Upcoming Trainings

Telehealth in Trauma Therapy: Ethics, Connection, and Care

Tuesday, March 24, 2:00pm-5:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Telehealth opens doors for trauma therapy but also the potential for new ethical and relational challenges. This training explores the intersection of ethics, clinical presence, and trauma-informed care in virtual settings. Participants will examine considerations and contraindications for telehealth trauma treatment, along with practical guidance for maintaining safety, connection, and attunement online. Emphasis will be placed on transparency and communication practices that sustain trust—such as narrating off-screen actions, preparing for technical disruptions, and responding to signs of activation or dissociation. Through discussion and reflection, participants will gain tools to provide ethical, grounded, and compassionate care in the digital space.

This training meets the ethics requirement for license renewal with the Board of Social Work Examiners.

3 CEUs will be awarded to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: Free for attendees not requesting CEU’s, $25.00 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close 1 hour prior to the training. You will be unable to register after this time.

After the Call: Understanding CPS Investigations and Outcomes – Part II

Wednesday, March 25, 12:00pm-2:00pm EST

Kristen Dunn and Meghan McGowan, Frederick County Department of Social Services

Part II of this two-part training focuses on CPS response after a report is accepted, including investigation protocols, legal processes, and the limits of DSS authority. Participants will learn what DSS can and cannot do, how determinations are made (substantiated, unsubstantiated, indicated), and when legal action such as removal is warranted. The session will also address the difference between voluntary and court-ordered services, common frustrations reporters have with perceived inaction, and strategies for building constructive partnerships with DSS.

2 CEUs will be awarded to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: Free for attendees not requesting CEU’s, $20.00 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close 1 hour prior to the training. You will be unable to register after this time.

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Tuesday, April 7, 9:00am-3:00pm EST

Presented by: Chelsea McGonigle

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is a comprehensive early-intervention training program designed to empower adults with the knowledge and confidence to support young people facing mental health challenges. This program teaches participants how to identify common signs and symptoms of emerging mental health concerns, recognize when a youth may be experiencing a crisis, and respond with calm, nonjudgmental listening and appropriate reassurance. Trainees also learn how to guide adolescents toward professional help and community resources, ensuring they receive the support they need. In addition to building practical intervention skills, YMFHA fulfills the state-mandated requirements outlined in HB 902 (Youth Suicide Risk) and HB 947 (Lauryn’s Law), making it an essential training for anyone working closely with you.

5.5 CEUs will be awarded to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: $30 for non-CEU attendees, $50 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close on 4/2. You will be unable to register after this time.

Empowering Counselors: Essentials of Mandated Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse

Monday, April 13, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

This training is designed to equip helping professionals with a thorough understanding of the mandated reporting requirements for child sexual abuse (CSA). The session will describe the basic steps for reporting suspected CSA and the process that follows, delve into the complexities of reporting CSA when the survivor is an adult, and introduce ways to approach these sensitive conversations with clients. Participants will gain practical knowledge on the legal obligations, ethical considerations, and communication strategies necessary for effective and compassionate mandated reporting.

2 CEUs will be awarded to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: Free for non-CEU attendees, $20 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close one hour prior to the training start time. You will be unable to register after this time.

Beyond the Basics: Navigating Mandated Reporting & Internet Safety

Tuesday, April 28, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Professionals who are already familiar with the basics of mandated reporting may still encounter complex situations where the path forward isn’t clear. This training helps professionals sharpen their skills and judgment when navigating ambiguous or borderline cases of suspected child abuse or neglect, particularly when technology is involved. The session also addresses the importance of promoting safe and healthy online practices in a variety of contexts, including in schools and homes. Through case examples and reflective discussion, professionals will leave the training with skills to make sound, ethical, and legally aligned decisions and promote protective practices in their work with children and families.

This training moves beyond a basic review of mandated reporting to focus on the complex, real-world situations professionals face – especially when technology is involved. We’ll revisit reporting requirements in Maryland, explore how online behaviors intersect with child safety, and walk through case examples that require thoughtful judgment. We hope you’ll leave this training with practical strategies to support safer online environments in schools, homes, and clinical settings.

Connected Harm: Responding to Teen Dating Violence and Child Sexual Abuse

Wednesday, April 29, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST

Presented by: Chelsea McGonigle

This training guides attendees through a thoughtful exploration of how teen dating violence and child sexual abuse can intersect within adolescent relationships. Participants will examine current prevalence data, gain a deeper understanding of how these forms of harm can emerge and overlap, and work to challenge common misconceptions that may prevent effective identification and response. The session emphasizes trauma-sensitive approaches, helping participants recognize how these experiences can affect a young person’s mental health, peer and family relationships, and engagement in school. Participants will also learn about coordinated supports and intervention strategies that promote safety, healing, and resilience for affected students.

Promoting Inclusivity for Children & Families Impacted by Problematic Sexual Behavior

Tuesday, May 5, 12:00pm-2:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Childhood problematic sexual behaviors affect a significant number of children and families. Impacted individuals need acceptance, nonjudgment, and appropriate treatment. Yet, it can be difficult for families to find support after problematic sexual behavior occurs, as many professionals and those in the public view children who engage in problematic sexual behavior to be beyond hope. In this session, learn (1) the difference between typical and problematic sexual behaviors among children, (2) needs of children and families impacted, and (3) ways to increase your organization’s responsiveness to and inclusion of families impacted by this childhood problematic sexual behavior.

Collective Conversations Conference: Setting Hope in Motion

Monday, May 11 and Tuesday May 12, 8:00am-4:00pm EST

Presented by: Change the Conversation & Springboard Community Services

Collective Conversations: Setting Hope in Motion is where people from various fields can come together to share honestly about what works, what’s challenging, and what’s next in preventing harm and promoting healing from child abuse.

It’s not your typical conference. It’s about connection, conversation, and shared purpose. You’ll hear bold ideas, real stories, and practical tools you can bring back to your work right away. Each session is designed to spark reflection, invite collaboration, and remind us why this work matters — and how we can set it in motion together.

10.5 CEUs have been applied for through the American Academy of Pediatrics (for Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Nurses. 10.5 CEUs have been applied for through the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) and National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC): Counselors.

Cost: $375

From Checklist to Conversation: Recognizing & Responding to Trafficking Risk in Children and Adolescents

Thursday, May 28, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Human trafficking does not always begin with dramatic events. It often unfolds through relationships, unmet needs, and patterns that are easy to miss. Children and adolescents may experience pressure, secrecy, or control in both online and in-person settings without recognizing what is happening. In this session, participants will build a practical understanding of how trafficking and grooming develop over time, learn developmentally appropriate ways to talk with elementary and middle school youth about vulnerability and safety, and strengthen their ability to respond to concerns with calm conversation while understanding when consultation and reporting are required.

Ethics in Action: Navigating Supervision, Teams, and Systems with Integrity

Monday, Jun 22, 2:00pm-5:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Ethical decision-making doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s shaped by relationships, systems, and culture. This training supports professionals in navigating complex ethical issues that arise not only in direct practice, but also in supervisory roles, organizational leadership, and team dynamics. Participants will explore how to recognize and respond to ethical dilemmas related to power, dual relationships, confidentiality, professional responsibilities, and cultural responsiveness across these different levels. The session will draw from relevant professional codes of ethics (e.g., responsibilities to clients, colleagues, supervisees, and the profession) and offer practical frameworks for ethical analysis and action. Through interactive case examples, group discussion, and reflection, participants will gain tools for fostering ethical climates in their supervision, organizational practices, and team cultures – especially when working in settings impacted by trauma or serving vulnerable populations.

This training meets the ethics requirement for license renewal with the Board of Social Work Examiners.

3 CEUs will be awarded to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: Free for non-CEU attendees, $25 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close one hour prior to the training start time. You will be unable to register after this time.

Building Protective Capacity: Strengths-Based Strategies for Engaging Caregivers After Disclosure

Tuesday, Jun 23, 12:00pm-2:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

A caregiver’s response after a child discloses sexual abuse plays a critical role in healing. While many caregivers respond with belief and protection, others react with denial, anger, shutdown, loyalty conflicts, or confusion. These reactions can reflect overwhelm, fear, or shock rather than an absence of care. This training takes a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach to engaging caregivers after disclosure while remaining grounded in child safety. Participants will learn how stress can shape caregiver reactions, how to recognize and strengthen emerging protective behaviors, and how to reduce defensiveness without minimizing risk. The session also addresses how to navigate situations where protective capacity is inconsistent, including maintaining clear boundaries and collaborating to ensure safety. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to build caregiver engagement, reinforce protective behaviors, and respond confidently in complex situations.

Change the Conversation is a board approved sponsor and will issue all Category A Continuing Education Units through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists.

Pro Bono Counseling is a Board approved sponsor with the Maryland Board of Social Worker Examiners and American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Pro Bono Counseling maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The program is a live continuing education workshop held virtually via Zoom.

Don’t see the training you’re looking for? Request one for your team or organization here.