Continuing education (CE) and professional development courses open doors for the future by building and maintaining knowledge and skills. Look for online options from respected providers. Psychologist CE online courses are great for many mental health professionals, including social workers, counselors, nurses, and psychiatrists. In addition, specialization certifications are especially helpful because they provide a way of demonstrating a knowledge base.
Many fields require continuing professional development, with a specified number of CE credits completed on a regular basis. Such requirements can be challenging to meet, with a busy work schedule and the other demands of daily life. Finding offerings that are relevant and that further one’s professional growth can be difficult and expensive. Fortunately, licensing boards and professional associations are recognizing these challenges and now typically allow a majority of CEs to be earned online and by distance learning.
Online courses allow access to expert trainings that target a professional’s interests and needs. They are also convenient and more cost effective than attending in-person trainings or conferences. Most are accessible 24/7, and so fit conveniently around any schedule. Not needing to travel also saves on time and further expenses. And a variety of formats are available, including readings, audio files, videos, and even live chats and teleconferencing.
Search for programs that are recognized by your licensing board or organization.
For example, APA-approved sponsors offer CE courses that are recognized for psychologists as well as for many other mental health professionals.
Ideally, take courses that not only earn CE credits but also lead to specialization certifications. Certificates are great to document extra training in a particular field or area. Specializations can help you market your services and organizations may recognize them for hiring or promotions.
Also research the reputation of the program provider. Has the organization been around for more than a few years? This is important if you ever need help in verifying records or if you are applying your coursework toward a specialization. And since the market is very competitive for psychologist CE online, low quality programs are less likely to stay around.
The Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies (www.psychstudies.net) is a good example of an organization that provides online CE courses, allows you to apply coursework toward a specialization certificate (and at no additional cost), and has been offering CE professional development in the mental health field for 25 years. Course lengths and formats vary, offering written, video, and/or audio options. Join a case conference groups, with international teleconferencing discussions about different perspectives, approaches, techniques, and cases. Moreover, Psychstudies.net researches current professional development needs and seeks input and suggestions. All of its staff are mental health professionals, serving mental health professionals. Psychologist CE online courses are great for all mental health professionals.
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