This program offers a comprehensive overview of the essential assessments needed to ensure that behavioral health clients are receiving appropriate treatment. It will cover the clinical assessment requirements and the various screening tools used to determine the right level of care and make appropriate referrals. Additionally, the training will explore the different levels of care and available services for children, adolescents, and adults within the current behavioral health system.

Presented by Northwest AHEC & Wake Forest University School of Medicine

This fall, Northwest AHEC is offering a dynamic lineup of behavioral health webinars designed to equip professionals with the latest tools, strategies, and insights to support mental wellness across diverse populations. Whether you're a clinician, counselor, social worker, or behavioral health advocate, these sessions offer valuable continuing education and practical knowledge.

1. Assessments and Levels of Care: Guiding Clients to the Right Treatment

📅 Date: September 26, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Format: Live Webinar
👩‍🏫 Speaker: Erica K. Smith, MSW, LCSW

This session provides a comprehensive overview of clinical assessments and screening tools used to determine appropriate levels of care for children, adolescents, and adults. Learn how to make informed referrals and navigate the behavioral health system effectively.

🔗 Register Here
📄 Download Brochure

2. Advanced Application of DBT Skills

📅 Date: October 10, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Format: Live Webinar
👩‍🏫 Speaker: Rebecca Edwards-Powell, MSW, LCSW

Designed for professionals familiar with DBT, this workshop focuses on strengthening clinical application through skills training groups, behavioral strategies, and role-play techniques. 

🔗 Register Here
📄 Download Brochure

3. Identifying and Addressing Anxiety and Trauma-Related Disorders in Adolescents

📅 Date: October 15, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00AM-12:15PM
📍 Format: Live Webinar
👩‍🏫 Speaker: Sarah E (Betsy) E. 'Betsy' Bledsoe , PhD, MPhil, MSW

This program is designed to help practitioners become more familiar with identifying the signs and symptoms of anxiety and trauma related disorders in adolescents.

🔗 Register Here
📄 Download Brochure

4. Experienced SUD Professionals Panel: Sharing Their Expertise, Wisdom, and Hope

📅 Date: October 22, 2025
🕘 Time: 1:00PM-3:00PM
📍 Format: Live Webinar

👩‍🏫 Speakers: 
Jesse Battle, MSMHC, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS
Tuesday Feral, LCMCHA (they, them)
Leslie D. McCrory, Retired Counselor
Geraldine A. 'Geri' Miller , PhD, LP, LCAS, CCS
Paul D. Nagy, LCAS, LCMHC, MS
Daniel H. Wilemon, M.Ed., LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS

Join a panel of seasoned substance use disorder professionals as they share insights, lessons learned, and hopeful perspectives on recovery and treatment. This interactive session is perfect for those seeking inspiration and practical guidance.

🔗 Register Here
📄 Download Brochure

🎓 Continuing Education Credits

Each session offers CE hours for psychologists, social workers, counselors, and other behavioral health professionals. Details are available on each registration page.

On the most recent episode of the Northwest AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast, host Andrew Brewer speaks with Dr. Gretchen Hoyle. And, you can now earn 1 hour of CE credit after listening!

Dr. Hoyle returns to provide a post-launch update of implementing a collaborative care management model (CoCM) in primary care practice in a large health system. The model provides continuity of care for chronic conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Learn how CoCM operates and insights on transforming care practices with a behavioral care manager, data registry, EHR workflows, and billing.

According to Dr. Hoyle, "This model allows us as pediatricians to use a team based approach for pediatric patients with mental health issues." Members of the CoCM team include the primary care provider who makes a diagnosis and referral, a psychiatric consultant who provides subspecialist level expertise and advice, and the behavioral health care manager (BHCM) who interacts most closely with the patient and their family. Dr. Hoyle finds it is the BHCM that is the "hero" of the CoCM team!

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the functions of each member of the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Team.
• Describe how mental health symptoms are measured and tracked in the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model.

Register for CE Credit here: https://northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/t3/courses-and-events/75184

View a complete list of current episodes in the Podcast CE Learning series here: https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/podcastCE

Check out the latest episode of NW AHEC Healthcare Insights podcast!

In this episode of the Healthcare Insights podcast, you will hear the ground level experiences of two wonderful humans working directly with the unsheltered in Burke County, NC. Alice Horton, Director of the Burke United Christian Ministries and Karen Russell, Director of the HOPE Center share their stories of outreach and the importance of meeting people where they are.

When disaster strikes communities close to us, human service professionals often feel a familiar calling for a meaningful way to utilize their mental health skills in a challenging and rewarding manner that makes a real difference.

This training will prepare licensed mental health professionals for volunteer or paid roles in disaster response, contributing significantly to the psychological recovery of both disaster survivors and disaster workers. Having more mental health professionals trained and ready to respond in times of a disaster will be an invaluable asset to the people of our state, nation, and world.

Developed for licensed mental health professionals who are assumed to have a base of clinical knowledge, this training will give participants familiarity with characteristics, stages, and responses to disaster. Basic intervention strategies, including psychological first aid and empowerment of coping skills will be presented, along with the important topics of self-care and ethical issues in disaster response.

Orientation to Disaster Mental Health Intervention

Live Webinar / June 7, 2025 9 AM - 11 AM

Check out all the details and register now to reserve your spot.

For 16 years, the NC “One Community in Recovery” Conference has served as a powerful gathering of individuals dedicated to fostering recovery, resilience, and advocacy in mental health and substance use. Planned by a statewide committee of behavioral health providers and advocates—many with lived experience—this annual event continues to be a beacon of hope and progress.

This year, from March 5-7, 2025, over 200 participants came together under the theme “Healing Together: Building Stronger Communities.” The conference provided a platform for insightful discussions, innovative strategies, and shared experiences that continue to shape the future of recovery in North Carolina.

Conference Highlights

One of the standout sessions was “Addressing the Connection of Brain Injury, Public Health, and the Legal System in North Carolina” presented by Desireé Gorbea-Finalet of Disability Rights NC. This thought-provoking discussion shed light on how brain injuries intersect with public health and justice systems, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support and policy changes.

The pre-conference session also sparked important dialogue with a panel discussion on “Exploring Alternatives to Involuntary Commitment in North Carolina.” Featuring a diverse group of stakeholders, this session explored real-world challenges and potential solutions to ensure a more person-centered approach in crisis response.

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage in 16 breakout sessions, covering a wide range of recovery-focused topics, and hear from two inspiring keynote speakers:

• Jeff Walker of Wilkes Recovery Revolution, a peer-run Recovery Community Organization in Wilkes County, NC.
• Vesper Moore, an Indigenous activist and mental health rights leader, who spoke on recovery, advocacy, and the importance of elevating lived experiences in policy and practice.

Is there an easier way to learn and earn CE credits than to listen to a podcast while you are working out, cooking, doing yard work, or running errands? I can't think of one. In fact, I personally love listening and recording podcasts. And we've made it easy and cost effective to learn and earn with our Podcast CE Learning Series. So click to listen, register for credit, and pass the post-test to earn an hour of CE credits for your continuing educational development needs. All it costs is your time and attention; there is no fee!

We recently published two new timely and relevant episodes to our Podcast CE learning series where you can listen, learn, take a short post-test, and earn an hour CE credit for each episode.

16th Annual “One Community in Recovery” Conference Healing Together: Building Stronger Communities

Celebrating World Mental Health Day: The Importance of Reaching Out and Being Kind

Every year, on October 10th, people around the globe come together to raise awareness and take action for mental health. Known as World Mental Health Day, this day serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of nurturing our mental well-being, just as much as we care for our physical health. Here at Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC), we are proud to be part of this crucial conversation, striving to make a difference in the communities we serve.

In recent years, mental health has become a topic that is increasingly brought into the spotlight. Yet, it remains shrouded in stigma and misunderstanding. At Northwest AHEC, we believe that fostering open, honest conversations about mental health is key to breaking down these barriers. 

But what makes World Mental Health Day particularly powerful is its ability to bring people together. It’s not just about raising awareness; it's about creating a supportive network where individuals feel comfortable seeking help and offering support to one another. After all, mental health isn’t just a solitary journey—it’s a collective effort.

The Work We Do at Northwest AHEC

At Northwest AHEC, we are committed to offering programs that educate and support mental health initiatives. Our workshops and seminars are designed to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary tools to address mental health issues effectively. We are firm believers in the idea that education can be a powerful catalyst for change, and our events focus on broadening understanding, fostering empathy, and promoting resilience.

Moreover, we prioritize creating an environment where both professionals and community members can discuss mental health openly. Through collaborative discussions and interactive sessions, we aim to build a community that embraces mental health with compassion and understanding. 

Be Kind—To Yourself and Others

Kindness is a small but mighty tool that can make a world of difference. Whether it's being kind to yourself by acknowledging your feelings, or extending kindness to someone else who might be struggling, these gestures create a ripple effect that can transform lives.

On this World Mental Health Day, let’s make a conscious effort to practice kindness. Check in with yourself and those around you. Ask questions, listen actively, and offer support without judgment. Sometimes, even the smallest act of kindness can light up the darkest of days.

In conclusion, while World Mental Health Day is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on mental health, the conversation should continue every day. At Northwest AHEC, we are dedicated to advancing this dialogue and supporting our community in any way we can. Remember, it’s okay to reach out for help—there is always someone willing to listen. And always, always choose kindness—it’s more powerful than you might think.