Presented by: Amy Wong Hope, MSW, LCSW

February 1 & 2, 9am-6pm Mountain Time Zone

Synchronous online via Zoom

This course explores the complex history of psychedelics, past and current legal status, policy development, and potential uses. A combination of lectures, discussions, readings, and experiential exercises will support students as they explore the various ways in which psychedelic compounds have been used throughout history from ancient Indigenous practices up to current controversies surrounding their therapeutic benefits. Topics covered in this course will include an overview of modern psychedelic research and how it has been influenced by Indigenous usage, the political and cultural opinions about psychedelics in the 1970s, the current legal status of psychedelic compounds across the globe, and legalization/decriminalization. The various potential uses of these substances in therapy for mental health issues and for creativity and personal growth will be discussed. Students will be invited to contribute to current debates as well as discern relevant evidence-based resources in psychedelic studies.

16 CEs for Licensed Professionals
Applies to the Psychedelic Studies Certificate

Amy Wong Hope, MA, LCSW, is the Certificate Program Director of the Psychedelic Studies Certificate. Amy is trained as an MDMA-assisted therapist through the (MAPS) Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies and co-author of Small Doses of Awareness: A Microdosing Companion (due to be published spring 2024). Amy maintains a private practice with a focus on trauma-informed modalities and shame-resilience approaches that support clients in restoring emotional, somatic, and relational resiliency.

Presented by: Laura Rademacher, MA, LMFT, CST, CST-S

February 8 & 9, 9am-6:30pm Mountain Time Zone

Synchronous online via Zoom

As various forms of ethical non-monogamy (ENM) become more common, it is vital that clinicians learn best practices in working with diverse relationship structures. This class will widen the participant’s knowledge of the many different forms and flavors of ENM, and explore how established psychological theories, such as attachment theory and systems theory, can be applied in work with ENM clients. Through case studies we will explore ethical issues such as special considerations in working with more than two people, such as how to determine who should attend sessions, how to maintain therapeutic alliance with multiple people, and when co-therapy might be a helpful model. Participants will explore their own feelings, biases, and experiences with various relationship structures to be aware of and avoid harmful countertransference.

16 CEs for Licensed Professionals
Applies to the Human Sexuality Certificate

Laura Rademacher, MA, LMFT, CST, CST-S, is the Director of the Human Sexuality Certificate program. She is an AASECT certified sex and relationship therapist with over 15 years of experience as a sex-positive sexual health educator. She is the author of “The Principles of Pleasure: Working with the Good Stuff as Sex Therapists and Educators.”

Presented by: Richard Pelfrey, BA, LADAC, NCAC

February 22 & 23, 9am-6pm Mountain Time Zone

Synchronous online via Zoom

This course will examine the impact of substance use on the developing brain and explore strategies and techniques for prevention and treatment of substance abuse among adolescents. Neurological mechanisms, epigenetic predispositions, sociocultural messaging, and other risk factors underlying chemical dependence will be explored from a trauma-centered viewpoint. Misconceptions regarding the etiology of substance use disorders, such as heredity of substance use, will be examined in service to prevention, harm reduction, intervention, and treatment planning strategies for counseling adolescents.

16 CEs for Licensed Professionals
Applies to the Addictions, Abuse and Recovery & Children’s Mental Health Certificates

Richard Pelfrey, MS, LADAC, NCAC, has been holding space for the resolution and reintegration of trauma and addictions of all forms for the past 12 years. While becoming licensed as an addictions counselor, Richard heard the call to expand his work with people beyond traditional models and began exploring alternative methods for the resolution of trauma. Richard is trained and certified in Trauma Sensitive Yoga, Wim Hoff method, and Brainspotting, meditation leadership and grief counseling, and incorporates all of these modalities as well as a decade of apprenticeship in the Toltec wisdom path and traditional earth-based ceremony in his focused work with individuals and groups for the purpose of healing and finding our highest joy and artistry in life.