Mental Health CE Approved by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC & More
Accepted by most state boards and reportable through CEBroker. Check Board Approvals for details.
Course curriculum
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About the Course
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Copyright Notice for Therapy Trainings™
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Definitions, Diagnostic Criteria, and Key Characteristics of SMI
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Epidemiology, Onset, and Progression
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SMI vs. Other Mental Health Conditions: Distinctions and Overlaps
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References
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Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
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Bipolar I Disorder and Severe Depressive Disorders
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Co-occurring Substance Use and Personality Disorders
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References
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Comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment Tools for SMI
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Functional Impairments and Psychosocial Evaluation
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Cultural, Developmental, and Differential Diagnostic Considerations
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References
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Overview of Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, and Antidepressants
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Side Effects, Adherence, and Medication Monitoring
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Integrating Psychiatric Medication with Psychosocial Treatments
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References
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for SMI
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Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) and Psychoeducation
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Supported Employment, Social Skills Training, and Peer Support
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References
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About this course
- $45.00
- 41 lessons
- 0 hours of video content
Therapy Trainings™ Presents
3 CE Hours - Foundations of Serious Mental Illness (SMI): Clinical Essentials for Treatment Providers
This course provides a comprehensive overview of Serious Mental Illness (SMI), with a focus on assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, recovery support, and interprofessional collaboration.
Target audience: mental health professionals
Content Level: beginning to expert
Course Overview:
Tailored for clinicians, case managers, and mental health providers, this course covers the clinical and systemic essentials for working with adults living with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe major depression, and other SMIs. Participants will gain practical tools, evidence-based approaches, and ethical insights necessary for effective care delivery.
Course Objectives:
In this course, you will learn to:
define Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and differentiate it from other mental health conditions;
identify hallmark features, common diagnoses, and patterns of progression associated with SMI;
describe best practices for comprehensive clinical assessment and differential diagnosis of SMI; and
explain core psychosocial and biological treatment modalities used in the management of SMI.
About the author
Matt Grammer, LPCC-S is the founder of Therapy Trainings™, Kentucky Counseling Center®, and Counseling Now®. He has over a decade of experience as a clinician, private practice operator, and consultant. He holds dual Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. KY LPCC-S #164069
Consulting Team
Social Work Consultant is Alicia Trager, LCSW.
Marriage and Family Therapy Consultant is Matt White, LMFT
Psychology consultant is Brett Donnelly, Psy. D.
Course completion & CE info
Course completion requirements: To earn CE credit, professionals must purchase the course, read/listen to the presentation, and complete the posttest (with a passing score of 80%) and course evaluation. Posttests may be retaken as many times as you need. Certificates of completion will be emailed immediately after course completion and can be accessed from your account anytime.
Therapy Trainings™ is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Kentucky Social Work Board provider #202375, Kentucky MFT Board, and KY LPC Board.
This course has been approved by Therapy Trainings™, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 3 CE hours. NAADAC provider #270493. Therapy Trainings™ is responsible for all aspects of its programming.
Therapy Trainings™ has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7439. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy Trainings™ is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Therapy Trainings™, #1945, 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: 12/6/2024 – 12/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.
State Specific Board Approvals:
Thanks to our national and state accreditations, all of our CE courses are approved by the boards listed below—provided the content is relevant to your profession or unless otherwise noted in the course description.
We regularly monitor state board requirements, but for the most up-to-date and accurate information, please refer to your licensing board’s official website.
The list below reflects the boards that currently recognize our CE credits based on existing state regulations.
Alabama
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Alaska
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Arizona
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Arkansas
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
California
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Colorado
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Connecticut
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Delaware
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Florida
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Georgia
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Hawaii
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Idaho
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Illinois
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Addiction Counseling Board
SW Board
Indiana
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Iowa
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Kansas
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Kentucky
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Louisiana
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Maine
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Maryland
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Massachusetts
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Michigan
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Minnesota
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Mississippi
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Missouri
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Montana
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Nebraska
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Nevada
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
New Hampshire
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
New Jersey
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
New Mexico
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
North Carolina
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
North Dakota
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Ohio
Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Oklahoma
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Oregon
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MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Pennsylvania
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MFT Board
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Rhode Island
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SW Board
Psychology Board
South Carolina
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MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
South Dakota
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MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Tennessee
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Texas
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Utah
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Vermont
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MFT Board
SW Board
Virginia
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Washington
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Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
West Virginia
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Wisconsin
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Wyoming
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
System Requirements
Computer or mobile device with an internet connection.
For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please email [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll access all courses from your student dashboard in the menu after purchasing the unlimited subscription.
We have state and national approvals from NBCC, ASWB ACE, NAADAC, KY LPC, MFT, and SW Boards.
All on-demand CE courses are text-based and you can progress at your own pace. Once you've read the material, you'll complete a quiz and will receive a certificate of completion immediately.
Find your course and follow a few simple steps. Credit cards and Paypal payments are accepted. You'll gain access immediately.
All on-demand courses. Live CE is excluded.
All trainings published by Therapy Trainings™ are on-demand and available 24/7. You have access to all courses as soon as you enroll.
We're here for you by email and look forward to helping you. Please contact us at [email protected]. Therapy Trainings™ takes pride in making students happy.
Foundations of Serious Mental Illness (SMI): Clinical Essentials for Treatment Providers
Are you ready to strengthen your clinical expertise and provide more effective care for individuals living with serious mental illness (SMI)? Our Foundations of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) training course equips mental health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to address the complex challenges associated with SMI.
Serious mental illness—including conditions such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and severe major depression—requires specialized, evidence-based approaches for effective treatment and long-term management. This course provides a solid foundation for understanding and supporting individuals with SMI, enabling you to make a meaningful impact in their lives.
Why Choose Our SMI Training?
Our program is specifically designed for treatment providers who want to deepen their understanding of SMI. From assessment and diagnosis to treatment planning and community integration, you’ll gain the tools necessary to provide compassionate and effective care.
What You’ll Learn
Core Concepts of SMI
Understand the defining features of serious mental illnesses, their prevalence, and the impact on individuals, families, and communities.Assessment and Case Formulation
Learn to conduct comprehensive assessments and develop individualized treatment plans tailored to complex clinical needs.-
Evidence-Based Interventions
Gain hands-on knowledge of proven approaches, including:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp)
Skills training and psychoeducation
Medication adherence strategies
Recovery-oriented and person-centered care
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Disorder-Specific Approaches
Develop expertise in addressing:Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders
Bipolar disorder
Severe major depressive disorder
Co-occurring substance use and medical conditions
Practical Clinical Skills
Build essential skills such as building therapeutic alliances, addressing stigma, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and supporting recovery through community resources.
Course Highlights
Comprehensive Curriculum
A 10-module course covering the essential principles of assessment, treatment, and support for individuals with SMI.Interactive Learning
Apply your knowledge through case studies, role-play exercises, and real-world clinical scenarios.Expert Instruction
Learn from clinicians and researchers specializing in serious mental illness.Flexible, Self-Paced Format
Access all materials online and study at your convenience, making it easy to fit the training into your schedule.
Detailed Course Outline
Module 1: Understanding Serious Mental Illness
Definitions, prevalence, and impact
The continuum of mental health and illness
Common myths and misconceptions
Module 2: The Therapeutic Relationship
Building trust with individuals experiencing SMI
Cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed care
Addressing barriers such as stigma and disengagement
Module 3: Assessment and Diagnosis
Conducting thorough biopsychosocial assessments
Identifying co-occurring disorders and risk factors
Developing collaborative treatment plans
Module 4: Evidence-Based Psychosocial Interventions
CBT for psychosis (CBTp)
Social skills training, psychoeducation, and relapse prevention
Behavioral activation and motivational interviewing
Module 5: Pharmacological Considerations
Overview of psychotropic medications for SMI
Supporting medication adherence
Monitoring side effects and collaborating with prescribers
Module 6: Managing Crises and High-Risk Situations
Suicide risk assessment and intervention
Strategies for de-escalation and safety planning
Working with crisis teams and emergency services
Module 7: Supporting Recovery and Community Integration
Recovery-oriented principles and person-centered care
Supported employment, housing, and peer support services
Building social support networks
Module 8: Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
Dual-diagnosis treatment strategies
Integrated care models for mental health and substance use
Module 9: Family Engagement and Psychoeducation
Involving families in the treatment process
Providing education, support, and coping strategies
Module 10: Course Review and Certification
Recap of key concepts
Final assessment and certification of completion
The SMI Advantage
By completing this course, you will:
Apply evidence-based practices that improve recovery outcomes.
Develop versatile skills for managing the complex needs of clients with SMI.
Utilize a collaborative, goal-oriented approach to care.
Empower clients with the tools to achieve stability and meaningful recovery.
Career Benefits
With specialized SMI training, you can:
Enhance your clinical practice and treatment outcomes.
Qualify for positions in community mental health, hospitals, and integrated care settings.
Offer specialized services for individuals with serious mental illness.
Contribute to research, advocacy, and program development in SMI care.
Ongoing Support and Community
Graduates receive:
Access to a professional network of SMI treatment providers.
Continuing education opportunities through webinars and workshops.
A library of resources to support ongoing clinical practice.
Take the next step in your professional development. Enroll today in our Foundations of Serious Mental Illness (SMI) training course and make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.