading provider of online continuing education for mental health professionals. A subscription is required to access CE trainings. Currently, an annual subscription is $349 (or $39 monthly). Subscribers gain access to 450+ CE courses; new courses are released every month.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Mental Health America (MHA) | MHA Webinars MHA advances the mental health and wellbeing of all people living in the US through public education, research, advocacy and public policy, and direct service. On-demand webinar recordings on mental health topics are available, some offering CEs. Click here to view live upcoming webinars.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Mental Health America (MHA) of Indiana Stan W. DeKemper Training Institute MHA of Indiana Training Institute offers low-cost CE trainings and educational opportunities for prevention, treatment and recovery professionals, advocates, and individuals who wish to enhance their understanding of behavioral health, including beginning or furthering their professional development in mental health and substance use.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Mental Health America (MHA) of the MidSouth MHA of the MidSouth provides CE trainings for social workers, therapists, counselors, attorneys, healthcare workers, and other professionals whose work involves mental health awareness. Currently, there are several free CE trainings available.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Mental Health Professionals’ Network (MHPN) | Webinars MHPN, an Australia-based organization that strives to improve interdisciplinary and collaborative care practices between mental health professionals, offers 100+ recorded webinars. (Live training events are also available.)
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network | Training & Events Calendar MHTTC Network supports resource development and dissemination, training and technical assistance, and workforce development for the mental health field. Services cover the full continuum spanning mental illness prevention, treatment, and recovery support.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $27 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Mindful CEUs | Continuing Education in Mental Health & Addiction Mindful Continuing Education is a premier CEU education provider for psychologists, therapists, counselors, and social workers. Currently, one free CE course is offered. Low-cost CEs are available starting at $6 per credit hour.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $6 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Mindful Ecotherapy Center, LLC | Courses Archive Mindful Ecotherapy Center trains mental health professionals and the general public in the skills of mindfulness-based ecotherapy. Several free courses are offered, including a suicide risk and prevention course. Other courses are available for a fee.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Mountain Plains Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center (MP ROTAC) | Events MP ROTAC was established to support opioid and stimulant prevention, treatment, and recovery in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Currently, MP ROTAC offers a modest collection of live and on-demand trainings.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
My CE Solution My CE Solution provides evidence-based quality continuing education for mental health professionals. Each CE credit costs $5. Currently, there are several free CE course offerings. Courses are added on a regular basis.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
MyCME | Free Online CME & CE for Physicians, NPs, PAs, & More MyCME provides healthcare professionals with relevant, engaging, and actionable education that positively impacts clinical performance and patient outcomes. Courses are aimed at medical professionals.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
NAR Associates | Counselor CEUs NAR Associates’ research-based homestudy courses are accepted worldwide by nearly 100 different credentialing bodies. Coursework is delivered either by mail or email. (Course outlines can be viewed here.) Each NBCC-approved CE course costs $45 (for six CE credits).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $7.50 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine |National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide expert advice on some of the most pressing challenges facing the nation and world. Throughout any given year, the National Academies convene hundreds of conferences, workshops, symposia, forums, roundtables, and other gatherings that attract the finest minds in academia and the public and private sectors. Some trainings may provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
National Alliance for Children’s Grief (NACG) | Events NACG is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the needs of children and teens who are grieving a death and provides education and resources for anyone who supports them. Live and recorded webinars are offered. Some trainings are free, while others are associated with a fee. CEs are available. All materials are free for members.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
National Association for Addiction Professionals | NAADAC Free Webinars NAADAC represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators, and other addiction-focused healthcare professionals in the United States, Canada, and abroad. NAADAC offers free addiction-specific education through its Free Webinar Series. CE credits are free for members and cost $15 per credit hour for non-members. The cost of an annual membership for professionals varies by state, ranging from $85-$160.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation | Webinars NBCC Foundation offers two on-demand webinar series that can be accessed through CCE Academy: Building Professional Excellence and Innovations in Counseling: Working with Minority Populations. Additionally, The Professional Counselor (TPC), the official journal of NBCC, is also accessible through CCE Academy. Learners can earn CE hours (starting at $5) by completing short assessments based on articles in TPC.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
National Center for PTSD | Continuing Education National Center for PTSD provides free training materials as well as information and tools to help mental health practitioners with assessment and treatment. Currently, there are several free CE offerings.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
National Center on Substance Abuse & Child Welfare (NCSACW) NCSACW is a national resource center providing information, expert consultation, training, and technical assistance to child welfare, dependency court, and substance use treatment professionals to improve the safety, permanency, wellbeing, and recovery outcomes for children, parents, and families. Currently, there are three online tutorials that offer free CE credits, including NAADAC-approved CEs. NCSACW also offers a variety of videos and webinars.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
National Children’s Advocacy Training Center (NCACvtc) | Online Courses NCAC models, promotes, and delivers excellence in child abuse response and prevention through service, education, and leadership. NCACvtc offers engaging, relevant, and high-quality online CE trainings that are free for child abuse professionals, multidisciplinary team members, and students around the globe. Click here for archived webinar recordings.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) | Training NCTSN was created to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events. NCTSN offers both online and in-person trainings on a range of topics, from general trauma education, to assessment and intervention techniques, to a Breakthrough Series Collaboratives focused on systems change. 300+ free CE certificates are available.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
National Child Welfare Workforce Institute (NCWWI) National Child Welfare Workforce Institute’s purpose is to develop and support a child welfare workforce that can equitably meet the needs of the most vulnerable children and families. Click here for live, upcoming webinar events. Click here to learn about leadership modules and here for online training. Certificates of completion are provided.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) | Relias Course List NCMW and Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions offer 50 free courses through Relias, an NBCC-approved CE provider. To access the courses, learners must sign up for a free Relias account using these instructions (with the registration code: NCBH). Learners should update their account with their professional license information. CE credits are provided upon course completion and passing an exam.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
National Gender-Based Violence Learning Community (NGBVLC) NGBVLC is a partnership of national training and technical assistance organizations working together to end gender-based violence. As a part of the NGBVLC, mental health professionals can view different training courses and earn credits towards continuing education goals; CE subscriptions are available for purchase starting at $300 for 20 credits. On-demand courses are available in English and Spanish.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: No
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) | Health Professions Education NIDA’s mission is to advance science on drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. NIDA offers free CME/CE trainings and other resources for mental health professionals.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
National Training & Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) for Child, Youth, & Family Mental Health NTTAC is a grant-funded initiative from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services. NTTAC offers an array of learning events at no cost to participants, including mental health professionals, primary care providers, peers, educators, systems leaders, and other youth-serving professionals. Some offerings may include CE credits.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Net CE Net CE offers free and low-cost CE courses for counselors and other mental health professionals. All course content can be viewed for free. Learners must pass an exam to earn CE credits. Currently, there are no unlimited CE memberships offered, but there are discounts are available.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
New Hampshire Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors Association (NHADACA) | Webinar Library NHADACA’s webinar library contains over 50 webinars on substance use and recovery-related topics. Webinars are free for anyone to view without a certificate and $15 for non-members for CE hours. (CEs are free for NHADACA members.) A professional membership is $115.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $7.50 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) | Courses & Events NC AHEC’s mission is to provide and support educational activities and services with a focus on primary care in rural communities and those with less access to resources to recruit, train, and retain the workforce needed to create a healthy North Carolina. The course catalog can be filtered and searched by discipline or credit type. Free and low-cost CE trainings are available.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Counseling | Webinars NCCU’s Counselor Education Program provides approximately 6-8 webinars per academic year. All webinars are live, online events. Attendance is free; to obtain a certificate of participation for continuing education purposes, the cost is usually around $15 per event and must be purchased in advance of the start of the event.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
North Central Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (NCACES) | Webinars The purpose of NCACES is to advance counselor education and supervision in the ACES North Central region in order to improve the provision of counseling services in all settings. Currently, NCACES offers a free CE webinar series. Webinars are at 1pm ET / 12pm CT on the second Friday of each month.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: No
Northeast & Carribean Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center (Nec-ROTAC) The purpose of NeC-ROTAC is to develop and disseminate training and technical assistance addressing opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders affecting rural communities in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. Some of the free online training events offer complimentary CE hours.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Northwest Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Collaborative (NW ROTA C) | On-Demand Online Training NW ROTA C is a partnership between Washington State University’s Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery and Oregon State University’s Coast to Forest with the goal of developing and disseminating training and technical assistance (TTA) to rural communities for prevention, treatment, and recovery from opioid misuse. On-demand and live training events are available. Some events may provide CEs.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Office for Victims of Crime Training & Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) OVC TTAC is the gateway to current training and technical assistance for victim service providers and allied professionals who serve crime victims. OVC offers online interactive training in a wide variety of subject areas. The National Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) provides an intensive, interactive learning experience to develop and promote professional skills and knowledge for victim service providers. All NVAA trainings are free of charge and provide CE credits to mental health professionals.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Oklahoma State University (OSU) Center for Health Sciences Continuing Medical Education | Project ECHO Project ECHO is a revolutionary guided-practice model that reduces health disparities in under-served and remote areas of the state, nation, and world. OSU Project ECHO offers free and convenient continuing education credits for attending an ECHO session. Currently, there are nine upcoming training offerings.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Omni Inventive Care | Trainings Omni is a community-integrated behavioral health organization that serves children and families with significant impairments in Nebraska. Both free and for-a-fee webinars (starting at $19.99 per CEU) are offered on a variety of topics.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Online CE Credits is therapist-owned and managed, providing nationally-approved CE trainings for mental health professionals. Online CE Credits offers high quality, engaging content from well-respected experts in counseling and psychology who are recognized worldwide through their writings, teachings, and media publications. On-demand and live low-cost courses are available, starting at $10. An unlimited access membership is $34.99 per month.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Online CEU Credit The Healthcare Training Institute located at OnLineCEUCredit.com provides continuing education courses for psychologists, social workers, counselors, and MFTs that are easy, fast, and affordable. All courses can be accessed for free; CEs are available for a fee. Courses start at $9.95 (with 30% discount).
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $8 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
PESI | Continuing Education Classes Online PESI is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate and instruct the general public, public organizations, private industry, students, and professionals. PESI provides cutting-edge continuing education to professionals across the nation. Occasionally, PESI offers free online courses, live webinars, and text-based learning opportunities. Certificates are available for a fee.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: N/A | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Portland DBT (PDBT) Institute | L(earn) Over Lunch PDBT Institute offers a free CE webinar series. Learn and Earn over Lunch is an opportunity to earn free NBCC-approved continuing education credits from outstanding trainers. Live webinars are scheduled from noon to 1:00 p.m. PT the second Wednesday of every month; registration is required.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network | Training & Events Calendar The purpose of PTTC Network is to improve implementation and delivery of effective substance use prevention interventions, and provide training and technical assistance services to the substance misuse prevention field. Upcoming and on-demand training events are offered; some may provide free CE credits.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Pro Bono Counseling (PBC) | Continuing Education PBC is a nonprofit corporation founded with the goal of connecting uninsured and under-insured low-income Marylanders with compassionate and qualified mental health professionals who provide care on a volunteer basis at no cost. Free CE trainings are provided for volunteers, but all clinicians and constituents are invited to attend for a nominal registration fee. Currently, there are five upcoming training events available.
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Professional Development Resources (PDR) PDR provides on-demand continuing education courses for healthcare professionals. PDR offers online, video, and audio learning opportunities. Counseling CE courses start at $7 for one contact hour. Free courses are occasionally offered to email subscribers; it’s free to subscribe.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $14 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Program Services Continuing Education for Mental Health Professionals Program Services offers continuing education programs for professionals in psychology, mental health, social work, marriage and family, behavioral health, addictions, and more. Courses are offered as live seminars, online webinars, or web-based classes.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Providers Clinical Support System (PCSS) PCSS is a program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) created in response to the opioid overdose epidemic to train primary care providers in the evidence-based prevention and treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD) and treatment of chronic pain. Free trainings are offered in multiple formats; many provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
PsychAlive | CE Webinars PsychAlive offers a collection of low-cost CE webinars for mental health professionals. The average fee for a 90-minute recorded webinar is $15. CEs can be purchased for an additional cost, starting at $5 per CE credit.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Psycharmor Psycharmor is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader and preferred training provider for military cultural awareness that serves members of the military-connected community and anyone who wants to more effectively engage with them. 250+ military culture educational products are offered for healthcare providers, Veterans, employers, military family members, caregivers, and more. The online e-learning laboratory is free for individual learners. Some courses provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
PsychU PsychU is a free community and online resource library for mental health with 200+ on-demand webinars. For virtual upcoming live events, click here. Certificates of attendance are provided for each training session.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Quantum Units Education | Free CEUs Quantum Units Education is a trusted CE provider serving CEs to over 150,000 licensed and credentialed professionals since 2005. Quantum Units Education offers CE courses, books, and videos. Currently, two free CE courses are available. An unlimited CE membership is $74.95 per year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Quitlogix Education | Quitlogix Education for Minnesota Providers These trainings benefit anyone who serves people who use commercial tobacco, from healthcare professionals to social workers to school staff. There are no pre-requisites and there is no fee to participate in the modules or to receive a certificate.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Region V Training Catalog & Continuing Education (CE) Region V Public Health Training Center (RVPHTC) seeks to advance the skills of the current and future public health workforce to improve population health outcomes. All course content is available for free. Most CEs cost a small fee ($3/credit hour) to obtain; some trainings provide CEs for free.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $3 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Renfrew Center | Professional Events Renfrew Center’s treatment approach for eating disorders has earned national and international recognition, and integrates a transdiagnostic, evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral approach while remaining grounded in relational-cultural principles. Renfrew Center hosts live virtual events for professionals, some of which offer free CE credits.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Restorative Counseling Services (RCS), LLC | Lunch & Learn RCS’s mission is to provide innovative and exciting learning experiences by delivering skills and knowledge to clinicians to enhance the effectiveness of the counseling experience. Lunch and Learn is a live webinar series that provides low-cost NBCC-approved CE credits ($11 per contact hour).
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $11 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Rogers Behavioral Health | Free Webinar Series Rogers Behavioral Health offers free live, interactive webinars for psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, and other healthcare professionals who work in clinical settings throughout the country. Registration is required and participants must be logged in for the entire program to receive CE credits.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
The Ross Center | Trainings & Workshops The Ross Center is committed to offering professional development and continuing education opportunities to mental health providers and other health professionals. Low-cost APA and other CE credits are available.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $25 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
SAMHSA | Practitioner Training SAMHSA offers tools, training, and technical assistance to practitioners in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders. Some training courses may provide free CEs.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
Santé Center for Healing | Upcoming Events The mission of Santé Center for Healing is to address addictive behaviors and associated conditions with an integrated addiction treatment model, drawing from traditional and innovative approaches. Santé Center provides free CE live webinars for healthcare professionals.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Sheppard Pratt | Courses Sheppard Pratt is the largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health, substance use, developmental disability, special education, and social services in the country. They offer a robust continuing education program with dozens of educational opportunities for physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and counselors each year. The course catalog can be filtered and searched to access free CE trainings and events.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
SMI Advisor SMI Advisor’s mission is to advance the use of a person-centered approach to care that ensures people who have SMI (serious mental illness) find the treatment and support they need. SMI Advisor provides education, data, and consultations for clinicians. Both on-demand and live courses are offered. Free CE credits are available for psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
SocialWork.Career | Free Webinars Archives Every month, SocialWork.Career posts a list of free webcasts for mental health professionals. Webinar categories include addiction, advocacy/anti-racism, aging/caregiving, career, child welfare, clinical practice, and self-care. Most, but not all, webcasts provide free CEs.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: N/A | Member Discount: N/A
Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, & Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) SAIGE’s mission is to advocate for the voice, equity, and inclusion of LGBTGEQIAP+ persons within the counseling profession and beyond and to promote the professional development of counselors and related professionals to ensure that all LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals receive ethical, culturally-inclusive, liberating services that attend to all aspects of their intersectional identities. SAIGE offers low-cost online courses, starting at $30 (for two CE credits). Members receive a discounted rate ($20 for two CE credits). A professional membership is $62 per year.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Society of Clinical Psychology (SCP) | Webinar Recordings SCP promotes the integration of clinical psychological science and practice in education, research, application, advocacy, and public policy. SCP offers several free webinar recordings; others are available for $10 for non-members (or $40 for CE credits). Continuing education opportunities are free for members; an annual membership for professionals is $65.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $40 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: Yes
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
South East Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC) | Courses & Events SEAHEC provides and supports educational activities and services with a focus on primary care in rural communities and those with less access to resources to recruit, train, and retain the workforce needed to create a healthy North Carolina. The course catalog can be filtered and searched to find free CE trainings.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
SpeedyCEUS SpeedyCEUs was developed as a result of the personal experiences of professionals obtaining continuing education. Over 30 NBCC-approved CE courses are available, starting at $10. Course content can be viewed for free.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Spiritual Competency Academy Spiritual Competency Academy offers over 30 unique online courses for mental health professionals that provide the skills and knowledge to become more spiritually competent. The foundational curriculum starts with a course on how to conduct an evidence-based and spiritually sensitive spiritual assessment. Other courses cover a wide variety of topics including self-compassion, mindfulness, and forgiveness. All courses are free to enroll in (after registering for a free account); APA-approved CEs are offered for a fee (averaging around $10 per credit hour).
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: No
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Studio CE Studio CE provides low-cost continuing education trainings for mental health professionals at $2.99 per CE. Unlimited CE memberships are also available for $42.99 for 6 months or $69.99 for a year.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $2.99 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Summit BHC | Networking & Educational Events Summit BHC’s primary focus is on the provision of psychiatric services and substance use disorder treatment within a flexible and dynamic continuum of care. Summit BHC hosts a number of networking and educational events throughout the year; low-cost and free live trainings are available.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Telehealth Certification Institute | Free CEUS Telehealth Certification Institute provides healthcare organizations and clinicians with ethical, legal, technological, and clinical framework for conducting telehealth sessions effectively. CE courses, webinars, and workbooks are provided. Telehealth Certification Institute offers regular free webinars and continuing education opportunities for telehealth professionals. An unlimited CE subscription is currently offered for $197 per year.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $20 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Tennessee Counseling Association | Monthly Trainings Live virtual trainings for mental health professionals are offered on a monthly basis. CE trainings are free for members and $10 for non-members (for 1.5 CE credits). A professional membership is $95 per year.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $7 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
The Therapy Show | Podcourses The Therapy Show with Lisa Mustard offers low-cost CE podcourses. Each podcourse can be purchased for $14 for one CE credit or $38 for all podcasts.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $14 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Therapy Trainings | On-Demand CEs Therapy Trainings offers nearly 50 NBCC and NAADAC-approved continuing education courses. New graduates are eligible for free CEs for a year. An unlimited CE membership is $75 per year. Courses can be previewed at no cost.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
TRAIN Learning Network | CDC CDC TRAIN is a gateway into the TRAIN Learning Network, the most comprehensive catalog of public health training opportunities. TRAIN is a free service for learners from the Public Health Foundation. Over 1,000 public health training opportunities, many offering free CEs, are available.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: N/A | Member Discount: N/A
Trauma Support Services | Free On-Demand Webinars The mission of Trauma Support Services of North Texas is to provide personalized, compassionate care for those affected by trauma. TSSNT also provides education and training for professionals, volunteers, interns, and the general public who come in contact with trauma survivors and their families. On-demand CE webinar recordings are available at no-cost.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Trusted Provider Network (TPN) | Health TPN.health is a national, interactive platform of behavioral health professionals with advanced continuing education opportunities, all aimed at improving clinical outcomes. On-demand and live CE courses are offered; there are both free and low-cost CE opportunities.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Tucson Counseling Associates | Continuing Education Tucson Counseling facilitates workshops and training for professionals interested in working with clients in queer and ethically non-monogamous relationships as well as psychedelic integration and ketamine assisted psychotherapy. They offer live CE webinars for mental health professionals.
Courses Offered: N/A | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20| NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
TZK Recorded Webinars TZK offers on-demand trainings for mental health professionals. The first purchase is free with the promo code: tzkfree. Live webinars are also available.
Courses Offered: 200-499 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $20| NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Courses Offered: 1-9 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: No | Member Discount: N/A
University of South Alabama | Mental Health Ground Rounds Mental Health Grand Rounds is a weekly topic- and case-based presentation by members of the community. Topics and cases are selected to provide up-to-date knowledge about timely issues in mental health. Some of the recordings may provide CE credits.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Veritas Collaborative | Continuing Education Veritas Collaborative is committed to treating all people with eating disorders, of any gender and any age, and removing barriers to care. For professionals, Veritas Collaborative offers free CE trainings on eating disorders and related topics. Recorded webinars are also available.
Courses Offered: 10-24 | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Vista Continuing Education Vista provides low cost continuing education for mental health professionals. A one-price package can be purchased for $99.
Courses Offered: 50-99 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $5 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: Yes
Wake AHEC (Area Health Education Center) Continuing Education Continuing education for healthcare professionals is one of the fundamental services of Wake AHEC and is accomplished by a team of educational specialists and meeting planners with a wide range of clinical and business expertise.
Courses Offered: 500+ | Free CEs: Yes | Average Cost per CE: Free | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
YOURCEUS.com The mission of Your CEUs is to identify the most important educational needs and develop courses that will enhance the knowledge and skills of the professionals served.
Courses Offered: 25-49 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $10 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
Zur Institute | Courses Zur Institute offers over 120 unique courses for psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, professional counselors, and other mental health professionals. Live and on-demand low-cost CE courses are available. Currently, there are no unlimited memberships, but Zur offers discounts and bundles.
Courses Offered: 100-199 | Free CEs: No | Average Cost per CE: $15 | NBCC-Accredited: Yes | Member Discount: N/A
CBT-I Webinar Recording | A Pain in the Mind This is a recorded webinar for professionals on using CBT for insomnia. A Pain in the Mind is Sue Peacock’s professional site for CBT, hypnotherapy, and more.
Early Intervention in Psychosis: A Primer | National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors This course is designed for professionals in diverse settings who work with teens and young adults and who are interested in learning about: the early warning signs of psychosis; appropriate early intervention treatment and supports; and strategies for successfully engaging youth in effective, recovery-oriented care.
Healing Shame in Individuals & Couples | Center for Healing Shame This is a 1-hour introductory workshop on healing shame from the Center for Healing Shame. The Center for Healing Shame’s mission is to serve the community by training therapists, coaches, ministers, nurses, teachers and other helping professionals how to work with shame. Click here for additional live and on-demand workshops.
Official EFT Tutorial This is the official instruction pack for EFT’s tapping form, a simple step-by-step instruction. This is a text- and video-based resource.
Racialized Trauma Course | Cultural Somatics Training Institute This is a free 5-session course from Cultural Somatics Training Institute. The Training Institute provides online education designed to challenge practitioners and foster a “fortified mindset.”
SimplePractice Learning delivers engaging, relevant and actionable continuing education with live and on-demand courses taught by clinical experts. SimplePractice Learning free courses:
African American Behavioral Health Center for Excellence (AABH CoE)| Recorded Webinars AABH CoE works to make behavioral health and healthcare equitable and effective for African American individuals, families, and communities. AABH CoE’s resource library includes a collection of webinar recordings for mental health professionals and other learners.
Behavioral Tech Institute | DBT Knowledge Center Founded in 1997, Behavioral Tech Institute (BTECH) operates with the mission to bring evidence-based treatment to every community worldwide, when, where, and how they need it. BTECH empowers people to experience lives worth living by cultivating collaborative partnerships worldwide to implement evidence-based interventions. BTECH offers expertly curated DBT-related information and resources for mental health professionals and others.
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) | Professionals Videos CAMH is Canada’s largest mental health teaching hospital and one of the world’s leading research centres in its field. CAMH Professionals Videos on YouTube provide mental health clinicians with information on screening for, assessing, and treating mental illness, including substance use concerns. Currently, there are over 200 video offerings.
CCI | Mental Health Resources for Clinicians: CBT Demonstration Videos Centre for Clinical Interventions developed a number of videos to demonstrate the use of CBT strategies. These videos are designed solely for educational purposes, to supplement the professional development and training needs of qualified mental health professionals.
Center for Evidence to Practice | Special Populations Training: LGBTQIA+ The Center identified, interviewed, and previewed trainings from several national and local subject matter experts, with the goal to identify consultants/trainers to train mental health practitioners. The video recordings and accompanying handouts are available for free.
Contemporary Institue of Clinical Sexology (CICS) | Courses CICS’s programmes were developed to provide a high-quality learning experience in preparation for ethical, professional, robust, research-based practice in the field of sex and relationship psychotherapy. Several free courses are available.
DBT Bites | Learn DBT Online for Free DBT Bites offers a showcase of free dialectical behavior therapy videos from expert therapists and professional researchers.
Doc Snipes | YouTube Dr. Snipes has her PhD in counseling and has been licensed since 2002. Video topics include mental health awareness, depression, anxiety, attachment, addiction, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more to provide resources for recovery, treatment, and CEUs.
E4 Center | Webinars E4 Center records all continuing educations sessions and offers them on-demand one week after the initial training. E4 Center’s mission is to engage, empower, and educate healthcare providers and community-based organizations for equity in behavioral health for older adults and their families.
Gambling, Gaming, & Technology Use (GGTU) | Webinars GGTU develops and delivers online courses and webinars to provide mental health and addictions service providers with the latest information on evidence-informed practices for the identification and treatment of problem gambling and other behavioural addictions including problem technology use.
Glassner Institute for Choice Theory | Making Sense of ItMaking Sense of It is a free webinar series. Each week, a member presents insights and experiences in choice theory. Topics include a wide range of areas from career growth, grief counseling parenting unruly teens, managing diversity in the workplace, weight loss, dating, dealing with difficult people among others. These presentations take place Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. ET.
Glassner Institute for Choice Theory | Reality Therapy CornerReality Therapy Corner is a weekly webinar series for conversations on the practice of reality therapy and more. These informal discussions can benefit anyone in a helping relationship and take place the fourth Tuesday of each month at 12 noon ET.
Integrative Psychiatry Institute (IPI) | Podcast IPI trains mental health providers to resolve underlying causes of mental illness, so clients/patients can go beyond symptom reduction and attain a state of wellness. The IPI podcast, Higher Practice, is free.
International Association for Resilience & Trauma Counseling (IARTC) | Free Webinars IARTC’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people and communities worldwide by promoting the development of professional counselors; by advancing the ideals of the American Counseling Association, the counseling profession, and the ethical practice of counseling through trauma-informed practices; and, by nurturing respect for human dignity, cultural inclusivity, and resilience. IARTC offers a series of four free webinars to the first 100 people to register.
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies | Free Recordings International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies is dedicated to sharing information about the effects of trauma and the discovery and dissemination of knowledge about policy, program and service initiatives that seek to reduce traumatic stressors and their immediate and long-term consequences.
Just Detention International | Webinars Just Detention International is a health and human rights organization that seeks to end sexual abuse in all forms of detention. Archived webinars can be accessed for free.
The Knowledge Tree | Free Mini-Courses The Knowledge Tree is a woman-owned and operated small business that provides continuing education for mental health professionals. The Knowledge Tree offers several free mini-courses.
Learning for Justice | Webinars Learning for Justice webinars offer helpful guidance from experienced teaching and learning specialists and from innovative educators in the Learning for Justice community. Learning for Justice’s mission is to be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.
Menninger Clinic | Mind Dive PodcastMind Dive is a twice monthly podcast for mental health professionals that examines dilemmas faced by clinicians who work with challenging clients and explores the latest research and other trending topics on the minds of psychiatrists, psychologists, and others who are interested in the treatment and study of the mind.
Michigan Online | Racism & Anti-Racism in America This is an online collective to help learners understand how racism and anti-racism affect all aspects of society, and learn ways to contribute to dismantling systemic racism in America.
National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma, & Mental Health (NCDVTMH) | Webinars NCDVTMH promotes survivor-defined healing, liberation, and equity by transforming the systems that impact survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their families. Free online trainings are offered to increase access to NCDVTMH’s resources, training methods, and technical assistance.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism (NIAAA) | Events The mission of NIAAA is to generate and disseminate fundamental knowledge about the adverse effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder, across the lifespan. Live and on-demand webinars are free to view.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) | Meetings & Events NIDA’s mission is to advance science on drug use and addiction and to apply that knowledge to improve individual and public health. Live and on-demand webinars are free to view.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) | Meetings & Events NIMH’s mission is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Upcoming and recorded online lectures, trainings, conferences, and more can be viewed for free.
National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center (NMVVRC) | Webinars NMVVRC’s mission is to improve community preparedness and the nation’s capacity to serve victims recovering from mass violence through research, planning, training, technology, and collaboration. Recorded webinars can be viewed for free.
Niznik Behavioral Health | Webinars Niznik Behavioral Health is dedicated to challenging the stigmas around substance abuse disorders and providing educational resources. They offer a monthly webinar series for mental health professionals; all recordings can be viewed for free.
Psychotherapy Academy | Open Sections Psychotherapy Academy provides online training – practical and engaging education on evidence-based interventions – for mental health professionals. Open sections are free to explore and cover interventions including the magic wand, exposure hierarchy for trauma, introducing defusion exercises, and more.
SAMHSA | Two Spirit Webinars These Tribal Technical Training Assistance Center webinars address topics related to Two Spirit and transgender identities in tribal communities.
SAMHSA | Youth & Family Webinars Recordings of Tribal Technical Training Assistance Center webinars on the wellbeing of tribal youth and families are archived here.
Sands | Open Access Webinars Sands offers several free webinars every month. They are facilitated live by a specialist trainer for any professional who works with those affected by baby loss. Certificates of attendance are available upon request.
Simply Psychology | Self-Care, Theories, Famous Studies, & More Simply Psychology is an educational website that provides informative articles, images, and videos on academic theories in psychology, research methodology, and the science of wellbeing, including mental health and relationships.
Social Thinking | Free Webinars Social Thinking offers free webinar recordings taught by Social Thinking experts, covering core concepts in social, emotional, and academic learning (SEAL). Each dynamic 90-minute training webinar explores practical ideas, strategies and tools for supporting social learners across a variety of SEAL topics, including stress management, social anxiety, executive functioning, social observation, self-regulation, and more.
Swinburne | Webinars Swinburne’s free webinars are suitable for clinicians, researchers, trainees, students, aged care volunteers, aged care workers, families, and carers. They cover a wide range of issues related to working with older adults such as cognitive impairment, life-stage transitions, late-life emotional experiences, and psychosocial approaches for aged care residents and their families.
Theraplatform | Counseling Training This post provides a list of counseling training and certifications counselors should consider for learning different therapy types and approaches.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many aspects of our lives, including the field of mental health. AI-powered therapy apps and chatbots are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a convenient and accessible way to access AI counseling and mental health support. However, some people may be skeptical about the effectiveness of AI counseling.
While AI counseling has the potential to offer many benefits, it’s important to remember that the therapeutic alliance between therapist and client is essential for therapeutic growth. AI counseling may be a useful supplement to traditional therapy, but it can’t replace human connection.
In this article, I compare the responses of AI and humans to common questions about the counseling process. These questions are representative of the types of questions someone might have before starting therapy or while considering it.
The human participants are Lisa Martinez, an author who writes about mental health, and Micah Perkins, a licensed professional counselor and licensed alcohol and drug counselor at Oklahoma Counseling Institute. The non-human participant is Bard, Google’s AI experiment and chatbot, with no formal qualifications as a mental health provider and no experience in AI counseling.
AI Counseling vs. Human Therapist: Comparing AI-Generated Responses to Those of Humans
1. What are some of the benefits of counseling?
Lisa Martinez: One of the benefits of counseling is having an unbiased listener to talk to who has been trained by life experience and formal education to help me solve problems, draw conclusions, and obtain goals.
Bard: Counseling can offer a number of benefits, including:
Improved mental health: Counseling can help people to manage and improve their mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and stress.
Increased self-awareness: Counseling can help people to better understand themselves, their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Enhanced coping skills: Counseling can teach people how to cope with difficult emotions and situations in a healthy way.
Improved relationships: Counseling can help people to improve their relationships with others, including their partners, family, and friends.
Increased personal growth: Counseling can help people to achieve their personal goals and live a more fulfilling life.
2. What are some of the signs that a person may need counseling?
Lisa Martinez: Some signs that a person might need counseling could include being extremely anxious, not knowing where to turn to for help, feeling very sad and/or suicidal, and if they have experienced a recent trauma that they need to process, (even if they show no signs of being impacted by the trauma).
Micah Perkins: Depression, anxiety that negatively affects the person’s relationships, work, or overall general well-being. [Counselors] can use assessments such as the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) and the GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire) to assess severity of symptoms.
Bard: Here are some of the signs that a person may need counseling:
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed: If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed by your everyday life, counseling can help you to develop coping mechanisms and manage your stress levels.
Experiencing difficult emotions: If you are struggling with difficult emotions such as sadness, anger, anxiety, or guilt, counseling can help you to understand and process these emotions in a healthy way.
Having relationship problems: If you are struggling in your relationships with others, counseling can help you to communicate more effectively, resolve conflict, and build stronger relationships.
Going through a difficult life transition: If you are going through a difficult life transition, such as a divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one, counseling can help you to cope with change and adjust to your new situation.
Having mental health symptoms: If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), counseling can help you to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
3. What types of counseling are available?
Lisa Martinez: The types of counseling available include marital, employment, drug, family, and many others.
Micah Perkins: Different styles and approaches are infinite (schools, therapist’s own style) but delivery is typically done individually, family, couples, or group.
Bard: There are many different types of counseling available, each with its own focus and approach. Some of the most common types of counseling include:
Individual counseling: Individual counseling is a one-on-one relationship between a client and a therapist. It is used to address a wide range of issues, including mental health conditions, relationship problems, and life transitions.
Group counseling: Group counseling is a type of therapy that involves a therapist and a group of clients who are all working on similar issues. Group counseling can provide clients with support from others who are going through similar experiences, and it can help them to learn from each other.
Family counseling: Family counseling is a type of therapy that involves the entire family. It is used to address issues that are affecting the family as a whole, such as communication problems, conflict, and parenting challenges.
Couples counseling: Couples counseling is a type of therapy that involves two people in a romantic relationship. It is used to address issues that are affecting the relationship, such as communication problems, conflict, and intimacy challenges.
In addition to these general types of counseling, there are also many specialized types of counseling available.
4. What can a person expect from the counseling process?
Lisa Martinez: In the counseling process, a person can expect ethical, professional, HIPAA compliant care from the counseling individual. They can expect to receive paperwork during their initial visit and should also expect to answer many questions so that the counselor can learn about them to formulate a treatment/care plan.
Micah Perkins: A safe space to process thoughts and emotions, gain new insights, and learn new skills.
Bard: The counseling process can vary depending on the type of counseling you are receiving and the specific issues you are working on. However, in general, you can expect the following:
Initial assessment: During the first few sessions, your therapist will likely ask you about your background, your current situation, and your goals for counseling. They will also assess your mental health and well-being.
Treatment planning: Once your therapist has a better understanding of your needs, they will work with you to develop a treatment plan. This plan will outline the goals of your therapy and the specific steps that you and your therapist will take to achieve those goals.
Therapy sessions: Therapy sessions typically last for one hour and occur on a weekly or biweekly basis. During your therapy sessions, you will have the opportunity to talk to your therapist about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Your therapist will also provide you with support and guidance as you work through your challenges.
Evaluation: At regular intervals, your therapist will evaluate your progress and make adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.
Termination: When you and your therapist decide that you have achieved your goals for counseling, you will work together to develop a termination plan. This plan will help you to transition out of counseling and maintain the progress that you have made.
5. How long does counseling typically last?
Lisa Martinez: Counseling can last indefinitely. The length of time is determined by the therapist and/or the patient.
Micah Perkins: I actually have my own data that for myself it is 15 sessions average.
Bard: The length of counseling typically depends on the individual’s needs and goals. Some people may only need a few sessions to address a specific issue, while others may need longer-term counseling to address more complex issues.
According to the American Psychological Association, most people attend therapy for an average of 15 to 20 sessions. However, some people may need more or fewer sessions depending on their individual circumstances.
Here are some factors that can affect the length of counseling:
The type of counseling: Some types of counseling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), are designed to be short-term and focused on addressing specific problems. Other types of counseling, such as psychodynamic therapy, are designed to be longer-term and help people to understand and resolve underlying issues.
The severity of the problem: People with more severe problems may need longer-term counseling.
The individual’s progress: Some people make faster progress than others in therapy.
The individual’s commitment to therapy: People who are committed to therapy and willing to do the work are more likely to make progress and see results.
6. What are the signs that counseling is working?
Lisa Martinez: Some signs that counseling is working could be in changed behaviors, processing emotions and/or reactions to trauma, meeting goals, and improved mental health and wellness.
Micah Perkins: Decrease in negative emotions, improved wellbeing, and improved relationships. [Counselors] can use assessments such as the PHQ-9 and the GAD-7 to assess progress.
Bard: There are many signs that counseling is working. Some of the most common signs include:
Improved mood and emotions: People who are in successful therapy often report feeling happier, more optimistic, and less stressed.
Reduced symptoms of mental health conditions: Counseling can help people to manage and reduce the symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Increased self-awareness: Counseling can help people to better understand themselves, their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Improved coping skills: Counseling can teach people how to cope with difficult emotions and situations in a healthy way.
Improved relationships: Counseling can help people to improve their relationships with others, including their partners, family, and friends.
Increased life satisfaction: Counseling can help people to achieve their personal goals and live a more fulfilling life.
7. What are some of the challenges that people face in counseling?
Lisa Martinez: Some of the challenges people face in counseling in regard to patients include affordability, receiving unethical/unprofessional care from a counselor, the stigma of receiving counseling, lack of family support to continue counseling, lack of support by employer to continue counseling, or maintaining the ability to stick to a counseling schedule while also juggling their many responsibilities.
Micah Perkins: Difficulty in dealing with negative emotions and (unfortunately) finances.
Bard: Counseling can be a challenging experience for some people. Here are some of the challenges that people face in counseling:
Opening up to a therapist: Talking to a therapist about personal problems can be difficult, especially for people who are not used to sharing their feelings with others.
Facing difficult emotions: Counseling can bring up difficult emotions, such as sadness, anger, and guilt. It can be challenging to face these emotions, but it is important to do so in order to heal and grow.
Changing behavior: Counseling can help people to identify and challenge negative thoughts and behaviors. However, changing behavior can be difficult, and it takes time and effort.
Financial cost: Counseling can be expensive, and some people may not have insurance coverage for counseling services.
Availability of therapists: It can be difficult to find a qualified therapist who is available and affordable.
8. How can a person get the most out of counseling?
Lisa Martinez: A person can get the most out of counseling by having an open mind and adopting the mindset of being dedicated to their mental health and wellness.
Micah Perkins: By being active with the process. Willingness to discuss difficult emotions and doing homework assignments prescribed by the therapist.
Bard: Here are some tips on how to get the most out of counseling:
Be honest and open with your therapist. The more honest you are, the better your therapist can understand your situation and help you.
Be prepared to talk about difficult topics. Counseling can be challenging, but it is important to face your challenges head-on in order to heal and grow.
Be patient. It takes time to see results from counseling. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results.
Be active in your therapy. Don’t just sit back and let your therapist do all the work. Be engaged in the process and be willing to try new things.
Do your homework. Your therapist may give you homework assignments to help you practice what you are learning in therapy. It is important to complete these assignments in order to make the most of your counseling experience.
Be consistent with your appointments. It is important to attend your counseling appointments regularly. This will help you to stay on track and to make progress in your therapy.
Be honest with yourself. Counseling can be a powerful tool for growth and change. However, it is important to be honest with yourself about your progress and to be willing to make changes in your life.
Conclusion: AI Counseling or Human Therapist?
To conclude, Bard and the humans performed well in different areas. Bard was efficient and fast, providing factual information, while the humans were better at conveying care while providing personalized answers.
I believe that AI counseling has the potential to be a valuable tool for people who are seeking mental health support. However, it is important to use AI counseling responsibly and to be aware of its limitations.
Bard (on AI Counseling)
While the human responses were not as lengthy as Bard’s, they included things that only someone with experience in the field would think to mention. For example, Bard was able to quickly list potential outcomes of counseling, but Lisa provided a more personalized answer by sharing how talking to an unbiased individual with both life experience and formal training can be beneficial.
Regarding signs that a person might need counseling, Lisa mentioned trauma, stating that it’s possible a person may not show any signs of trauma, implying that mental health is complex and can be difficult to make sense of at times. Symptoms can manifest in unexpected ways, such as muscle tension, fatigue, etc. Bard simply said that a person with symptoms of PTSD might need counseling. Bard also tiptoed around suicidal ideation, while Lisa was clear that thoughts of suicide are a serious indicator that a person needs help. She also conveyed compassion when stating that counseling is for those who need help but don’t know where to turn.
AI counseling has the potential to complement traditional therapy and provide valuable support, especially for those who might not otherwise have access to mental health services. However, it should not be seen as a complete substitute for human-led therapy, especially in cases of serious mental health conditions where the expertise and empathy of trained professionals are crucial.
ChatGPT (on AI Counseling)
Micah, meanwhile, demonstrated his expertise in the field by providing examples of assessments used to measure the severity of symptoms and by sharing data from his practice on the length of counseling. In answering a different question, Micah mentioned that counseling provides a “safe space,” something that AI counseling can’t provide.
Bard’s answer to the question about the length of counseling was broad and factual, but it didn’t provide a realistic idea of what to expect. Lisa, on the other hand, was honest about the fact that counseling can sometimes be a lifelong process. Micah’s answer was more realistic, and it gave readers a better understanding of what to expect.
On potential challenges, Bard missed some of the biggest challenges, such as finding the time for therapy while juggling responsibilities, dealing with stigma, lack of support, and dealing with unethical or unqualified practitioners. Lisa, on the other hand, was transparent in her answers, mentioning all of these challenges.
AI counseling is a promising but also controversial field that requires careful and responsible development and implementation.
Bing (Microsoft’s Chatbot on AI Counseling)
Ultimately, Bard was efficient and provided factual information, but its answers lacked depth and nuance. Lisa and Micah, on the other hand, offered insights that would be difficult to find in a Google search. Their responses would be especially helpful for someone who is considering counseling for the first time.
In helping me edit this article, Bard, unprompted, offered this:
To answer your question, I think human therapists answered better than AI.
The human therapists were able to provide more personalized, nuanced, and informative answers. They were also able to share their own experiences and expertise, which AI cannot do.
However, I think AI has the potential to be a valuable tool for therapists. AI could be used to help therapists develop personalized treatment plans, track progress over time, and provide support to clients in between sessions.
Overall, I believe that human therapists and AI could work together to provide the best possible care to clients.
And what do you think? Who answered better: AI or humans? Would you be open to AI counseling? Leave your thoughts in a comment below!
Technology has become an essential part of our lives. We use smartphones and laptops on a daily basis to socialize, work, learn, and entertain ourselves. While technology may make our lives easier and more productive, it can also lead to “technostress,” a type of stress caused by technology.
Stress & Technology: Finding a Healthy Balance
This article will explore the causes and effects of technostress, and provide tips on how to manage it effectively and find a healthy balance with technology. It also includes two free printable handouts for healthy tech habits and stress management.
The Impact of Technology on Daily Life
Internet usage in the United States has grown significantly over the years, with the number of users increasing from 294.53 million in 2019 to 313.6 million in 2022. Over 90% of Americans have access to the Internet today. By 2028, it is estimated that there will be over 340 million Internet users in the US.
Technology has had a profound impact on our lives in terms of communication, information access, education, work, shopping, and entertainment. When used appropriately, technology makes our lives easier. Our smartphones can help us track emails, manage our bank accounts, access the news, and complete a wide range of other tasks.
Technology has revolutionized the way we do things and has become an essential part of our day-to-day activities. However, as a result, many of us are also experiencing technology-related stress.
Technostress: A Modern-Day Epidemic
The term technostress was coined in the 1980s by Craig Brod, an American psychologist, author of Technostress: The Human Cost of the Computer Revolution. Brod originally defined technostress as a disease caused by the inability to cope with new technology.
With the advancement of technology and the invention of new devices, technostress has acquired a new meaning. It is now more broadly defined as any negative impact that the use of tech can have on a person. This can include stress caused by information overload, the constant feeling of needing to be connected, and the difficulty of keeping up with the latest technological advances.
A 2015 study found that Facebook users felt compelled to use the site frequently due to FOMO (fear of missing out) and to maintain their relationships. In 2017, research indicated that the overuse of cell phones led to technostress, with negative consequences for health, work, and personal wellbeing. And in 2019, researchers found that social media users continued to use social platforms despite experiencing technostress, exhibiting excessive and compulsive behaviors, the same way someone with an addiction continues to use despite negative consequences.
What’s more, the COVID-19 pandemic has normalized remote work, which has led to an increase in the use of tech devices at home. A 2022 research study indicated that during the enforced remote work period, the use of technology for both work and personal purposes resulted in technostress.
How to Tell If You’re Experiencing Technostress
Technostress can have a significant impact on a person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional health. While the severity of symptoms will vary from person to person, common signs include:
Increased heartrate
Cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues
Muscle tension
Insomnia
Headache
Fatigue
Eyestrain
Skin disorders (i.e., dermatitis, psoriasis)
Irritability
Depression
Apathy
Changes in behavior
Technology-induced stress often coexits with other work-related problems, such as “workaholism” and burnout. It can also negatively impact work through decreased motivation and increased absenteeism. In its advanced stages, technostress can cause memory impairment.
Additionally, technostress can cause problems at home. In relationships, it can lead to conflict and disconnection because people with technostress may be irritable, withdrawn, and less likely to engage in social activities.
Technostress & the Importance of Balance
When is the last time you switched your cell phone to “off”? This “always on” culture and the overconsumption of digital media have led to problems such as Internet addiction and issues with work-life balance.
Think of the times when, instead of spending quality time with our loved ones or enjoying a well-deserved break, we’re glued to our phones, checking emails or scrolling mindlessly through our social media feeds. And with the shift to remote working, the line between work and life has blurred, giving our minds less time to rest.
Even kids and teens are significantly exposed to digital technology, which can lead to overstimulation and stress. This highlights the need for a healthy balance when using tech.
4 Strategies for Finding Balance in a Digital Age
To combat technology-induced stress and find a healthy balance, try these techniques:
1. Digital Detox
Being exposed to too much information can be stressful, especially if you’re using your devices the majority of the time. Taking a break from technology for a few days can help reduce stress and provide other benefits, such as improved sleep and mental health.
Here are a few tips to help you take a break:
Identify what you want to detox from: This could be certain devices, apps, websites, or activities. For example, you might want to reduce your use of social media or stop playing games on your phone.
Schedule a time away from screens: This could be for a few days, weeks, or even just a few hours each day. If you can’t be away from your devices for work, try to set aside specific times when you won’t use them, such as during lunchtime, after work, and before bed.
Turn off notifications: Notifications from your smartphone can distract you from your work, personal time, or sleep. Turning them off can help you focus on other tasks or get the rest you need.
Limit app usage: If you find yourself checking certain apps too often and want to break the habit, use your phone’s settings to limit your usage time.
Inform your family and friends: If you decide to do a digital detox, tell your family and friends beforehand so they know to contact you on your preferred channels.
2. Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques
Many of us spend too much time scrolling mindlessly through our social media feeds, putting off other tasks for later. We do this for many reasons, including procrastination, FOMO, or lack of self-control.
Unfortunately, aimless scrolling can make us feel stressed and anxious, especially if we consume negative or distressing content. Additionally, scrolling for large amounts of time can lead to burnout. Instead, we can choose to be mindful of the media we consume. This means slowing down and being intentional about what we search for.
Young people who are affected by technostress can also utilize stress management techniques to improve their mood. If you have children and teens, ask them to practice these strategies on a regular basis to help center themselves.
For example, if they are suffering from information overload, they can try guided imagery, a type of meditation where they visualize a peaceful place to calm their minds. They may also benefit from using stress management handouts and worksheets, such as the ones below, to learn how to manage and reduce stress.
If you find yourself overusing your devices every day, causing you to neglect other tasks, consider developing your time management skills. Here are some tips:
Identify your time usage: Track how much time you spend on each activity, including work, house chores, hobbies, rest, and technology use. You may find that you’re spending too much time on your devices.
Set boundaries between work and personal life: This means defining your work hours and reserving time for personal tasks, such as social media use. Avoid checking work emails or messages outside of work hours unless absolutely necessary.
Eat the frog: Prioritize the “frog,” the most important or challenging task on your to-do list. Completing this task first will help you avoid procrastination and free up your energy for other tasks.
4. Healthy Tech Habits
Establishing healthy tech habits can help you avoid technostress. You and your family will benefit from these; it’s a good idea to practice them often.
Identify tech-free zones: Designate certain areas in your home as “tech-free” spaces, such as the dinner table, bedroom, and bathroom.
Set aside technology-free time: Schedule tech-free activities throughout the week, such as playing sports, visiting the park, or spending time with family. This will help you reduce stress and prevent burnout.
Avoid bringing your phone to bed: Using your smartphone before bed can disrupt your sleep. Choose relaxing activities leading up to bedtime instead, such as taking a bath, journaling, or drinking lavender tea.
The Rewards of a Balanced Life
When we use technology wisely, it can benefit us in many ways, such as improving communication, providing easy access to information, making shopping convenient, enabling collaborative learning, and creating opportunities for remote work.
Finding a healthy balance when using technology can improve our quality of life and help us avoid physical and mental health problems, such as technology-induced stress. Additionally, being in control of our tech usage can help us achieve work-life balance, giving us more time for family, hobbies, relaxation, and self-care.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, technology is a powerful tool that can be used to enrich our lives and make them easier. However, it is important to use technology in a healthy and balanced way. The overconsumption of digital media can have negative consequences for our physical and mental health, as well as our relationships and work-life balance.
Finding a healthy balance with technology starts with being mindful of how we use our devices. By following the strategies in this article, we can develop a healthier relationship with technology and use it to enhance our lives, not detract from them. This way, we can enjoy the benefits of technology without letting it control us.
About the Author:
Michael is a licensed clinical social worker with a private therapy practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He specializes in helping children and teens with mental health concerns. He is passionate about providing effective and compassionate care. He is an advocate for mental health awareness, and is the founder of Mental Health Center Kids, a website that provides resources and support for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals who care for children and teens.
Kindness calendars are a great resource for making a difference in someone’s life while helping you to feel happier. They can be used at home, in the workplace to boost morale, or, if you’re a mental health clinician, with clients who struggle with low self-esteem, depression, or anxiety.
Here are a few sample tips from three different kindness calendars:
Find a new way to use one of your strengths or talents. (Action for Happiness)
Write a letter of gratitude to someone. (Greater Good)
Put a $10 or $20 bill in a book with a note that says, “Great choice! This book is on me!” (Random Acts of Kindness Foundation)
DIY Kindness Calendars
You can create your own kindness calendar by printing off a template and filling in your own unique ideas. (Tip: Canva offers a wide selection of free customizable templates for monthly calendars.)
You may also use a blank calendar to track your acts of kindness or self-care practices. Other options for reminding yourself to be kind include keeping a kindness to-do list (either on a pad of paper or as a memo in your phone) or carrying pocket affirmations with you to share with others.
Action for Happiness’ mission is to help people create a happier world, with a culture that prioritizes happiness and kindness. Their patron is the Dalai Lama, a testament to their commitment to promoting kindness on a global scale.
Action for Happiness posts monthly themed calendars that provide a variety of activities and tips for happiness. (For example, the September 2023 theme was “Self-Care September” with tips like “Let go of other people’s expectations of you,” and the August 2023 theme was “Altruistic August” with tips like “Forgive someone who hurt you in the past.”)
In addition to kindness calendars, the organization offers podcasts, videos, and articles on topics such as happiness, kindness, and self-care.
The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) of the University of California at Berkeley is a leading research and education center dedicated to the study of wellbeing. The GGSC’s mission is to promote a kinder and more compassionate world.
Each month, GGSC posts a happiness calendar, which you can download and print or subscribe to. They also publish special versions (e.g., for educators or for parents) periodically. The happiness calendars are themed and include tips and activities that can help you practice gratitude, savor positive experiences, and connect with others. For example, the September 2023 theme was “be vulnerable and true to yourself” and included tips like “Have a conversation with your family about race,” and the August 2023 theme was “relax and recharge” and included tips like “Practice mindful movement.”
GGSC provides a wealth of resources, including the online Greater Good magazine, which offers articles, videos, quizzes, and podcasts on the science of living a meaningful life. Additionally, GGSC offers free online happiness courses.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a small nonprofit rooted in the belief that all people can connect through kindness and that kindness can be taught. They work within the framework of Inspire, Empower, Act, Reflect, and Share.
Each year, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation publishes a “Make Kindness the Norm” calendar with daily tips like “Make the switch to cruelty-free products” (September 2023) and “Refrain from complaining today” (August 2023). They also offer a free Kindness at Work Calendar with monthly themes such as humor, connection, and purpose, as well as a Kindness Calendar for Schools.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation offers additional resources for kindness in the classroom, in the workplace, and at home, including quote collections, free printables, classroom lessons, articles, and more.
To conclude, kindness is meant to be spread, and there are many ways to accomplish this. Whether you opt to create your own kindness calendar or print off a readymade version, kindness calendars are a great way to incorporate kindness into your daily life and to feel happier.
I encourage you to choose a kindness calendar that speaks to you and commit to using it. I also challenge you to get creative with your acts of kindness; the possibilities are endless!
Even the smallest acts of compassion can have a big impact and make a difference in the world. Together, we can make the world a kinder place.
I encourage you to share your acts of kindness or a resource for happiness or self-care in the comments below!
This is a list of 25 powerful quotes from the Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader and head of the Tibet. These wise sayings can also be thought of as instructions for living. Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable PDF of the quotes.
1. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
2. Once a year, go somewhere you’ve never been before.
3. Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck.
4. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
5. If there is no solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it. If there is a solution to the problem then don’t waste time worrying about it.
6. We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
7. Someone else’s action should not determine your response.
8. Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay.
9. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
10. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
11. Our prime purpose in this life is to help others, and if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.
12. Happiness is not something readymade, it comes from your own actions.
13. If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
14. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
15. If you have to choose between being kind and being right, choose being kind and you will always be right.
16. Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.
17. Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.
18. The more honest you are, the more open, the less fear you will have, because there’s no anxiety about being exposed or revealed to others.
19. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
20. It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.
21. When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.
22. Silence is sometimes the best answer.
23. With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.
24. Never give up. No matter what is going on. Never give up.
25. Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.