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FMHCA is a chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and is the only organization working exclusively for LMHCs in the State of Florida.

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Florida mental health COUNSELORS association

15673 Southern Blvd. #107, Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, 33470 (P) 561-916-5556 (E) Office@FLMHCA.org


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OnDemand Webinars

    • 08 May 2025
    • 14 Apr 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
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    Description: ~What if the cause of emotional disturbance from trauma/PTSD is not what we think it is? ~What if there is a way to resolve trauma more efficiently without people having to relive pain? ~What if there are myths circulating about treatment of trauma/PTSD? There are myths regarding trauma treatment that keep people from pursuing much needed services. This session will reveal those myths while unveiling ways to overcome related barriers to care. In the process this will absolutely raise awareness and SMASH STIGMA! Buckle in as new insights, information, and paradigm shifting ways of thinking about all things trauma get presented!!! This session will provide attendees with the brain-based cause of emotional dis…ease. Attendees will hear an innovative conceptual framework to evaluate emotional disturbance and origin of trauma. This session will list and describe a 3-word mantra to calm the nervous system that resonates with people on a brain-based level. This session will demonstrate a 5-word mantra to eliminate judgement! How wonderful is that for your clients to be engaged in an environment that is truly, a judgement free zone?! We know trauma can be stored in the body. This session will demonstrate a body posture that instantly changes mood. Lastly, this session will differentiate and recommend another way of thinking about anxiety that can really help the client populations attendees serve and summarize a brain-based healing methodology to resolve trauma - The Cortina Method.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1297186

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Attendees will list and describe a 3-word mantra to calm the nervous system.
    2. Attendees will differentiate the neuroscience based cause of emotional disturbances and why trauma can be resolved efficiently.
    3. Attendees will define a 5-word mantra to eliminate judgement and list myths related to trauma/PTSD treatment.
    4. Attendees will explain and name an innovative way to describe anxiety and demonstrate a body posture to instantly change mood.
    About the Presenter:

    Michael Cortina, LCSW, LCAC is a Trauma Resolution Expert & CEO of The Cortina Method, LLC. He is the Founder & Creator of The Cortina Method© - a brain-based healing methodology to resolve trauma and other disturbing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors WITHOUT, people having to relive pain. Michael is a healer, national keynote speaker, trainer, and sought-after international authority on PTSD treatment, brain-based healing and mindset transformation work. Throughout Michael’s career, he has transformed the lives of thousands of people who have gone on to live an optimal life free of PTSD, guilt, anger, shame, anxiety, addiction, blame, fear, limiting beliefs, phobias, and more. He has spoken to audiences of 600 attendees, has provided The Cortina Method Master Classes & Trainings throughout the country, and has been featured in ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, THE CW, & Yahoo!finance along with 400+ publications and media outlets.

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    • 15 May 2025
    • 15 May 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
    • 492
    Register


    Description: In this 1-hour webinar, FMHCA's lobbyist and Government Relations Committee Chair will offer members a description of FMHCA's efforts to promote legislation for our profession. This webinar is an opportunity for members to learn more about what happens "behind the scenes" with FMHCA's lobbying efforts.

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    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1303884 

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Identify legislative issues impacting the mental health counseling profession in Florida.

    2. Outline FMHCA's professional advocacy and lobbying efforts in 2025.

    3. Describe FMHCA's process for addressing legislative issues.

    About the Presenter:

    Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, trauma treatment, forensic mental health evaluation, forensic behavioral analysis, and forensic psychometry. He serves as executive director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, assistant professor of instruction at the University of South Dept. of Mental Health Law & Policy, International Counseling Task Force chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association. He co-authored the forensic evaluation section of the “AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling,” authored the proposal for AMHCA’s Clinical Mental Health Specialist in Forensic Evaluation (CMHS-FE) credential, served on the expert panel that created the standards and written exam for the Florida Certification Board’s Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) credential, and has been published in several journals and professional magazines. He has 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.

    Corinne Mixon is a registered professional lobbyist with fifteen years of experience representing clients’ state governmental interests. At Rutledge Ecenia, Corinne represents a broad client base with a particular emphasis on health care practitioners, education and regulated industries and professions. While earning her BA from the University of Alabama’s School of Communications and Information Sciences, Corinne garnered an internship in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, thus igniting her interest in professional lobbying and politics. Corinne began her professional career as a Public Relations Account Coordinator at the Zimmerman Agency was a principal shareholder of Mixon & Associates. In 2020, Corinne won the “Best Young Lobbyist” competition hosted by the popular Florida Politics news outlet. Corinne was also youngest-ever recipient of the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants’ Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in passing legislation. Corinne serves on the Board of the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists and she is a member of the Florida Education Legislative Liaisons (FELL)

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    • 16 May 2025
    • 16 May 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
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    Description: In this training, Mrs. Spears will share the nuts and bolts of starting a private practice. In addition an explanation of the logistics, this training will address the mental and emotional fortitude required to weather the ups and downs of owning your business. The training will conclude with a defined mission statement that attendees will create to inform their growth goals over the next year.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1304085

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Attendees will be able to explain the legalties associatedwith starting and growing a practice
    2. Attendees will name emotional barriers that interferewith starting and growing a practice
    3. Attendees will evalute their resources and readiness tostart and grow a practice
    4.  Attendees will identity their motivation and long-termgoals for starting and growing a practice
    About the Presenter:

    Tara Spears, LMFT, LMHC, CST, CFMHE, CCCE graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Arts in Counselor Education in 2005. Prior to beginning her practice, she held numerous positions in the field (i.e. counselor, manager, director and CEO) and worked with several populations including child welfare, hospice, and community mental health. In 2016, she took all her experience, the good, the bad and the ugly, and used this to establish Talk Sex with Me, PLLC DBA Togetherness Counseling. After establishing the practice in 2016, Mrs. Spears went on to create online learning to assist parents in talking to their children about sex and sexual safety. This program was purchased and used by Heartland for Children for two years. In 2018, she published a book Talking to Children and Teens About Sex: A Practical Guide. It’s currently available for purchase through Amazon. Mrs. Spears was featured in numerous podcasts and conferences including the World’s Best Parenting Summit, The Sexology Podcast, The Parent-Child Relationship Podcast, The Talking to Kids About Sex Interview Series, the 2017 FSFAPA Conference and The Launching Your Daughter Podcasts. Mrs. Spears is a qualified mental health and marriage and family supervisor. In 2024, she completed two certifications and is now a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator and Certified Child Custody Evaluator.

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    • 30 May 2025
    • 30 May 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
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    Description: In this presentation, there will be a focus on how to properly identify the intersection of mental health and addiction in the process of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, understanding challenges in access and coordination of dual diagnosis care and learning ways to overcome obstacles to effective treatment.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1306901

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Identify the intersection of mental health and addiction in the process of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. 
    2.  Identify strategies to break through barriers to access of care. 
    3.  Understand challenges in the coordination of care with substance abuse organizations. 
    4.  Identify obstacles to effective treatment and how to overcome them.
    About the Presenter:

    Dr. Nicole Kratimenos joined the Counseling program at Barry University in 2023 and is a Co-Advisor for Barry University's Chi Sigma Iota. Dr. Kratimenos obtained a BA in Psychology and Spanish and a MA in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. Dr. Kratimenos also holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from National Louis University. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Qualified Supervisor for the State of Florida. Dr. Kratimenos is certified in Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, is Board Certified in TeleMental Health Counseling and is a National Certified Counselor. She is trilingual and uses an eclectic approach in therapy and teaching. Dr. Kratimenos is the Past Secretary of the Florida Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (FACES), the Past President Elect, President and Past President of the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association (SMHCA), and the current Interim President of the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association (SMHCA). Some of her presentations include co-presenting at Florida Counseling Association (FCA) conventions on the topic of The Guilt of Ambivalent Reactions: Healing Ambivalent Loss in Transgender Families and at an Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) convention on the topic of Creative Adaptation: Adapting Multicultural Experiential Activities to Virtual Formats. Dr. Kratimenos has also participated in research focusing on dual-diagnosis treatment and the topic of psychological abuse.

    Please Click Here to view our Refund Policy
    • 06 Jun 2025
    • 06 Jun 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
    Register


    Description: Dive deep into the transformative potential of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) with this comprehensive 2-hour session tailored for mental health professionals. NET is a powerful approach that helps trauma survivors integrate their traumatic experiences into their life stories, fostering healing and resilience. This expanded presentation will provide an in-depth exploration of NET, highlighting its efficacy through detailed case studies and offering extensive practical exercises. Attendees will gain advanced skills in implementing NET, ensuring they can better support trauma survivors in their journey towards recovery and authentic living.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1308325

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Define Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and explain its core principles and theoretical foundations within cognitive-behavioral therapy. 
    2. Describe the process through which NET helps clients integrate traumatic memories into a coherent life narrative.
    3.  Present detailed case studies illustrating the successful application of NET in treating women with trauma histories. 
    4. Differentiate the impacts of gender-specific trauma and identify how NET can be tailored to address these nuances.
    About the Presenter:

    Jessica Straughn is the founder and licensed Mental Health Counselor at Supportive Counseling, LLC. Her practice is dedicated to helping professional women navigate anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues, understanding the unique challenges they face. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Central Florida, with additional minors in Women's Studies and Criminal Justice. Her credentials include certifications in Crisis Response Planning for Suicide Prevention, Critical Incident Stress Management, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level I & II. With extensive experience in trauma and victim advocacy, Jessica has served as a Victim Advocate at the 9th Judicial State Attorney's Office, providing support during the Pulse nightclub tragedy, and as a Victim Specialist at the University of Central Florida Police Department, where she assisted those affected by sexual assault and critical incidents. She has also contributed to the LGBTQ+ community as a therapist at 26Health and supported survivors of domestic violence through Harbor House. Jessica's unwavering commitment to empowering women to overcome trauma is evident in her work and is a driving force behind her involvement in workshops, webinars, and speaking engagements.

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    • 16 Jun 2025
    • 16 Jun 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
    Register

    Description: Generation Z may be one of the most maligned generations in recent history. They eschew the traditional 40-hour work week, exhibit disdain for traditional marriages for what they feel is right. In the midst of this, they cannot afford home ownership, are struggling to survive financially and many feel it is the job of others in their life to support them. What is it that makes them different and how do we help them with their anxiety and depression?

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1310004

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. The Learner will be able to identify the issues that Generation Z face.
    2. The Learner will be able to analyze the behaviors and evaluate the impairment levels of the individual.
    3. The Learner will be able to identify the contributing factors to functioning.
    4. The Learner will be able to implement treatment methods to increase overall functioning.
    About the Presenter:

    Kelley Ryals is an LMHC-S. She runs a private practice in Pensacola FL, and hosts 6 student interns a year. She is currently working on her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision.



    Caeserea McCord is a Registered Mental Health Intern employed at Pensacola State College and is working towards licensure.



    Madison Rielly is a student intern completing her practicum and internship at KR Counseling in Pensacola FL. When she is not seeing clients or in class, she is employed as a front desk specialist and North Florida Surgeons.



    Please Click Here to view our Refund Policy
    • 30 Jun 2025
    • 30 Jun 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
    Register


    Description: Are you a mental health counselor seeking to deepen your understanding of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and its application in treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? Join us for an insightful presentation designed to enhance your clinical expertise and therapeutic effectiveness. Enhance your clinical skills with our presentation on "Understanding DBT Assumptions in Treating Borderline Personality Disorder." Attendees will explore the fundamental assumptions of DBT, such as emotional validation and the dialectical philosophy, and understand their critical role in treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Learn practical strategies for applying these assumptions in therapeutic practice and discover how to integrate DBT with other therapeutic approaches to optimize treatment outcomes for clients with BPD. Join us to deepen your understanding and enhance your therapeutic approach with advanced DBT insights.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1313240

    This is an event sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Attendees will be able to identify and explain the fundamental assumptions underlying DBT, such as the validation of emotional experience, the dialectical philosophy, and the balance between acceptance and change. 
    2. Attendees will gain insight into why these assumptions are critical for treating Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and how they inform the therapeutic process. 
    3. Attendees will be able to discuss how DBT assumptions are applied in therapeutic practice, including specific strategies and techniques that align with these assumptions. 
    4. Attendees will be able to integrate the assumptions of DBT with other therapeutic approaches and techniques, exploring how they can complement or enhance overall treatment strategies for BPD.
    About the Presenter:

    Lana Schneidt, LMHC, CAP, is a distinguished mental health counselor and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the field. Since founding her private practice in 2015, Lana has been dedicated to providing high-quality support to individuals from various backgrounds. Her extensive clinical experience spans residential treatment facilities, intensive outpatient programs, and community-based services, equipping her with a robust understanding of diverse treatment environments. Lana’s work is characterized by her commitment to evidence-based practices and her focus on integrating advanced therapeutic techniques, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD, and mindfulness strategies. As a certified addictions professional in Florida, Lana offers valuable insights into addiction issues and their implications for students and their families. Her role as a mentor and clinical consultant has earned her the recognition of "the queen of clinical consultation" among her peers. She is known for her expertise in mentoring fellow professionals and enhancing their clinical skills. Lana has also developed "Emotion University: Learn with Lana," an innovative online learning platform that focuses on teaching coping skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This platform reflects her dedication to advancing mental health practices and providing practical tools for both counselors and their clients. Her advocacy for mental health is demonstrated through her engaging presentations and workshops, where she addresses evidence-based practices, conflict de-escalation techniques, and strategies for supporting students with specific mental health needs. Lana is passionate about destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting holistic wellness. Lana holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Central Florida (2002) and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University (2009). Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys nurturing her mindfulness practice, exploring culinary experiences, and traveling with her husband Brandon. Lana Schneidt continues to be a leading figure in mental health counseling, dedicated to fostering supportive environments where individuals can excel academically, socially, and emotionally.

    Please Click Here to view our Refund Policy
    • 21 Jul 2025
    • 21 Jul 2026
    • Online (Zoom)
    Register


    Description: A foundational exploration into the essential techniques and principles employed in non-directive play therapy. Participants will learn the art of non-directive communication, active listening, and creating a safe space for clients to engage in spontaneous play. By incorporating hands-on exercises and case studies, participants will develop practical skills in utilizing art, toys, and other expressive modalities to help individuals express their emotions and navigate challenges. This seminar serves as an invaluable introduction for those seeking to build a strong foundation in non-directive play therapy skills, fostering a supportive atmosphere where clients can freely communicate and process their experiences.

    CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1317251

    This event is sponsored by FMHCA. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

    Learning Objectives:

    1. Explain the rationale for using non-directive play therapy skills to build relationships. 
    2. Demonstrate the play therapy skill of tracking. 
    3. Demonstrate the play therapy skill of reflecting feelings. 
    4. Demonstrate the play therapy skill of restating content.
    About the Presenter:

    Andrea Mann, MS, NCC, LMHC-S, RPT-S, CAdPT-A, is the owner of Pathways Counseling LLC, where she is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based support to children, adolescents, and families. Andrea holds an advanced credential as a Certified Adlerian Play Therapist - Advanced, emphasizing her commitment to guiding clients through therapeutic play and personal growth. Andrea’s practice focuses on Adlerian play therapy, neurodiversity, trauma-focused interventions, and identity exploration and development. Her approach combines a strengths-based and holistic perspective, helping clients foster resilience, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being.

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