Join us for a Lunch & Learn (noon-1pm) virtually or on the Atlanta or Chattanooga Campus for 1 FREE NBCC clock hour of Continuing Education! No Registration required. Questions?- contact Amy Estes at ContinuingEd@richmont.edu. We encourage confirming the date prior to arriving on campus as there are last-minute cancellations from time to time.
VIRTUAL: Join Zoom session
This continuing education activity will focus on some of the most common ethical pitfalls of interns and how to avoid them by engaging in aspirational best practices. Topics include supervision hierarchy, legal liability, sources of risk, ethical considerations, documentation tips, and best practices.
Presenter: William F. Doverspike, Ph.D.
Presenter Bio: William F. Doverspike, Ph.D. has taught ethics classes, workshops, and webinars at Richmont Graduate University since 2003. He is the author of dozens of ethics articles and four ethics books, the first of which evolved out of his 12 years of experience as a member of the Ethics Committee of the Georgia Psychological Association (GPA). Dr. Doverspike is a former President of GPA. He served 15 years as a member of the state licensing board for psychologists. He holds board certification Diplomates in Clinical Psychology (ABPP) and Neuropsychology (ABPN). He maintains a private practice at the Atlanta Counseling Center. Founded in 1967, the Atlanta Counseling Center has long been known as the oldest multidisciplinary Christian counseling center in Atlanta.
Learning Objectives: Participants in the workshop will learn to: 1) summarize three sources of risk that interns face in supervision; 2) describe three unethical practices that interns can avoid; 3) identify three best practices that interns can implement.
For clients or patients presenting with depressive symptoms, multiple treatments are available, including exercise, medication and evidence based therapies. Unfortunately, a subset of clients may not see improvement and may stop medication and/or therapy. As clinicians, it is our responsibility to inform our clients of potential underlying issues that may be causing or exacerbating symptoms of depression. The purpose of this Lunch and Learn is to provide a high-level overview of common medical causes of depressive symptoms to facilitate clinician knowledge to assist clients, while remaining within their scope of practice.
Presenter: Dr. Lynne Padgett ’95
Presenter Bio: Dr. Lynne Padgett is a program director in the Division of Clinical and Health Services Research at NIMHD and a licensed rehabilitation psychologist. Previously, she was a health science officer for the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Health Services Research & Development and a program director in the National Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Survivorship and Behavioral Research Program. Clinically, she has worked as a health and rehabilitation psychologist, primarily in oncology and hospital medicine with the VA Washington DC Healthcare System, and Kaiser Permanente – Georgia. Her research interests include disability, rehabilitation in oncology and end of life care, aging and older adults including cognitive impairment, maximizing independence, and care giving.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to 1) describe common illnesses whose symptoms overlap with depression; 2) Name two questions to evaluate if a patient may have medical contributions to depressive symptoms
Missions, Mental Health, and Member Care – Counseling Support for Those Who Go
Member Care is a specialization of the counseling field focused on missionaries and those in helping professions. In this lunch and learn, we will discuss the distinctives that make this both a challenging and rewarding field to work in, who thrives in it, and some practical skills to develop as a member care practitioner.
Presenter: Deanna Davis ’16, LMFT, LPC, ACS, AAMFT-S, SEP
Presenter Bio: Deanna is a licensed marriage and family therapist, supervisor, trauma specialist, and Director of the Richmont Trauma Center. A focus her work that she is passionate about is helping helpers – particularly those in the missions/ministry/and international NGO world. She is an adult third culture kid, has served overseas doing university and church planting work, and regularly travels internationally to provide onsite trauma-informed member care support to various organizations. Alongside her work as a trauma and couples therapist, Deanna is also a seminar and retreat leader, specializing in the intersections of spiritual, emotional, and relational health, the shaping role of trauma in one’s faith, and contemplative practices that lead to inner healing and spiritual growth. She has 3 almost adult (TCK) children, with the youngest being born during their time overseas.
Learning Objective: Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the various components of effective member care and connect professionally with others with a similar interest in the field.
Mind the Gap: 10 Essential Lessons for New Therapists
This lunch and learn session will provide an overview of crucial insights often overlooked in traditional graduate programs but essential for new therapists entering the field. Drawing from the mentorship wisdom of experienced professionals like Bianca Hughes, we’ll cover a range of topics including diversifying your role as a therapist, building a professional network, understanding the business side of private practice, recognizing the pervasiveness of trauma, and prioritizing self-care from the start. The session will offer practical advice and strategies to help new therapists navigate the challenges of starting their careers, avoid common pitfalls, and build a fulfilling, sustainable practice. We’ll emphasize the importance of continuous learning and personal growth in becoming an effective and satisfied mental health professional.
Presenter: Bianca Hughes ’15, LPC
Presenter Bio: Bianca Kesha Hughes is setting boundaries and breaking barriers. She knows how to navigate life and discover true identity while trusting in God. Known for authenticity and heart-work services, Bianca is the ultimate trailblazer in the mental health and wellness field as a speaker and therapist, inspiring her audience to let go of the illusion of perfectionism and align with their truth. Bianca created Authentically Be You Counseling & Wellness Studio, to help women dig deeper to uncover their greatest fears and tap into the inner turmoil rooted around perfectionism. Bianca continues to help women connect to their inner selves through self-awareness and vulnerability to essentially connect to their true selves and live authentically. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Bianca is the recipient of the Richmont Graduate University 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award.
Learning Objective: By the end of this session, participants will be able to identify at least three key areas of professional development not typically covered in graduate programs and understand their importance in building a successful career as a therapist.
Richmont Graduate University has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 4534. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Richmont Graduate University is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
