Courses at The Forum
Our current courses are listed in alphabetical order below. The Forum strives to meet the needs of our nonprofit community, so feel free to reach out with suggestions and check back frequently for additions!
Compassion Satisfaction: Preventing Burnout
Our sincere desire to help can be derailed by stress and other factors that lead to burnout. Understanding compassion fatigue and burn out is the first step to creating more satisfaction. Compassion fatigue is an issue for practitioners at all levels. Participants will learn to understand their own risk factors and then create practical strategies to promote well-being and professional satisfaction. (3.0 CEUs)
Critical Conversations: The Secret to Success!
Let's explore how to have those difficult conversations with co-workers, staff, and others in a way that results in effective communication and understanding. Led by Stephanie Hale, MSOD, Leadership and Development Coach and Trainer, this class provides the essential tools for approaching conversations with confidence and competence so that we all benefit.
De-escalation Techniques for Creating Safety
Conflict and high emotions can be de-escalated in a way that prevents harm and enhances relationships. In this course you will learn to create calm and intervene with confidence as you encounter escalating situations. Practice proven strategies to maintain safety in any environment. Enhance your skill through practice of verbal and non-verbal approaches to difficult situations. (3.0 CEUs)
Ethics and Boundaries: Where do I Draw the Line?
The purpose of this participatory training is to take a deep dive into best practices of ethics and boundaries while working in the MH/SA discipline. We will explore the best practices of ethics surrounding confidentiality in the workplace as well as outside of the workplace. We will also examine what happens when boundaries are breached and the potential outcomes. The training will include role plays and active learning and will be led by Karen King, MS, LCAS, CCS, and Cindy Verdoorn MS, LCAS, CSI. (3.0 CEUs)
First Friday Hot Topics
Mental Health Basics
Mental Health issues affect the behavior and interactions we have with clients. What are the basic diagnoses and how do these show up in the individuals we are seeking to help? How do we recognize and respond to those struggling with mental illness? Together we will identify practical tools for successful interaction and positive outcomes. (3.0 CEUs)
Motivational Interviewing: The Basics Part 1
Positive outcomes and helpful conversations result when the philosophy and skills of Motivational Interviewing are practiced. In this course you will review, learn, and engage with the MI skills that lead to high impact conversations. Practice applying these skills to enhance your work with all the people you encounter. (3.0 CEUs)
Motivational Interviewing: The Basics Part 2
Build on the skills and knowledge you attained in Motivational Interviewing: The Basics Part 1: more on rolling with resistance, working with change talk, asking questions that lead to solutions, and identifying client motivation while creating a plan for positive outcomes. Take a deeper dive into Motivational Interviewing for even greater success! Motivational Interviewing: The Basics Part 1 should be completed before taking this class. (3.0 CEUs)
Practicing Cultural Humility with Members of the LGBTQ+ Community
Led by UNCC professor Kevin Knight-Edwards, MSW, LCSW, this training will lead to operationalizing cultural humility, creating safety for LGBTQ+ clients, and deeper connection and understanding of the narratives of this population. When cultural humility is learned and applied – outcomes improve! (3.0 CEUs)
Racial Bias and Equity
Racial Bias enters every part of the service delivery system in Charlotte and continues to influence policies and organizations in our community. When practitioners develop an awareness of this history and have a deeper understanding of the impact on those that they serve, more effective service can be offered. Strategies for being a voice for equity will uplift us all. (3.0 CEUs)
Substance Use Disorder Basics and Referral Resources
Why do some people end up with the disease of addiction? What does addiction look like and how do we respond? What community resources are available to assist and how do we refer? Explore the range of substances and their effect. Understand available help so that you can better respond to the needs of this population. (3.0 CEUs)
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma impacts how we relate and how others relate to us. How does trauma show up? What are the hallmarks of Trauma Informed Care? Together we will understand the early research and later findings about trauma that will positively influence your relationships and enhance your work. (3.0 CEUs)
Understanding Grief and Loss
Grief can seem like a disease. Grief and loss and our reaction to it has profound effects on us and our clients. Together we will understand the grief process and how to best intervene at these most difficult times. (3.0 CEUs)