FREE ACCREDITED COURSE: Holistic Mental Health 101 for Spiritual and Religious Practitioners ™

We offer a complimentary on-demand course covering holistic mental health fundamentals for spiritual and religious practitioners of all religions who offer counseling as a part of their ministry. This IPHM-accredited course gives a good foundation of mental health knowledge for dealing with the very vulnerable congregations and communities that they serve. Taught by our Founder, Dr. Calynn M. Lawrence - licensed faith-based counselor, credentialed neurocriminology & neuropsychotherapy professional, and triple board certified trauma specialist, this course is full of evidence-backed content from several peer-reviewed scientific journals and respected psychology/sociology/theology publications. 

Common Mental Health Conditions, Their Symptoms and When to Refer Someone to a Psychology Professional 

• What is the legal scope of practice for religious and spiritual leaders when offering counseling services? How does doctrinal/religious guidance and counseling differ from faith-based therapy and clinical counseling? 
  
  
• An Overview of "Common" Complex Mental/Behavioral/Developmental Health Conditions and Their Effects on Decision Making and Lifestyle: 
• Clinical Depression
• Clinical Anxiety
• Bipolar
• PTSD
• Autism
• Gender Dysphoria
• Substance Abuse Disorder
• Schizophrenia

Download slides HERE.

Crisis Intervention Basics 

• Signs that Someone is in Crisis vs. Just Being "Upset"
  
  
• How to Approach Them and Neutralize the Situation
  
  
• What to Do Afterwards: Whether to Refer Them to a "Living Room" OR an Emergency Room

Download slides HERE.

Common Ways that Trauma Forms and Its Effects on the Body, Behavior and Decisions

• What is Trauma?
  
  
• Common Causes of Trauma: Grief, Verbal/Physical/Sexual Abuse, Neglect/Abandonment/Shunning, Longterm Exposure to High Violence Environments (War, High-Crime Neighborhoods), Systemic Oppression/Marginalization
  
  
• How Trauma Physically Affects the Brain and the Body
  
  
• How Trauma Psychologically Affects Decision Making and Behavior

Download slides HERE.

The Importance of Offering a Safe Space for the Community as a Spiritual/Religious Leader, and How to Avoid Inflicting Shame When Offering Religious/Spiritual Counseling, Guidance or Direction

• Why Creating a Culture of Support and Empathy within Your Church is Essential for the Wellbeing of Your Congregants and the Community
  
  
• How Being Compassionate and Professional When Interfacing with Others Strengthens Your Appeal as a Religious/Spiritual Leader 
  
  
• Explicit and Implicit Shameful Practices to Avoid When Offering Religious/Spiritual Services

Download slides HERE.

Want a Certificate of Completion to boost your CV, resume, LinkedIn and portfolio? Take the on-demand $39 qualifying exam (25 questions with 80% being the minimum passing score) and submit your application with your completed test here. This certificate does not expire and doesn't need to be renewed.

Ready to become a Board Certified leader in your field with an ADVANCED credential? Check out our on-demand programs to expand your practice as an Integrative Spiritual Advisor™ or Holistic Humanity Advocate™.

*This Course is Accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine Board*