Description In the words of Mr. Rogers (Fred, not Carl), “Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.” All major psychotherapies involving encountering—rather than avoiding—unpleasant thoughts and feelings. Though talk therapy is powerful, it can be augmented with experiences that activate the brain in ways not typically experienced in a talk therapy session. Advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology, which have made VR technology more affordable and accessible than ever, now permit clients and counselors yet another means to expand beyond the confines of the typical therapy room to share safe but powerful therapeutic experiences. This training session was designed to introduce counselors to VR-assisted therapy and how it can be used for exposure therapy, relaxation (mindfulness training and somatic quieting), behavioral activation, social skills training, and psychoeducation. Meta analyses of VR-assisted exposure therapies show large effect sizes compared to control conditions that are comparable to other in vivo exposure approaches (Carl et al., 2019; Eshuis et al., 2021; Wechsler et al., 2019). Learning Objectives
Description
In the words of Mr. Rogers (Fred, not Carl), “Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.” All major psychotherapies involving encountering—rather than avoiding—unpleasant thoughts and feelings. Though talk therapy is powerful, it can be augmented with experiences that activate the brain in ways not typically experienced in a talk therapy session. Advancements in virtual reality (VR) technology, which have made VR technology more affordable and accessible than ever, now permit clients and counselors yet another means to expand beyond the confines of the typical therapy room to share safe but powerful therapeutic experiences. This training session was designed to introduce counselors to VR-assisted therapy and how it can be used for exposure therapy, relaxation (mindfulness training and somatic quieting), behavioral activation, social skills training, and psychoeducation. Meta analyses of VR-assisted exposure therapies show large effect sizes compared to control conditions that are comparable to other in vivo exposure approaches (Carl et al., 2019; Eshuis et al., 2021; Wechsler et al., 2019).
Learning Objectives
Presenter
Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, MCAP, CRC
Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT,
MCAP, CRC
Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, rehabilitation counseling, telehealth, and trauma treatment. He is passionated about the ethical use of technology in counseling. He has been providing virtual reality-assisted psychotherapy since 2018, served on the expert panel that created the standards and written exam for the Florida Certification Board’s Certified Telehealth Practitioner (CTP) credential, co-authored the draft for international standards for remote counseling for the International Association of Counsellors, and assisted with AMHCA’s historic adoption of ethical standards for the use of articifical intelligence in counseling. He serves as Executive Director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida’s Dept. of Mental Health Law & Policy, Southern Regional Director, Ethics Committee Liaison, and 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 has been published in several journals and professional magazines and has 20 years of experience as a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor.
CE BROKER TRACKING #: 20-1161234 This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns. Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID. TRAINING FEES (members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate) Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation: $10 Member $25 Nonmember $0 Student (with membership) $5 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)
CE BROKER TRACKING #: 20-1161234 This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns.
CE BROKER TRACKING #: 20-1161234
This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns.
Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID. TRAINING FEES
Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID.
TRAINING FEES
(members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate) Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation:
(members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate)
Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation:
$10 Member $25 Nonmember $0 Student (with membership) $5 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)
$10 Member
$25 Nonmember
$0 Student (with membership)
$5 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)
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