Disconnection kills—and connection can heal. In 2020 alone, over 40 million Americans aged 12 or older were living with a substance use disorder. With overdose deaths at record highs and stigma still a leading barrier to treatment, clinicians must rise to meet the moment by learning how to connect more deeply, empathetically, and effectively with those most impacted.
When clinicians approach addiction counseling with cultural humility, compassion, and a strengths-based lens, the therapeutic alliance becomes a powerful force for recovery. This course equips behavioral health professionals with tools to break through barriers and meet clients where they are, with empathy and effectiveness.
Lisa Connors, LCPC, NCC, MAC, M.Div., MA, ABD, brings over 30 years of experience in addiction counseling, trauma-informed care, and social justice advocacy. A Master Addiction Counselor and seasoned clinician with deep roots in both clinical and pastoral work, Ms. Connors empowers professionals to understand and respond to the intersection of addiction, culture, oppression, and healing. Her work has been devoted to helping marginalized individuals reclaim dignity and purpose.
Ms. Connors’ teaching approach is both evidence-based and deeply human. Through a blend of reflection, lived experience, clinical best practices, and practical strategies, she guides participants toward becoming more present, culturally aware, and responsive clinicians. Her focus is on relational, trauma-informed, and client-centered care.
Topics covered include the nature of addiction as a chronic medical condition, stigma and bias, engagement through motivational interviewing, person-centered therapy, the strengths-based model, cultural humility, social determinants of health, and systemic oppression. The course also explores how clinicians can build trust with diverse populations, address microaggressions, and implement social justice-oriented practices into care. Participants will walk away with a clear understanding of how identity, culture, and connection shape treatment outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
Humanize the struggle of addiction: Learn how substance use disorders affect individuals, families, and communities—and how clinicians can make a difference.
Integrate cultural humility into care: Recognize how implicit bias and social injustices impact treatment and how to respond with empathy and equity.
Build strong therapeutic alliances: Utilize effective, client-centered strategies to foster engagement, motivation, and lasting change.
Why this course?
Led by a trusted expert: Lisa Connors brings decades of experience in counseling, training, and ministry, with a rare ability to blend clinical wisdom with social justice insight.
Backed by a mission-driven organization: Telehealth Certification Institute is committed to excellence, integrity, and empowering clinicians with practical, high-quality education.
Designed for real-world impact: This course doesn’t just deliver theory—it provides tools clinicians can immediately use to strengthen their practice and improve client outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the extent of substance use problems and addiction in the United States.
Describe two social injustices, the consequences associated with those injustices, and their impact on substance use.
Define cultural competency versus cultural humility and its importance in reducing stigma and optimizing counseling and treatment outcomes.
Utilize approaches, strategies, and skills, and engage and partner with clients in substance use.
This online self-study course offers five CE hours designed to challenge, equip, and inspire. If you’re ready to strengthen your impact and deepen your connection with clients facing addiction, this timely and essential training is a welcome next step.
Add this course to your cart to begin learning instantly.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course that consists of 300 minutes of video instruction, a post-test and a course evaluation.
Availability: From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.
Who Should Attend: This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.
Teaching Methods: This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.
How to Attend: Instructions for attending and completing a course can be found here.
Credit Hours: This course consists of 5 continuing education hours of credit.
Counselors:
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Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.
Marriage and Family Therapists: Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations. You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.
Social Workers:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, 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: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 5 clinical continuing education credits.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.
Addiction Professionals:
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This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits, effective 2/20/2024. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
Psychologists:
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Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.
Art Therapists: Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.
Other Professionals: This course qualifies for 300 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.
This is a non-interactive, self-study course.
