Upcoming Trainings

Promoting Inclusivity for Children & Families Impacted by Problematic Sexual Behavior

Tuesday, November 18, 3:00pm-5:00pm EST

Presenter: 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.

2 CEUs will be provided to licensed Maryland Social Workers, Professional Counselors and Psychologists.
Cost: Free for attendees not requesting CEU’s, $15.00 for CEU attendees
Please note, training registration will close 1 hour prior to the training. You will be unable to register after this time.

A Non-Therapist’s Guide to Supporting Children and Families in Child Sexual Abuse Cases

Monday, November 24, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

Presenter: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Your role matters when a child or family is impacted by child sexual abuse (CSA), whether you are a teacher, attorney, caseworker, advocate, medical provider, law enforcement officer, volunteer, coach, mentor, faith leader, or a trusted friend or family member. From the moment of disclosure through investigations, court proceedings, and long-term recovery, you can make a profound difference in helping children feel safe, supported, and believed.

This training offers practical, trauma-informed strategies for anyone in a child’s orbit who is not serving as their therapist. Participants will discuss how to respond to disclosures, support children and caregivers during investigative and legal processes, maintain healthy boundaries, and partner effectively with other professionals. Participants will leave with tools for offering steady, ethical, and compassionate support while staying grounded in their unique role.

Protecting Every Voice: Supporting Multilingual Children in Abuse Prevention and Response

Friday, December 5, 9-11 am EST

Presenter: Stefany Zalaya, MPH

Multilingual children may face unique challenges in disclosing and seeking help for child sexual abuse. Language barriers and cultural differences can impact a child and their family’s ability to access support. This training equips professionals with the knowledge and tools to navigate these complexities with cultural humility and trauma-informed care. Participants will define CSA and explore how linguistic and cultural differences influence disclosure and support-seeking behaviors. This session offers practical tools for fostering safe, accessible, and inclusive environments that support multilingual children.

Risks & Responses to Children Sharing Explicit Materials

Wednesday, December 10, 9-11 am EST

Presenter: Chelsea McGonigle

In today’s hyperconnected world, the Internet plays a central role in how we think, communicate, and present ourselves. This interactive training session examines the psychological and social effects of Internet use, particularly among young people and young adults. Participants will gain insight into how online engagement affects behavior, while also examining the social dynamics that influence how and why people use the Internet.

Key topics include the pressures to stay constantly connected, the role of social media in shaping self-image, and the growing trend of sharing personal images online. Through real-life examples and guided discussions, attendees will assess the risks and consequences of image sharing and acquire practical strategies to make informed, safe, respectful, and thoughtful decisions when navigating digital spaces.

Ethical Pathways: Safeguarding Therapists in Sexual Abuse Survivor Care

Friday, January 9, 10:00am-1:00pm EST

Kathleen Kerner, Esq., & Amie Myrick, LCPC

This training session is designed to equip therapists with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of providing care to sexual abuse survivors while avoiding malpractice. This collaborative training, led by an experienced therapist and malpractice attorney, will offer a comprehensive overview of ethical guidelines, legal considerations, and best practices to ensure the highest standards of care.

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.

Feeling Too Little: Understanding and Treating Dissociation as an Adaptive Survivor Response

Wednesday, January 21, 12:00pm-2:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Dissociation is more than just “checking out” – it is an adaptive survival response that allows the mind and body to cope with overwhelming experiences. For trauma survivors, dissociation can persist long after the danger has passed, disrupting attention, memory, and the sense of self. This training helps professionals understand dissociation as part of the body’s protective system, recognize its subtle and overt forms, and respond effectively in treatment. Participants will learn how to identify dissociative cues, assess their function, and use grounding, pacing, and co-regulation strategies to help clients safely reconnect. The session will also address how dissociation presents in children and how developmental context shapes both recognition and intervention.

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.

Their Tech, Their Terms: Promoting Online Safety for Young Adults

Monday, February 9, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Young adults are navigating an online world filled with opportunity – and risk. This session helps professionals understand the realities of online engagement among 18–24-year-olds, including exposure to scams, sextortion, and coercive relationships. Participants will learn practical, trauma-informed strategies to support young adults in recognizing red flags, setting boundaries, and using simple tools to stay safe online. The session emphasizes empowerment over fear, helping professionals guide young adults in protecting themselves, their connections, and their online spaces while maintaining agency and trust.

A Phase-Oriented Approach to Trauma Treatment: Building Core Skills for Safe, Effective, and Responsive Care

Monday, February 23, 2:00pm-5:00pm EST

Presented by: Amie Myrick, LCPC

Trauma treatment is most effective when it is grounded in ethics, guided by evidence, and paced according to the survivor’s readiness. This training provides a comprehensive overview of phase-based trauma work, with a strong focus on the critical first stage: safety and stabilization. Participants will explore foundational skills for strengthening regulation skills, managing dissociation, and fostering a sense of safety and control. The session also introduces core considerations for entering the trauma-processing phase, including a brief overview of emerging modalities like Deep Brain Reorienting. Finally, participants will examine what reconnection can look like in the later stages of healing, and what competencies are required of clinicians to do this work ethically and effectively. Designed for those beginning or deepening their trauma treatment practice, this session blends clinical insight with practical strategies for safe, responsive care.

A Conversation with Child Advocacy Center Leaders: Building Clarity and Strengthening Connection

Thursday, February 26, 12:00pm-3:00pm EST

Presented by: Crimson Barocca, LCSW-C, Center for Hope; Dana Cala, LGSW, Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center; Molly Cupid, LCSW-C, The Tree House CAC of Montgomery County; Robin Grove, Frederick County Child Advocacy Center; Amie Myrick, LCPC

Join four experienced Child Advocacy Center (CAC) leaders for a meaningful conversation about how CACs work, what families experience, and how understanding the CAC process can help us all work better together. This conversation will offer a grounded, relational look at the multidisciplinary approach that brings law enforcement, child protection, medical, mental health, and advocacy professionals together to support children and families with compassion and care. Participants will gain insight into the CAC model, learn practical ways to strengthen collaboration and communication, have opportunities to ask questions, and leave with renewed clarity and confidence in how we can collectively promote safety, healing, and hope.

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

Monday, March 3, 10:00am-12:00pm EST

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

Part I of this two-part training offers an in-depth look at the Child Protective Services (CPS) screening process, including what happens after a report is made and how decisions are reached. Led by experienced professionals from the Frederick County Department of Social Services, this session will explain how reports are evaluated, discuss relevant legal standards, and consider why some cases are accepted while others are not. Participants will also discuss the balance between fulfilling mandated reporting responsibilities and avoiding unnecessary reports that don’t meet the legal threshold.

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.

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

Wednesday, March 25, 10:00am-12:00pm 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.

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.