Animal-Assisted Therapy - Live Online Interactive (3 CE)

Course Level: Beginner, Intermediate

This Course Is For: Social Workers, Counselors, and Marriage & Family Therapists

Course Format: This is a live, interactive online course taught by an instructor via Zoom. Participants are required to attend the live online workshop, participate in group discussion, and complete the course evaluation before earning the certificate of attendance.

Course Developed By: Natalie Liberman, MSW, LCSW; M.A, LMFT

Bio: Natalie Liberman is a multi-lingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her first Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Natalie also holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Dubna.

Course Description:

Animals have been used by people for many purposes for thousands of years. Dogs have been used as guards, guides, messengers, and hunting partners, and today are the most commonly utilized therapy animal. This course will go over the history of the evolution of the relationship people share with dogs and describe how dogs and other animals have taken on an important role in the lives of people including therapeutic treatment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the difference between service animals, including psychiatric service animals, Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), and therapy animals, including facility animals.
2. Evaluate a client’s potential need for animal-assisted therapy and decide whether the client would benefit more from a service animal, ESA, or another form of animal-assisted treatment.
3. Show clients how to locate a facility from which they can receive a service animal that is trained to their specific needs.
4. Determine when it is clinically responsible to write an ESA letter and write a valid ESA letter that follows proper guidelines.
5. Describe which federal and state laws protect handlers of service animals, ESAs, and therapy animals.
6. Summarize the best ways to go about attempting to live with assistance animals in “no pets” homes or attempting to fly with assistance animals.

Course Agenda:

Weekend:

9:00am – 9:15am

• Introduction to Course

9:15am-10:00am

• History of Assistance Animals

10:00am-10:15am

• Service Animals
• Qualifying a Current Pet
• Access Rights

10:15am-10:30am

• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

10:30am-10:45am

• Airline Issues
• Additional DOT Rules

10:45am-11:00am

• Examples of Qualifying DSM-5 Disabilities
• ESA Letters

11:00am-11:15am

• ESAs and Psychiatric Service Animals
• Access Rights

11:15am-11:45am

• Therapy Animals
• Does Animal-Assisted Therapy Work?
• Incorporating Animals into Treatment

11:45am-12:00pm

• Conclusion, Q&A

Evening:

5:00pm – 5:15pm

• Introduction to Course

5:15pm-6:00pm

• History of Assistance Animals

6:00pm-6:15pm

• Service Animals
• Qualifying a Current Pet
• Access Rights

6:15pm-6:30pm

• Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

6:30pm-6:45pm

• Airline Issues
• Additional DOT Rules

6:45pm-7:00pm

• Examples of Qualifying DSM-5 Disabilities
• ESA Letters

7:00pm-7:15pm

• ESAs and Psychiatric Service Animals
• Access Rights

7:15pm-7:45pm

• Therapy Animals
• Does Animal-Assisted Therapy Work?
• Incorporating Animals into Treatment

7:45pm-8:00pm

• Conclusion, Q&A

Course Completion Requirements:

Attendees must be present for the duration of the training as evidenced by the attendance report generated by Zoom, as well as complete the course evaluation to receive a certificate of credit. 

Evaluation:

The course evaluation is accessible in your student account. After completing the training, log into your AATBS student account to complete the course evaluation. 

How certificate is issued:

Upon verification of attendance and completion of the course evaluation, each participant will be able to access a personal CE certificate of attendance in their student account.

System Requirements:

Internet: broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)

Speakers and a microphone: built-in, USB plug-in, or wireless Bluetooth

Zoom-Supported Browsers

• Windows: Internet Explorer 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
• macOS: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
• Linux: Firefox 27+. Chrome 30+

Instructor Bios:

Gerry Grossman, MA, LMFT, Licensed Hypnotherapist: Gerry Grossman has successfully trained thousands of exam candidates for their BBS licensing exams since 1985. His teaching style is clear, incisive, humorous and empathic. As a trained hypnotherapist, he has assisted many people with test anxiety and other clinical issues. In 2016, Gerry received the Educator of the year award from AAMFT-CA. In private practice, Gerry specializes in working with young children and their families.

Natalie Liberman, MSW, LCSW, MA Clinical Psychology, LMFT: Natalie Liberman is a multi-lingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles and her first Master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Natalie also holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Dubna. Natalie began teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars in 2011, where she leads workshops helping candidates prepare for the LCSW and LMFT licensing exams, and a variety of Continuing Education courses. Natalie is recognized for her clear, engaging, effective and enthusiastic teaching style. She brings a wealth of clinical experience, knowledge, humor, and curiosity to all of her classes. In addition to teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars, Natalie is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Pepperdine University in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology (West LA campus), as well as Pepperdine’s online Master's Degree programs. In her private practice, Natalie works with clients dealing with substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety, relationship issues, career and life transitions, sexual problems, social anxiety disorders, communication issues, self-esteem and general quality of life issues. Natalie has extensive training in contemporary psychodynamic theory, and also uses Humanistic –Existential, Cognitive-Behavioral treatment, and EMDR therapy depending on the unique needs of each client.

Andrew Teton, MA, LMFT: Andrew received his Masters in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. He has also participated in Hakomi Body Inclusive Therapy training, which integrates mindfulness and psychotherapy. He studied with Gerry Grossman Seminars for his licensing exams and, after passing both on the first attempt, Andrew began teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars. In 2017, Andrew received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Antioch University, Santa Barbara. He is also noted for his sense of humor and has served as the "comedy break" entertainer at several local CAMFT functions.

Annie Ghio, LMFT: Annie is a licensed psychotherapist in Los Angeles and the Executive Director of Harbor Area Counseling Services, Inc. a non-profit counseling agency in San Pedro, CA. She completed her Master’s degree at California State University at Northridge in 2013, and became licensed in 2015 after passing both licensing exams on her first attempt. Annie works with candidates to better understand content, develop test taking skills and manage test taking anxiety. She also sees a range of clients at her private practice in San Pedro, CA.

Dan Smith, Ed.D., LMFT: Dan is a licensed marriage and family therapist whose practice has been within a busy psychiatry office for over 15 years. His primary clinical interests include treatment of adolescent and adult populations as well as family therapy; most of his clinical practice has been within managed care and EAP environments. He is a professor of counseling at California State University, Fresno where he specializes in law and ethics, child abuse assessment and treatment, therapy techniques, and supervision of therapists in field settings. Dan has developed various supervision technologies that are in widespread use within counselor training programs across the country.

Dario Ghio, MA, Ph.D., LMFT: Dario is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned his master’s degree at California State University Dominquez Hills and his Ph.D in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Dario has extensive experience in working with substance and addiction issues. He is a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor as well as a Master Addictions Counselor. He also has eight years of experience teaching Introduction to Alcoholism as an Associate Professor at California State University in Dominquez Hills.

Pam Sirota, PsyD, LMFT: Dr. Pam Sirota is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Clinical Psychology. She earned her Masters and Doctorate degrees from Ryokan College. Dr. Sirota's previous experience as a special education teacher and pre-school director makes her an ideal instructor. She has been teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars since becoming licensed in 2005. Dr. Sirota also has a private practice in West Los Angeles and Encino specializing in anger management, anxiety, couples, social skills groups, family issues, children and adolescents, grief support, and parenting.  

Samantha Deming, MA, LMFT: Samantha has been part of the instructional staff at Gerry Grossman Seminars since January 2000. During Samantha's time with Gerry Grossman Seminars, she has taught numerous licensing exam preparation courses for the LMFT and LCSW exams, as well as many Continuing Education courses for Mental Health Providers, including Clinical Supervision, Suicide Prevention, Law and Ethics, Helping Couple's Heal from Affairs, Forgiveness, Children and Grief, Compulsive Overeating and many others. Samantha has an engaging and organized teaching style and brings a lot of her natural humor into the classroom. She loves teaching and takes pride in making your classroom time educational and enjoyable too! In addition to teaching for Gerry Grossman Seminars, Samantha is an adjunct faculty member at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She also maintains a full-time private practice based in Encino, CA. Her specialities include Trauma, E.M.D.R., Brainspotting, Anxiety, Depression, Couples, Survivors After Suicide, Grief and Loss, and Twins.

Approvals:

Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5750. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences, provider #1085, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. AATBS maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 06/19/2021 – 06/19/2024. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling - #50-11015

Florida Board of Psychology #50-5452

NYSED:

Social Workers: Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0112.

Counselors: Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Counselors as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed counselors #MHC-0165.

Marriage Family Therapists: Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Marriage Family Therapists as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed Marriage Family Therapists #MFT-0077.

The sponsor of this program has been approved to offer Continuing Education credit for Certified Addiction Specialists (CAS) in accordance with the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders. Approval No. 20-1420.

Continuing Education licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, are not always well defined and may even supersede the rules of a national accreditation organization. We recommend you contact the applicable state licensing board or accrediting organization for the latest regulations and specific requirements of your state when considering our programs for Continuing Education credit.

Grievance/Refund Policy/Cancellation Policy

AATBS is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the major mental health approving boards. AATBS will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Program Director in consultation with the members of the continuing education committee.

Customer satisfaction is important to us. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, please send your complaint or questions in writing to info@aatbs.com. You can view our refund policy here.

For additional information, including our Cancellation Policy, please review our Terms & Conditions.

Accommodations for Disabilities

To request accommodation; please contact our office at 1-800-472-1931 or email info@aatbs.com.