How Do I Find Therapy CEs?

Fri, May 22, 2020 | HLCTN Editorial Team

How Do I Find Therapy CEs?

Here’s an overview of how to access continuing
education credit for therapists, and some of
the most commonly used online sources.

Here’s an overview of how to access continuing education credit for therapists, and some of the most commonly used online sources.

It can be a challenge at times for therapists to keep up with continuing education requirements.

This is particularly difficult when in-person training events are shut down or moved online.

One common way to access CEUs is to look in your local area. Sometimes organizations such as a local rape and abuse crisis centers or other nearby non-profits offer special trainings.

While these may not currently be offered in-person, many have moved online. Local Facebook events often include professional trainings coming up in your region.

Your state or national professional board may also be offering in-person or online trainings.

For example, the Nationals Association of Social Workers (NASW) often offers both national and local or state CEUs for a moderate cost. (Link: https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Continuing-Education)

They also cover areas that are likely to be required for your license update.

If local trainings don’t fit your needs, are too expensive, or aren’t available at this time, you’re not out of luck. There are a variety of affordable and easy to access online trainings that provide contact hours and/or CEUs. Requirements for what counts as contact hours or CEUs can vary across profession and states, and can change over time.

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Traditionally, online trainings (vs. in-person events) have only counted towards a portion of required continuing education for clinicians.

However, with pandemic restrictions, many states and professional licensing boards have changed or relaxed requirements. Check with your state licensing board for current guidelines.

Here’s a look at some commonly used training programs to help you keep up with your required continuing education:

CE4Less

https://ce4less.com/ViewCart

CE4Less is a popular organization that provides low-cost, basic CEU classes online. It includes some free promotional classes including a free ethics course.

The database is organized by professional area and states, and may even list your own state’s continuing education requirements.

(Although you should verify with your state board in case there have been changes.)

Cost: Free to low cost, varying by course, and has unlimited plans

Free State Social Work Suicide Prevention

https://www.freestatesocialwork.com/?p=969

Many professional boards require continuing suicide prevention training.

Free State Social Work offers several trainings, but specifically offers a free suicide prevention course worth two credit hours. It includes an assigned reading and quiz questions to ensure comprehension.

Cost: Free

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National Center for PTSD

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/continuing_ed/index.asp

The VA’s PTSD training program includes free courses, including free continuing education credits for most of them. They cover a variety of topics that may be specific for Veterans or may be applicable to a wider client population with similar struggles with trauma.

Cost: Free

Quantum Units Education

https://www.quantumunitsed.com/online-ceu/effectiveness-suicide-prevention-strategies.php

Quantum Units Education also offers a free one-hour suicide prevention course along with various other courses.

It is approved by several state associations, but many states and professions honor courses certified by other organizations. Check with your licensing board requirements to make sure.

Cost: Free to low cost, and they offer a bulk deal

PESI

Pesi.com

Pesi is a popular resource for continuing education credits.

Courses tend to cost more, but many are more in-depth by well-known trainers and experts in various fields. They offer video and full therapy training courses.

Cost: Some free offers, higher cost for in-depth trainings

Psychotherapy.net Academy

https://academy.psychotherapy.net/

This program offers a variety of training options, from simplistic to more involved.

They have an article-reading program that includes reading articles and answering questions, as well as more in-depth training videos. Courses tend to cost more, but many are worth a much higher number of credits.

Cost: Moderate to high cost, with in-depth trainings

SimplePractice Learning

https://www.simplepracticelearning.com/collections

SimplePractice is a well-know electronic medical records program.

They recently launched an online telehealth portal, and are also reaching out with training. This program offers some free options, such a telehealth ethics course, for one credit hour.

Cost: Free options, and low to moderate

APA Continuing Education

https://www.apa.org/ed/ce/resources/

The American Psychological Association (APA) offers multiple options for CEs.

These include past events and trainings or conferences (they call these “video on demand”), as well as live webinars held throughout the year.

It covers a variety of topics for varying costs. There’s also a bulk deal that covers multiple courses and credits.

Cost: Moderate, with a bulk offer

These are just a handful of the variety of online CE credits available. Many more are available nationwide, as well as in local areas.

With many options open to you, you can likely meet your state’s basic requirements while also focusing on areas that are of the most interest to you and helpful for your practice.

If You’re Interested in Client Referrals & Want More Information on How to Grow Your Practice, Join Our Therapists Network

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