The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is offering free continuing education through their Culture and Trauma Speaker Series.

November 18, 2009
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
It’s Not All Black & White: Working with African-American Families in Post-Katrina New Orleans

December 16, 2009
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
Clinical Implications of Spirituality, Religion, and Child Trauma Recovery

January 20, 2010
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
Making Strengthening Family Coping Resources Relevant to African-American Families in Urban Poverty Contexts: Stakeholder Input in the Treatment Development Process

February 17, 2010
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
In-Home TF-CBT and the Self-Reflection Process

March 17, 2010
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
Cultural Considerations in Working with Latino Clients Using the Child-Parent Psychotherapy Model

April 21, 2010
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
Immigration & Trauma: Clinical Observations of Four Immigrant Psychotherapists Working with Latino Immigrant Families

May 19, 2010
1 pm EST / 12 pm CST / 10 am PST
Hispanic Stigmas Toward Trauma Treatment & Engagement Recommendations in TF-CBT

To sign up or get additional information about these distance learning opportunities, click here.

Tags: Continuous Learning, Culture, Distance Learning, Trauma

Not everything that’s therapeutic is therapy.

"Magic" by Jess Lo

And, as a matter of fact, not everything that’s called “therapy” is actually therapy!

Here’s an interesting website that talks about The Healing of Magic.  If you are looking for new tools to augment your work, perhaps you can find some creative ones here.

Tags: Continuous Learning, Disabilities

I’m still reading Be a Shortcut: The Secret Fast Track To Business Success by Scott G. Halford.  Here are five more identifying characteristics that I’ve found:

"Hobbity" by Rakka

1. Shortcuts are resourceful and often rely on their relationship assets.
2. Shortcuts collaborate and negotiate rather than compete.
3. Shortcuts know that their networks wither without time, attention and care.
4. Shortcuts seek out new challenges.
5. Shortcuts are involved in continuous learning and take responsibility for their own personal and professional growth.  They do not rely on external motivation to learn new information or to develop new skills.

I live in a state that, I’m embarrassed to say, doesn’t require continuing education for the licensed professionals in the health care fields.  Because of that, I’m particularly aware how this last one – taking responsibility for continuous learning – really does set you apart as a shortcut.

Those of us who take the initiative to continue our education on a consistent basis really are the ones that develop a reputation as having a depth of knowledge in our respective fields.  We really are the ones that become the shortcuts.

Have you found an area yet that you can work on to build your reputation as a shortcut?

Tags: Continuous Learning, Health Care, Network, Reputation, Shortcuts