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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What is SED? Definitions, Criteria, and Key Features
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Epidemiology and Risk Factors
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Differentiating SED from Other Emotional or Behavioral Disorders
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References
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Comprehensive Mental Health Assessment Tools for SED
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Developmental and Cultural Considerations in Diagnosis
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Diagnosing Co-Occurring Disorders (e.g., ADHD, PTSD, Autism)
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References
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Understanding the Family Experience of SED
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Assessing Family Dynamics and Parenting Stress
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Engaging and Empowering Families in the Treatment Process
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References
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Creating Collaborative, Strength-Based Treatment Plans
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Setting Realistic Goals Across Domains (Home, School, Community)
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Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Interventions
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References
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The Role of Complex Trauma in SED
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Trauma-Informed Assessment Practices
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Stabilization and Safety Planning for Emotionally Disturbed Youth
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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 of Understanding Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED): Core Concepts for Clinicians
The course equips clinicians with a deep understanding of SED—including its definitions, diagnostic considerations, treatment planning, and systems of care.
Target audience: mental health professionals
Content Level: beginning to expert
Course Overview:
This comprehensive course is designed for mental health professionals working with children and adolescents. Each module provides clinically relevant knowledge and practical tools to enhance assessment, communication, family engagement, and therapeutic interventions across diverse settings. This training supports clinicians in delivering effective, compassionate, and coordinated care for youth experiencing severe emotional and behavioral challenges.
Course Objectives:
In this course, you will learn to:
define Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) and distinguish it from other behavioral or emotional disorders in youth;
conduct comprehensive assessments and differential diagnoses for children and adolescents with SED;
develop collaborative and individualized treatment plans that incorporate family, school, and community supports;
apply evidence-based interventions and trauma-informed strategies to improve functioning in children with SED; and
navigate interagency collaboration and advocate for system-level supports to enhance continuity of care.
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.
System Requirements
Computer or mobile device with an internet connection.
For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please email [email protected]
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
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Idaho
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Illinois
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
SW Board
Indiana
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Iowa
Counseling Board
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
Counseling Board
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
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Pennsylvania
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Rhode Island
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
South Carolina
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
South Dakota
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Psychology Board
Tennessee
Counseling Board
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
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Virginia
Counseling Board
Addiction Counseling Board
MFT Board
SW Board
Washington
Counseling Board
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.
Understanding Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED): Core Concepts for Clinicians
Are you working with children or adolescents facing complex emotional and behavioral challenges? Our comprehensive training course on Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) is designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide effective, evidence-based care to youth diagnosed with SED.
Serious Emotional Disturbance is a term used to describe a range of diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders that severely impact a child’s ability to function socially, academically, and emotionally. With proper intervention, clinicians can make a life-changing difference in these children’s trajectories.
Why Choose Our SED Training?
This course is tailored for mental health professionals, educators, and support staff who want to deepen their understanding of SED and learn practical, research-supported strategies to support affected children and their families.
Our training bridges foundational knowledge with clinical application—making it ideal for school counselors, child therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other child-serving professionals.
What You’ll Learn
Core Concepts of SED
Definition, diagnostic criteria, and prevalence
Risk and protective factors influencing development
The impact of SED on academic, social, and family functioning
Assessment and Case Formulation
How to identify SED using comprehensive assessment tools
Cultural and developmental considerations in diagnosis
Writing effective case formulations and treatment plans
Evidence-Based Interventions
Gain practical skills in evidence-supported therapies for SED, including:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Trauma-Informed Care
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents
Family Systems Interventions
School-Based Behavioral Supports
Collaborative and Systems-Based Approaches
Working with families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams
Coordinating care across mental health, educational, and community systems
Advocacy strategies for improving access to services
Course Highlights
10-Module Curriculum: Covers the full spectrum of SED understanding, from theoretical foundations to applied clinical skills
Hands-On Practice: Real-life case studies and role-play to build confidence and skill
Expert Instructors: Learn from clinicians and researchers who specialize in childhood emotional and behavioral disorders
Flexible Online Format: Complete at your own pace with 24/7 access to course content
Detailed Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Serious Emotional Disturbance
Definitions, prevalence, and diagnostic frameworks
SED vs. other behavioral/emotional challenges
Module 2: Developmental and Neurobiological Foundations
Brain development and emotional regulation
How trauma and environment contribute to SED
Module 3: Assessment of SED
Using DSM-5-TR criteria and standardized tools
Cultural competence in assessment
Module 4: Case Formulation and Treatment Planning
Building collaborative, strength-based treatment plans
Goal-setting and progress monitoring
Module 5: Evidence-Based Therapies for SED
Overview of CBT, DBT, play therapy, and trauma-focused approaches
Tailoring interventions by age and diagnosis
Module 6: Trauma-Informed Care in Practice
Recognizing trauma’s role in SED
Safety, trust-building, and empowerment techniques
Module 7: Family Engagement and Support
Family systems models
Psychoeducation and communication strategies
Module 8: School and Community Collaboration
Designing effective behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
Navigating IEPs, 504s, and wraparound services
Module 9: Crisis Management and Safety Planning
De-escalation skills
Suicide and self-harm protocols
Module 10: Review, Final Assessment & Certification
Consolidation of learning
Case review, exam, and downloadable certificate of completion
Why Understanding SED Matters
Working with children and adolescents experiencing SED requires more than compassion—it demands evidence-based expertise and a systems-thinking approach. With this training, you’ll be able to:
Provide more effective, targeted care to children with complex emotional needs
Improve outcomes across clinical, school, and home settings
Strengthen your role as a multidisciplinary collaborator and advocate
Professional Growth and Career Impact
After completing this training, you’ll be able to:
Expand your private practice services to include SED-specific interventions
Qualify for school-based mental health roles and behavioral intervention programs
Lead or participate in interdisciplinary care teams
Gain continuing education credits (CEs) for licensure renewal
Ongoing Support and Resources
When you enroll, you’ll also receive:
Lifetime access to course materials and updates
Peer support through our clinician community forum
Exclusive webinars and live Q&As with SED experts
Printable tools and worksheets for use with clients
Enroll Today
Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of Serious Emotional Disturbance and make a meaningful impact in the lives of youth and families. Enroll now and become a more confident, capable, and compassionate clinician.