Florida Mental Health Counselors Association upcoming events

Getting to Know Your Inner Self: Ego State Therapy in Action (26 Oct 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

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Description: This training offers a practical and accessible approach to working with clients who present with complex PTSD and dissociation. Participants will learn to identify key characteristics of complex trauma, understand the development of dissociation, and explore components of the Structural Dissociation Model. The presentation will also cover effective screening tools, help differentiate dissociative from other ego states, and clarify how Ego State Therapy compares to Internal Family Systems (IFS). Attendees will practice 2–3 ego state techniques and discover ways to integrate this powerful model into everyday clinical work. Perfect for clinicians looking to deepen their understanding and expand their therapeutic toolkit.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1346788

This event is sponsored by FMHCA, an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider. FMHCA NBCC Provider# 2058. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. FMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. 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:

Describe Primary Characteristics of Clients with Complex PTSD.
Discuss Screening and Assessment of Dissociation Tools.
Practice 2-3 Ego State Therapy Techniques.
Identify Ways to Utilize Ego State Therapy in Practice.

About the Presenter:

Luna Medina-Wolf is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Master Certified Addiction Professional, EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, EMDR Part One Trainer with EMDR HAP, and Qualified Supervisor in Florida. She is the owner of Helping Moon Counseling, a thriving trauma-focused group practice in Boca Raton, and serves as the 2025–2026 President of the Mental Health Counselor Association of Palm Beach. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Hebrew, Luna brings a culturally responsive approach to therapy. She integrates EMDR and dissociation work to help clients heal from trauma, anxiety, and substance use. Her compassion, presence, and deep commitment define her work. Luna received the 2019 FCA Member of the Year and FMHCA Advocate of the Year awards.

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Externalized Emotional Reliance (EER) - Moving Beyond Codependence (06 Nov 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

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Description: This presentation offers an insightful exploration of Externalized Emotional Reliance (EER), a newly developed framework that reimagines and expands the narrow concept of codependence. EER captures not only traditional interpersonal patterns, but also today’s growing dependence on social media "likes" and other external forms of validation. Designed to equip mental health professionals with fresh tools and perspectives, this session unpacks the theory behind EER and its clinical relevance in a rapidly changing world. Grounded in the latest research and evidence-based practices, participants will leave with practical strategies to identify EER behaviors in clients and help them build greater emotional resilience and authentic self-worth.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1346791

Learning Objectives:

Define Externalized Emotional Reliance (EER) and explain how it differs from traditional concepts such as codependence.
Identify clinical signs of EER in individual and relational client presentations across diverse therapeutic settings.
Apply evidence-informed strategies to help clients develop emotional autonomy while maintaining healthy relational connections.
Integrate the EER framework into treatment planning to enhance outcomes in therapy focused on emotional regulation, boundary setting, and interpersonal growth.

About the Presenters:

Carol Clark, PhD, LMHC, CAP, CST is a clinical sexologist, licensed mental health counselor, certified addictions professional, and founder of the International Institute of Clinical Sexology. With over 30 years of experience, she trains therapists worldwide in ethical sex therapy and addiction recovery. She authored Addict America: The Lost Connection. Dr. Clark is known for her integrative approach to healing and her commitment to promoting emotional and sexual wellness.

Janis Roszler, PhD, LMFT, CDCES, MCAP is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified sex therapist, and award-winning certified diabetes care and education specialist. She is the author of several books, including Approaches to Behavior, a practical guide that helps physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals improve patient engagement and outcomes. Dr. Roszler currently trains future sex therapists at the International Institute of Clinical Sexology and is widely recognized for her ability to blend clinical expertise with warmth, humor, and actionable insight.

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Dual Diagnosis: Exploring the Overlap Between Mood Disorders and Addiction in Integrated Treatment (16 Nov 2026)

Mon, 16 Nov 2026 19:00:00 GMT

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Description: This presentation explores the complex and bidirectional relationship between mood disorders and substance use disorders, emphasizing their shared neurobiological, psychological, and environmental underpinnings. Attendees will gain insight into how depressive and bipolar symptoms can both contribute to and result from addictive behaviors, creating a challenging cycle for clients and clinicians alike. The session will highlight current research findings, assessment strategies, and evidence-based interventions that integrate mood stabilization and relapse prevention. Discussion will also include trauma-informed and holistic approaches to treatment, as well as culturally responsive considerations for diverse client populations. Through case examples and reflective dialogue, participants will leave with practical tools to enhance clinical effectiveness and promote long-term recovery outcomes.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1346794

Learning Objectives:

To describe the comorbidity between mood disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs).
To identify shared psychological and neurobiological risk factors.
To apply trauma-informed care principles to dual diagnosis cases.
To identify best practices with engaging in collaborative care planning with mental health professionals.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Nicole Kratimenos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Barry University and the Owner of Sound Mind Counseling, a private practice in Palm Harbor, Florida. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Board Certified–TeleMental Health provider. With over 17 years of experience in clinical practice, counselor education, and supervision, Dr. Kratimenos integrates evidence-based and holistic approaches to address trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mood disorders. Dr. Kratimenos earned her Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision from National Louis University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Treating Substance Abuse in Counseling, Psychopathology, Career Development and Life Work Planning, and Advanced Multicultural Issues in Counseling. She has presented nationally for organizations such as the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and Florida Counseling Association (FCA). Her recent scholarly work focuses on dual diagnosis, counselor wellness, and integrating mind-body resilience practices into mental health training. Dr. Kratimenos also serves as President-Elect of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and has received honors including the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association Counselor of the Year Award and the Outstanding Chapter Newsletter Award from Chi Sigma Iota. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Greek, Dr. Kratimenos is deeply committed to multicultural responsiveness, leadership development, and empowering future counselors to embody both clinical excellence and compassion in practice.

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Beyond Symptom Management: Rethinking Trauma Informed Care (07 Dec 2026)

Mon, 07 Dec 2026 19:00:00 GMT

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Description: This presentation invites mental health professionals to critically examine persistent challenges in trauma treatment, focusing on three key limitations: symptom-centered care, protocol-driven rigidity, and cultural or relational blind spots that can undermine client engagement. Many current interventions emphasize symptom suppression, unintentionally pathologizing natural human responses by treating pain and distress as problems to eliminate rather than as signals pointing to deeper, unintegrated experiences. Event-focused desensitization and one-size-fits-all protocols can overlook the complex, layered nature of memory and human adaptation. Additionally, positioning the clinician as the primary expert risks reinforcing bias, creating cultural disconnects, and limiting what clients feel safe to share. This session introduces a capacity-focused, integrative framework that supports clinicians in recognizing distress as meaningful signals rather than symptoms to suppress. These principles are formalized in Critical Memory Integration (CMI™) - an emerging, evidence-informed approach grounded in contemporary neuroscience, memory reconsolidation research, and somatic and emotion-focused therapies. CMI™ is designed to complement existing modalities, reduce the risk of bias and cultural mis-attunement, and foster deeper, more sustainable healing outcomes.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1346797

Learning Objectives:

About the Presenters:

Brian Livesay, PhD, is the Director of Research at ARISE Alliance Institute, where he co-leads the development and training of Critical Memory Integration (CMI™), a neuroscience-informed, experiential model designed to foster deep and sustainable healing. He earned his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Idaho State University and completed his clinical psychology internship at the Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. He is also a practicing clinician at the Cheyenne VA Medical Center, providing services to Student Veterans across Northern Colorado and Southeastern Wyoming and contributing to VA internship and fellowship training programs. Dr. Livesay’s research and clinical interests focus on PTSD, moral injury, and the development of experiential therapies for stress and trauma-related conditions. He has contributed to the field through research on treatment effectiveness, diagnostic considerations, and the integration of innovative approaches for trauma care, sharing his work through publications, conference presentations, and professional training programs.

Estefana Johnson, LCSW, is the Director of Clinical Training for ARISE Alliance Institute, where she co-leads the development and implementation of Critical Memory Integration (CMI) - a neuroscience-informed, experiential model designed to promote deep, sustainable healing. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker and trauma therapist with over two decades of experience, she has worked across residential treatment, medical social work, clinical training, and community-based care, bringing a strong foundation in relational and culturally responsive practice. In addition to guiding clinician training and community workshops based on CMI principles, Estefana practices at Lighthouse Psychiatry and TMS, where she also serves as a Dosing Session Monitor for psychedelic-assisted therapy research trials. She further contributes as Clinical Director for ASA Now, a nonprofit supporting foster and adoptive families, and helps design programs that foster resilience and mental wellness in individuals, families, and organizations. Her expertise integrates neuroscience, memory reconsolidation, and experiential approaches to help clients reclaim agency and engage in meaningful, embodied healing.

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