Training Institute

Mental Health America of Indiana offers educational opportunities for prevention, treatment and   recovery professionals, advocates, and individuals who wish to enhance their understanding of behavioral health, including beginning or furthering their professional development in mental health and substance misuse. Our educational curricula include educational opportunities in the following categories: Peer Recovery Education, Clinical Education, Mental Health, Substance Misuse, and Supervision/Leadership. Our goal is to offer an in-depth understanding of the ever evolving behavioral health field and provide education that will allow persons to better assist those with behavioral health issues. Our trainings are offered on line, in-person, and our team can even visit you, on-site. To learn more about the Mental Health America of Indiana Training Institute and its various educational opportunities, please explore our course offerings below!

All MHAI SWD Training Institute courses provide continuing education units (CEU) for the following professions:

  • Social Workers
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Mental Health Counselors 
  • Certified Peer Support professionals (CAPRC, CHW/CRS and CCHW)

Ask us about:

  • Future Schedule: If you are interested in any of the listed trainings and do not see them scheduled on our training calendar, please feel free to contact us at education@mhai.net to inquire about the availability of these trainings in the future.
  • Onsite Training: Is your organization, or community, interested in hosting a private training for your team members on any of these subjects? If so, please feel free to contact us at education@mhai.net to learn more about how we can bring this education to your organization and/or community.
  • Custom Training: The MHAI Training Institute is dedicated to the advancement of behavioral health education. If there is an educational training that you wish to be made available that is not listed, please contact us at education@mhai.net to inquire about us creating a training specific to your organizations, professions and/or community’s needs.
  • Refund Policy: We at MHAI Stanley W. DeKemper Training Institute understand that life may not always go as planned. In the instance a registered education participant is unable to attend an educational event they have registered for, click here for the Training Institute Refund Policy.

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Addiction Recovery Coach Training
Training is designed for those desiring to provide recovery coaching in a variety of recovery settings. Participants will learn how to promote recovery for people seeking or in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction and how to help remove obstacles and barriers to recovery.

Duration: 5 day (30 hours)

Credits: 30 CEU


Peer Recovery Ethics
Peer Recovery Ethics is a two-day, interactive discussion around the ethical domains and criteria that peer recovery support professionals should follow to maximize outcomes for the populations the peer service. All participants will learn more about how to maintain ethical standards around the digital media age, boundary management and self-care. Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to maintain appropriate peer recovery ethical standards in the services the peer provides.

Duration: 2 day (16 hours)

Credits: 16 CEU


Peer Recovery Ethics-Beyond The Basics
Training for those whom have completed the ICAADA Peer Recovery Ethics two-day training (required). This one day training explores, in more detail, the ethical situations that peer recovery supports experience while providing peer recovery support. Participants will be able to explore professional ethical situations they have experienced and best practices to handle them. Each participant will leave this training with a plan of action to process and create correct plans of actions for ethical concerns.

Duration: 6 hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Peer Recovery Support: Ensuring We are at Our Best
Training involves a discussion-based presentation regarding how a peer can maintain healthy, ethical boundaries and situations that can arise due to the support peers provide. This discussion will assist with peers better understanding how to maintain healthy boundaries with the populations they serve. Peer will become better educated of effective self-disclosure and how to ensure that sharing their story is supportive of the recoveree’s progress and not to validate the peer providers story and/or status. Vicarious trauma will also be discussed and how to identify when additional support is needed for the peer. Identifying and implementing appropriate self-care will conclude this discussion. This discussion-based training is meant to be an overview of topics and give peers a base of understanding to seek out additional education on the topics discussed.

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Credits: 2 CEU


Peer Recovery Supervision Training
Effective and ethical supervision is a vital component for a successful Peer Recovery Support professional and Peer Recovery Support program. The competencies taught are structured to be a standard for effective Peer Recovery Support supervision. This training will benefit those currently supervising, and those aspiring to supervise, Peer Recovery Support professionals. 

Duration: 2-days (14 hours total)

Credits: 14 CEU


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Addiction Counseling Ethics
Training enables participants to explore the unique ethical dimensions and issues that a clinician may encounter in the provision of addiction treatment. The training will focus on the legal and moral issues that may surface while providing addiction treatment services. Training topics will include the definition of Addiction Counseling Ethics, ICAADA Code of Ethics, ethical responsibilities of addiction treatment, guidelines for ethical decision-making, digital, and ethics of professional development for addiction services. Training methods utilized will be lecturette-discussion, small group activities, and skill practice.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Addiction Counseling Competencies
Training is designed to familiarize the participant with the eight practice dimensions necessary for effective performance as an addiction’s counselor: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; counseling; client, family and community education; documentation; and professional and ethical responsibilities. These dimensions along with their associated 12 core competencies, as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), are the established national standards for addiction counseling practice. These standards are also utilized by state and national addictions counselor certification/license examinations. In this course, the student will develop entry level knowledge and skills across the eight practice dimensions that will help ready them for entering the addictions counseling field.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Advancing Addiction Recovery
Training is an interactive knowledge and skill development training designed for clinicians desiring to promote addiction recovery in a variety of settings. Participants will learn how to promote recovery for people seeking or in recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction and how to enhance the removal of obstacles and barriers to recovery during the treatment process. Multiple pathways of recovery will be examined so that the clinician will be able to support clients involved with different pathways. This course also offers an overview of the purpose, scope, roles, and techniques of recovery coaching so that the clinician may more effectively compliment the recovery coaching.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Psychopharmacology of Addiction
Training is intended to introduce the participant to drug administration, absorption, movement, and drug-receptor interactions. Participants will learn the psychoactive properties of each class of psychoactive drugs including the respective withdrawal abstinence syndromes. Participants will become familiar with current research in regard to biochemical abnormalities and their role in behavioral disorders. Participants will also become familiar with the etiology of co-occurring disorders.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Understanding the Science of Addiction Treatment
Training is intended to introduce the participant to the major theories and approaches of addiction treatment and recovery. Participants will consider addictions and case examples from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Science-based approaches to addiction treatment and recovery will highlighted and explored. This course will examine addictions from biological, psychological, social and spiritual domains. Additionally, individual, family, and cultural perspectives will be explored. This course will emphasize familiarity with the current research in the addictions counseling field.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Evidence-based Practices for Addiction Treatment and Recovery
This course will familiarize participants with SAMHSA’s Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) addiction resources and afford the participant opportunities to examine several addiction EBPs and assess the clinical application of these EBPs. Special focus will be given to EBPs that are consistent with the Indiana Division of mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) programs and initiatives. SAMHSA resources such as Treatment Improvement Protocols, guidance documents, clinical practice policies, toolkits, and other actionable materials that incorporate the latest scientific evidence on mental health and substance use and address Indiana DMHA priority areas will also be highlighted. Teaching methods will include lecturette-discussion, case studies and small groups.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Culture and Recovery
Training is designed to help recovery professionals be more effective in working with people in recovery from diverse cultures. Training participants will be afforded the opportunity to explore cultural humility, responsiveness, and competency practices as well as to build culturally effective skills. The culture of recovery will be examined and cultural perspectives.

Duration: 3-day (18 hour)

Credits: 18 CEU


HIV/AIDS Education & Risk Reduction
Training assist addiction professionals in helping their clients identify “high risk” activities/life styles that may increase the risk of exposure to HIV and/or the risk of transmitting HIV to others. The goal of this training is to improve the ability of addiction professionals in a variety of settings to support individuals in making behavior changes that will reduce their risk of acquiring and/or transmitting HIV as well as other health related conditions such as Hepatitis C.

Duration: 6 Hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist Training
The concept of medication assisted recovery is discussed identifying several key principles for practitioners to consider when working with people in recovery.  Training presents an overview of the three medications approved for the treatment of opioid dependence: methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone as well as the three medications approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence: naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate. Other topics include tools and resources to support medication assisted recovery; collaborating with MAT Providers, and; ethical issues.

Duration: 2.5 days (in person); 35 hours of distance learning

Credits: 35 CEU


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QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer
Intro “gatekeeper” suicide prevention training designed to help individuals recognize warning signs of suicidal ideation, ask them about suicide, persuade them to stay “safe for now”, and make a referral to a professional

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Credits: 2.5 CEU


safeTalk (suicide alertness for everyone)
Teaches participants to recognize and engage persons who might be having thoughts of suicide and to connect them with community resources trained in suicide intervention. SafeTALK stresses safety while challenging taboos that inhibit open talk about suicide.

Duration: 4 Hours

Credits: 4 CEU


Asist (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan that will support their immediate safety.

Duration: Two 8-hour days (16 hours)

Credits: 16 CEU


CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means)
Training to help providers implement counseling strategies to help clients at risk for suicide and their families reduce access to lethal means, particularly (but not exclusively) firearms.

Duration: 2 hours (120 minutes)

Credits: 2 CEU


Adult Mental Health First Aid
Teaches participant how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps participant identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

Duration: 8 hours

Credits: 8 CEU


First Responder Mental Health First Aid
Teaches first responders how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The training helps first responders identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses.

Duration: 8 hours

Credits: 8 CEU


Psychological First Aid
Teaches participants how to build resilience and support themselves and others during and followinbg a natural or man-made disaster or event by reviewing basic principles of providing psychological first aid, including how to recognize and manage stress in one’s self and in others, and how to lend support to family members, friends and coworkers.

Duration: 6 hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Suicide Prevention 101
This training provides an introduction to primary and secondary suicide prevention and intervention approaches, including improving and impacting the health of both individuals and populations.

Duration: 1 hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Depression and Anxiety in Youth
This training teaches individuals how to recognize signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in children and youth, along with strategies for providing assistance.

Duration: 1 hour

Credits: 1 CEU


The Effects of Trauma in First Responders: Wellness through Resiliency
This training will provide participants an overview of how working with a traumatized population affects responders, an understanding of the impact of vicarious trauma on organizations, and the ability to identify particular strategies that enhance both personal and professional resilience.

Duration: 1 hour

Credits: 1 CEU


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Check out our Clinical Education tab for more Substance Misuse education.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in a Nutshell
FASD in a Nutshell defines FASD, explains the disorders on the spectrum and symptoms associated with FASD

Duration: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)

Credits: 1.5 CEU


Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome 101
NAS 101 will explore: What is NAS?; How is the diagnosis made?; and What are the symptoms or needs one might expect to see after the diagnosis?

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


Whose Trigger is It?
Whose Trigger is it explores how past experiences can impact the way we interact with others and our work.

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 101
FASD 101 is a 6- hour interactive training that defines FASD, explores the effects of prenatal alcohol and offers positive interventions.

Duration: 6 hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Stigma from a Family View
Stigma from a Family View explores how stigma impacts families who could benefit from receiving appropriate services

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Interventions
FASD Interventions explores positive strategies to address behaviors associated with FASD

Duration: 1.5 hours (90 minutes)

Credits: 1.5 CEU


Bridging the Gaps with Children in Recovery
BGWCTR explores challenges families with substance use disorder can experience and positive interventions to assist with bridging gaps with children to recovery.

Duration: 6 hours

Credits: 6 CEU


Prenatal Substance Exposure: What You Need to Know
What You Need to Know was designed for mental providers to take a brief look at perinatal substance exposure from the perspective of the state, an agency and individual view

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


A Conversation about Zeb: Invisible Disability Stigma
A Conversation About Zeb explores the stigma individuals with an invisible disability can face.

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


Understanding Addiction for Caregivers
Understanding Addiction for Caregivers is designed to walk caregivers of children whose parents struggle with addiction.

Duration: 1 hour (60 minutes)

Credits: 1 CEU


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Peer Recovery Supervision Training
Effective and ethical supervision is a vital component for a successful Peer Recovery Support professional and Peer Recovery Support program. The competencies taught are structured to be a standard for effective Peer Recovery Support supervision. This training will benefit those currently supervising, and those aspiring to supervise, Peer Recovery Support professionals. 

Duration: 2-days (14 hours total)

Credits: 14 CEU


Find Training from List
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Check out our Training Calendar

Beyond Billboards – Using Media Advcoacy to Create Change
This webinar explains media advocacy, media advocacy tools, and how to use media advocacy to create change 

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Walking the Tightrope: Advocacy Vs. Lobbying 
This webinar  explains the differences between advocacy and lobbying and provides attendees with the tools needed to engage in both

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Lifecycles of a Coalition 
This webinar  explores the “life cycle” of coalitions, the challenges, opportunities for growth, and tips for building, maintaining, and motivating coalition members

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


It’s All Small Stuff 
This webinar explores how seemingly small things can impact ourselves and our work either negatively or positively and provides tips for knowing when to move past the “small stuff” and when to pay attention to it 

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Just the Facts
This webinar explores why data is so important in informing programs and policies and how to use data to develop persausive messages  

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Everybody’s Doing It – Changing the Messages About Underage Drinking 
This webinar explains the differences between social media and social marketing and provides tips for using social media to create effective social marketing campaigns 

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


Partners in Crime – How Communities and Law Enforcement Can Work Together
This webinar explores the role of the IN Alcohol and Tobacco Commission is reducing underage drinking and tips for communities on working with local and state law enforcement agencies in controlled party dispersal  

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


The Green Tide
This webinar explores the relationship between the alcohol and marijauna  industires, how they are working together for legalization, and what communites can do  

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


A Dog with Fleas – Environmental Strategies to Reduce Underage Drinking 
This webinar explores environmental strategies and how they can be used to reduce underage drinking 

Duration: 1 Hour

Credits: 1 CEU


The Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program (IPGAP), has developed a 30 hour disordered gambling treatment counselor training.  This course is free to Indiana Residents.  To receive an access to take the course at no charge, contact Mary Lay, maholtsc@indiana.edu. The course focuses on problem gambling, but provides a good overview of addiction issues as well.

Targeted at disordered Gambling Treatment and Prevention this on-line training provides 30 hours of disordered gambling specific training. The series is divided into 20 (twenty) 1.5-hour courses. Interested parties can take only 1 or all 20 courses.  Courses are self-paced and provide the foundation to provide treatment and prevention services for problem gamblers.

The courses are available through the IU Expand site and are available to anyone.  Each course in the series offers 1.5 hours of continuing education units. Completing the 30 hours of this series meets the minimum requirement for some problem Gambling Certifications.

To access the courses go to https://expand.iu.edu/browse/publichealth/pi/gambling

For more information, contact Mary Lay, MPH maholtsc@indiana.edu

The Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness is funded through a contract with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Indiana Gamblers’ Assistance Fund.