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Continuing Education

CARE Institute

Clinical Advancement Research & Education

The CARE Institute by Sandstone delivers high-quality dynamic continuing education for behavioral health professionals, led by clinical experts and industry thought leaders. More than a training provider, CARE inspires and energizes your work while driving meaningful skill-building, enrichment and career growth. Earn CE contact hours through qualifying programs meeting ASWB ACE and NBCC ACEP requirements.

Learn More about the CARE Institute

Upcoming Events

When Home Isn’t Safe: Understanding the Psychology, Dynamics, and Treatment of Domestic Violence (In-person)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Identify the dynamics of coercive control, the Cycle of Violence, and trauma bonding.
Analyze the psychological and relational dynamics that influence abuse relationships.
Apply trauma-informed principles to clinical assessment and case conceptualization.
Differentiate common clinical pitfalls from effective, survivor-centered clinical responses.

Register Here: https://tinyurl.com/CARE-DV2

Embodied Recovery: Using Somatic Interventions to Support Addiction Treatment (Virtual)

LEARNING objectives

Explain the relationship between trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and substance use through a somatic framework.
Describe how autonomic nervous system states can influence craving, relapse, emotional regulation, and treatment engagement.
Demonstrate three to five somatic interventions that can be safely integrated into addiction treatment across levels of care.

Register Here: tinyurl.com/embodiedrecovery

Creating Change: Communication Strategies for Working with the Whole Family (In-person)

LEARNING objectives

Identify how stress, fix, and avoidance responses can present in both young people and their caregivers.
Recognize when a client’s presentation is shaped by the family stress environment and caregivers should be engaged in care.
Apply “yes, and” and generous-interpretation strategies to strengthen therapeutic alliance and connection.
Understand how connection signals safety across the clinician, caregiver, and child relationship to support family-centered care and trauma mitigation.

Register Here: tinyurl.com/CreatingChange1

Past Events

Beyond the Numbers: Using Measurement-Based Care to Tell the Story of Healing and Document Successful Outcomes

LEARNING objectives:

Explain measurement-based care (MBC) and its benefits for therapeutic integration.
Identify and describe processes and procedures for using MBC for Quality Assurance.
Define the barriers to implementing MBC and discuss how to overcome adoption pushback.

The Dialectics of DBT: Beyond the Skills

LEARNING objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Identify correlations between behaviorism, brain development, and depression/anxiety in today’s younger generations.
Consider the multifaceted approach of ‘dialectics’—that multiple opposing factors can all be true at once.
Help clients identify the challenges in their lives that stand in the way of their values.
Understand and implement grounding and acceptance skills to promote lasting behavioral change in our clients.

When a Student Needs Treatment: Family Engagement Strategies and Best Practices

When a student needs treatment, school staff are often the first to notice and the first to reach out to families. This training builds the skills and confidence to do both well: spotting early warning signs, starting parent conversations and staying steady through difficult reactions, communication best practices, and practical tools. We will discuss when immediate safety action is needed, how to identify quality treatment providers, and connecting families with appropriate resources. Plus, a closer look at supporting high-achieving students who may be quietly struggling.

When A Student Needs Treatment Covercover Email

Motivational Interviewing for Adolescents and Emerging Adults

LEARNING objectives:

Define the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing.
Define ambivalence and recognize Change Talk and Sustain Talk.
Define and use the OARS skills.
Identify key biological, psychosocial, and cognitive characteristics of adolescent development.
Describe specific instances where Motivational Interviewing is indicated for clinical work with adolescents and emerging adults.

2.0 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

The Impact of CPTSD, Substance Use, and Residential Treatment on Adolescent Expression of Sexuality

LEARNING objectives:

Recognize patterns of behavior consistent with CPTSD & SUD in adolescents in residential settings
Define the relationship between sexuality and substance use, and how CPTSD influences both
Design effective programming for the needs of youth in residential settings, with flexibility and language inclusive of changing identities

The Intersection of Attachment Trauma and Addiction: Implications for Treatment

LEARNING objectives:

Describe how childhood trauma and broken attachment bonds affect addiction.
Distinguish how to treat clients who have an addiction, level of care options, and evidence-based treatment.
Assess and refer a client for substance treatment.

Right Level, Right time: Navigating ASAM Levels of Care for Alcohol Use Disorder

LEARNING objectives:

Define alcohol use disorder (AUD) and briefly describe ways a professional may be able to screen and diagnose these patients.
List and describe the six ASAM dimensions and explain how they influence level-of-care placement for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Differentiate between outpatient, intensive outpatient, high intensity outpatient, residential, and withdrawal management levels of care for AUD based on clinical risk factors.
Identify at least three indicators that warrant referral to medically monitored or medically managed withdrawal services.
Apply ASAM criteria to case examples to determine the most appropriate level of care.
Formulate appropriate referral questions to improve placement accuracy and decrease time to safe placement.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Learning objectives:

Define Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Demonstrate knowledge of basic medication options for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), including their risks, benefits, and side effects
Compare outcomes for OUD patients treated with and without medication

1.25 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

The Dialectics of DBT: Beyond the Skills

Learning objectives:

Discover some of the correlations between behaviorism, brain development, and depression/anxiety in today’s younger generations.
Consider the multifaceted approach of ‘dialectics’— that multiple opposing factors can all be true at once.
Apply dialectics to work with clients to identify the challenges in their lives that stand in the way of their values.
Understand and implement grounding and acceptance skills to promote lasting behavioral change in our clients.

Raising the Bar on Treatment Outcomes: Integrating Measurement-Based Care, Tracking Progress, and Utilizing Patient Data for Successful Outcomes

Learning objectives:

To understand MBC and its benefits therein for therapeutic integration.
To consider the multifaceted approaches in tracking client progress to improve outcomes.
To identify processes and procedures toward implementing practices of MBC and ethical outcomes.
To consider the importance of MBC in assessment of risk and higher level of care referrals.

1.5 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Raising the Bar on Treatment Outcomes

Learning objectives:

Explain measurement-based care and its benefits for therapeutic integration.
Compare multifaceted approaches in tracking client progress to improve outcomes.
Identify and describe processes and procedures for implementing measurement-based care practices and ethical outcomes reporting into their own practice or facility.
Summarize the importance of MBC in assessment of risk and higher level of care referrals.

Supporting Middle and High School Students with School Avoiding Behaviors

Learning Objectives

List 3 possible underlying causes of school avoiding behavior.
Identify 8 strategies participants can utilize in both school and clinical treatment settings with young clients in middle and high school.
Develop a treatment plan for supporting a student who has school avoiding behavior.

2 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Navigating the Battlefield at Home: Specialized Strategies for Supporting Military Families

Learning Objectives

Gain critical knowledge and skills needed to support military families effectively.
Get a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by spouses, children, and extended family members of active-duty service members and veterans.
Become equipped with practical tools to enhance your clinical approach, build trust with military families, and provide culturally competent mental health support.

1.5 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Working With LGBTQ+ Clients 101

Learning Objectives

Describe one or more risk and protective factors for LGBTQ+ adolescents, adults, and their families for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Utilize one or more strategies to integrate LGBTQ+-affirming care in their clinical practice.
Utilize one or more strategies to support LGBTQ+ adolescents, adults, and/or their families in their cultural context.

2.0 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Treatment Resistant Neuropsychiatric Illness

Please join Dr. Steve Best of the Neuroscience Center and Sandstone Care for an engaging presentation about the nuances of treatment-resistant neuropsychiatric illness. Dr. Best will discuss the extent, causes, evaluation, and treatment approaches for this complex condition. Complimentary lunch provided by Sandstone Care.

Legal & Ethical Considerations with Children Adolescents, & Emerging Adults

Learning Objectives

Apply the six common ethical principles identified by Beauchamp and Childress to dilemmas encountered by therapists working with children, adolescents and emerging adults
Explain how the developmental readiness of children, adolescents, emerging adults and their parents influence each of the three elements of validly consenting or assenting to treatment
Explain how the way a therapist handles LGBTQ+ and other sensitive issues might affect the therapeutic relationship, even with youth to whom those issues do not seem to apply

2.25 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Understanding Higher Levels of Care

This workshop will increase attendees’ understanding of higher levels of care and how to make referrals for patients.

Participants will understand the differences between 3 levels of care, gain competence in determining when to refer for higher levels of care, and how to create a high quality referral for long-term treatment optimization.

Understanding Higher Levels Of Care CEU Event Flyer 3 2

Unpacking Unknown Bias

Learning Objectives

Define various types of bias.
Recognize when their own bias shows up and articulate how this may impact the therapeutic relationship.
Discuss strategies for navigating any bias once they become aware.

Assessment & Treatment of Suicidal Behaviors: Best Practices with Adolescent & Young Adults

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Identify 3 considerations when assessing for suicide risk with adolescents and young adults.
Describe 3 components of creating a collaborative safety plan with youth/young adults and their support systems and/or caregivers.
Describe 2 treatment interventions for suicidality.
Describe 3 possible reasons for the presentation of suicidal behaviors in adolescence.

1.25 CE hours can be obtained by completing the webinar here. Free TPN account required.

Virtual CEU Event Assessment And Treatment Of Suicidal Behaviors 3

Emerging Substances of Abuse

a poster for an event with a man in a suit and tie

Learning Objectives

Identify emerging substances of abuse (i.e. tianeptine, xylazine, delta-8 THC)
Discuss complications related to emerging substances
Discuss treatment options for emerging substances

LGBTQ+ Concerns in the Medical and Behavioral Health Fields

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Verbalize the differences between sexuality and gender and common terms associated and used in each area.
Recognize barriers to care for LGBTQ+ community members and how to overcome some of these issues.
Identify at least two ways to create safer spaces for both patients and staff for those within the community.

Is it Maladaptive? Challenging Our Perceptions

Is it Maladaptive? Webinar

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Define and identify maladaptive coping.
List at least 2 alternative ways to manage self-harm and suicidal ideations with clients.
Assess how the clinician’s reaction impacts client responses.

Understanding The Current State of Fentanyl Use and Treatment

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Discuss how Fentanyl differs from other opioids, and what makes it so dangerous.
Identify the present epidemiological trends concerning Fentanyl use.
List potential treatment and recovery options associated with Fentanyl abuse.

Current State of Fentanyl Use & Treatment

Important Information about the CARE Institute

CARE Institute by Sandstone, [2712], is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: [5/22/2026 – 5/22/2027].

CARE Institute by Sandstone has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8107. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CARE Institute by Sandstone is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Any questions or concerns regarding CARE Institute may be directed to Deborah Lawton at Deborah.Lawton@sandstonecare.com

CE Hour Eligibility

Live and on-demand courses eligible for ASWB and NBCC continuing education hours are clearly identified. For all CE events, participants must remain in attendance for the duration of the training and complete the post-course evaluation in order to receive credits. On-demand courses also require completion of a post-test. Certificates for hours earned will be issued by email within 10-14 business days.

Confidentiality and Record Keeping

CARE Institute safeguards all participant information, including personal information, attendance records, assessment results, evaluations, and communication. Confidentiality is maintained in compliance with professional ethics, accreditor standards, and applicable privacy laws. In accordance with accreditor and confidentiality standards, CARE Institute retains and security stores CE records for 5 years.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest

CARE Institute takes care to offer programs that are free from commercial bias, undue influence, and conflicts of interest that may compromise instructional integrity or participant learning. All instructors, content developers, reviewers, and staff involved in CE activities must disclose any real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. Identified conflicts are reviewed, documented, and managed or resolved before the program is delivered. No course proceeds without completed disclosures.

Views, information, and opinions expressed by CE presenters are solely those of the presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Sandstone Care, CARE Institute, or accreditors. Appearance at a CARE Institute event does not imply Sandstone Care or CARE Institute’s endorsement of a presenter’s statements, clinical methods, products, or services. Presenters are responsible for disclosing any relevant financial relationships and avoiding commercial bias.

Cancellations, Fees, and Refunds

Many CARE Institute programs are free of charge. Program fees, where applicable, are clearly listed on promotional materials and may vary by program.

CARE Institute may cancel a program due to: low enrollment; instructor emergency; technology failure; environmental or safety concerns.

If applicable, participants will receive a full refund or option to transfer to another date or course.

ADA Accommodations

CARE Institute provides reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Participants may request accommodations during registration, in writing prior to the course, or directly to staff if immediate needs arise. To request accommodations, please contact Deborah Lawton at Deborah.Lawton@sandstonecare.com.

Grievances

Participants may submit grievances related to: content quality; instructor behavior; bias or inappropriate content; accessibility issues; administrative errors; certificate or attendance disputes. Grievances may be submitted in writing, via email, to Deborah.Lawton@sandstonecare.com. Grievances must include participant name, course title, description of concern, date of occurrence, and desired resolution.

Training Materials and Intellectual Property

Training materials remain the property of CARE Institute or the original author. Participants may: download materials for personal study; reference materials for their own learning; retain copies for personal professional development. All other uses are prohibited, unless explicit written permission is given by the author.