Competency and Community – A Radical Alternative?
 

International Journal of Forensic Mental Health's article entitled "Evaluating an Expedited Process to Assess Fitness to Stand Trial" noted how "little is known about the outcomes and trajectories of accused persons who take part in fitness assessments and are then found fit to stand trial. These individuals may have mental health, substance use, and other social service needs that are not addressed by a brief forensic assessment. One idea that has been proposed in our province is to connect this group with mental health resources during their involvement in the court process, through a mental health clinician who is based in the courtroom."
 

Read the full details here.

UPCOMING LIVE PROGRAMS

• Behavioral Health Aspects of Screen Time Misuse | May 10th | 1 Hour, 1 CE: This training is designed for professionals interested in learning how excessive screen time exposure affects mood, behavior, cognition, physical health, and criminality. Risk factors, warning signs, and other contributing factors of excessive screen time exposure with also be discussed.

• Poverty, Homelessness, and Poor Health Outcomes | May 12th | 3 Hours, 3 CEs: This training will discuss how poverty and homelessness affect health and well-being, along with the negative impacts on mental health. This training is designed to increase understanding of the causes, consequences, and interventions for persons experiencing poverty and homelessness who are impacted by poor health.
  

• Understanding and Reshaping Law Enforcement Interactions with Persons with a Mental Disability  | May 16th | 1.5 Hours, 1.5 CEs: This program will introduce the fundamental case law on the Fourth Amendment’s application to the use of excessive force by law enforcement against persons with a mental disability. Through this law, participants will learn how the Supreme Court has narrowed Fourth Amendment protections and expanded the right of officers to use excessive force without legal consequence.
  > In partnership with the Mental Disability Law and Policy Associates
  

• Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Implications for Mood, Behavior, Cognition, and Physical Health | June 7th | 1 Hour, 1 CE: Recent discoveries about gut microbiota and the ways that the gut and brain interact are fundamentally changing how professionals and researchers view various disorders and diseases. Participants will learn to describe the neurobiopsychosocial factors that influence the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY

• FREE! Decision-Making in Forensic Psychology: A On-Demand Dynamic Program | Through May 31st | 2.5 Hours, 2.5 CEs: This project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is both a training program and a research project. Its purpose is to better understand how mental health professionals come to conclusions and make decisions in evaluations in legally-relevant cases. It includes personalized feedback to help you understand your own behaviors with a didactic portion with video instruction.
  
  > Click here for more information and to participate. Registration is available through May 31st.

Demystifying the Court Experience

In this podcast, Dr. Speedlin Gonzalez interviews judges from the criminal and civil courts to discuss counselors' roles in the judiciary. Three judges describe their experiences working with counselors and how valuable our work is with both arms of the law (criminal and civil). The judges also talk about the concept of therapeutic jurisprudence and how the law and counseling collaborate effectively to serve communities.

Click to listen to full podcast.

Wishing you well, 

Patricia A. Zapf, PhD
VP, Continuing & Professional Studies
Palo Alto University
pzapf@paloaltou.edu
concept.PaloAltoU.edu

CONCEPT Professional Training
Engaging in Your Continued Professional Development | Practice Lifelong Excellence!

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