Web Courses/Podcasts

Podcasts/Audio Lectures
Nine Podcasts are available: five from 2007 lectures on Chronic Pain, Bariatric Surgery, The Empirical Evidence: What Works in Therapy, Translating Research into Clinical Practice, and How Clients Make Therapy Work. Also available: four lectures from 2006.

Fully Web-Based Courses
Earn 1 free credit hour of continuing education credit for each course completed. There is one hour of free continuing medical education (CME) available for some courses.

Practice-Based Evidence as Evidence-Based Practice with Barry Duncan, Psy.D.
Practice-Based Evidence (PBE) is the systematic collection of data about client progress generated during treatment to enhance the quality and outcome of care. Unlike Evidence-Based Practice, PBE actively utilizes the known sources of variance in psychotherapy outcome by providing therapists with ongoing, real-time feedback regarding the two most potent predictors of success: the client’s experience of the alliance and progress in treatment. The availability of this practice-based evidence not only results in higher retention rates but also as much as doubles overall effect size of services offered. Paradoxically, practice-based evidence—at least when judged on the basis of measurable improvements in outcome alone—may be the most effective evidence-based practice identified to date.

Using Outcome Feedback to Improve Clinical Effectiveness with Scott Miller, Ph.D.
Available evidence indicates that the effectiveness of psychotherapy has not improved in spite of 100 years of theorizing and research. A simple, valid, and reliable alternative exists for maximizing the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment based on using ongoing client feedback to empirically tailor services to client needs and characteristics. Research on the approach conducted at multiple sites across a wide range of clients and presenting complaints indicates that clinicians can improve the outcomes of cases most at risk for failure by as much as 65% without having to change their preferred treatment approach or learn any new treatment techniques.

Assessment and Treatment for Eating Disorders with Walter Kaye, M.D.
This course focuses on the etiology, assessment, and treatment of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. It review new concepts regarding factors contributing to vulnerability for developing anorexia nervosa and discusses standardized methods of assessment of anorexia and bulimia nervosa core symptoms. It reviews course and outcome, medical management, and nutritional needs. Also discussed are psychological treatments and medication, as well as levels of care, and discriminating between new types of interventions and evidence based treatment.

Bariatric Surgery: Behavioral Health Considerations with Melissa Kalarchian, Ph.D.
This course focuses on behavioral health considerations for bariatric surgery, extending beyond the preoperative psychological evaluation in exploring the role of the behavioral health provider in helping patients to achieve optimal longer-term outcomes. There will be a review of issues specific to bariatric surgery with a focus on gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding; preoperative screening and preparation as well as postoperative intervention and support will be included.

How Clients Make Therapy Work with Barry Duncan, Psy.D.
Fifty years of research shows that positive change doesn’t result from focusing on disorder, disease or dysfunction. Instead, change is spurred by what’s right with people—their resources, creativity, and relational support networks. Building upon the most potent source of change—the client—this course presents practical approaches for harvesting client strengths and resiliencies to solve challenges. It also suggests a way to partner with clients to monitor outcomes that enlists client capacities to tailor clinical services thereby improving both retention and outcome.

Translating Research into Clinical Practice with Scott Miller, Ph.D.
Since the 1960's, the number of treatment approaches has exploded and without exception, developers to particular methods claim superiority in conceptualization and outcome of their approach. Drawing from a comprehensive review of 40 years of outcome research, Scott Miller, Ph.D. will identify core factors responsible for therapeutic success regardless of theoretical orientation or psychiatric diagnosis. The research on "what works" will be carefully translated into practical, common sense, and empirically-supported therapeutic skills that can be used for the efficient and effective resolution of problems clients bring to treatment.

Chronic Pain: An Overview of Effective Behavioral Health Interventions with Kimeron Hardin, Ph.D.
Estimates of incidence of chronic pain in the US range from 15 to 33% of the population, and pain is the third leading cause of medical disability. It is likely that mental health professionals will see a significant number of clients who suffer with chronic pain. This course will discuss the emerging biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain management, how to assess and when to refer a client with chronic pain. Dr. Hardin will speak to the common behavioral and psychosocial strategies for working with someone who suffers from chronic pain.

The Empirical Evidence: What Works in Therapy with Bruce Wampold, Ph.D.
Psychotherapy is dominated by themes and terms related to “Empirically Supported Treatments,” “Evidence-Based Practice,” and “Randomized Clinical Trials,” which are used to shape the way psychotherapy is conceptualized, practiced, and managed. In this course, the history of medicine, randomized control group designs, and psychotherapy will be reviewed with attention to what was omitted in the progress of these areas. Many advances have benefited patients and improved mental health services and yet it is important to understand what was omitted. Current research and practice in psychotherapy often ignores (a) religious and spiritual components, (b) culture and context, (c) the common factors and the process of psychotherapy, and (d) the therapist as an agent of change and the patient as active participants.

Decreasing Morbidity Through Behavioral Health Interventions: Collaborating with Medical Providers with Carl Isihara, M.D.
This program explores the effects of psychological and behavioral factors on physical illness and the evidence supporting behavioral medicine interventions in many chronic disorders as the approach of choice and as a major adjunct even when pharmaceuticals are necessary. A conceptual framework to develop innovative, collaborative models of health care between Mental Health and Primary Care will be considered.

Treatment of Depression and Anxiety with Medical Comorbidity with Charles DeBattista, DMH, MD
Addresses the issues of diagnosing and treating anxiety and depression when these disorders present frequently in primary care settings. In this lecture, the relationship between anxiety, depression and co-morbid medical conditions is examined.

Outcome-Informed Clinical Work with Scott Miller, Ph.D.
Evidence indicates that effectiveness of psychotherapy has not improved in last 100 years. Overview of a simple, valid, and reliable alternative for maximizing effectiveness and efficiency of treatment. The approach is based on using ongoing client feedback to inform treatment decisions.

Strategic Treatment of Depression with Michael Yapko, Ph.D.
Overview of depression, the most common mood disorder in the world, as well as effective psychotherapeutic strategies. A primary goal is to get clinicians re-energized in addressing depression.

Treating Complex Psychological Trauma with John Briere, Ph.D.
1 hour CME credit also available
Drawing on the latest trauma research and theory, Dr. Briere describes a nonpathologizing, developmentally-informed therapy for these complex posttraumatic presentations.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Early Identification and Intervention with Kiki Chang, M.D.
1 hour CME credit also available
Overview of pediatric bipolar disorder which presents a unique challenge to clinicians. By integrating identification and collaboration with primary care providers, patients could be treated more effectively before they become adults with treatment-resistant disorders

Optimizing ADHD Treatment: Subtypes and Comorbidity with Russell Barkley, Ph.D.
1 hour CME credit also available
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder occurs in as many as 7-8% of children and 4-5% of adults. This course will review the most likely disorders associated with ADHD, the risks they pose for such cases, and the probable impact they may have on the selection of various treatments for case management.

Cultural Considerations in Behavioral Health with Kathi Walsh, R.N.
* Please note that there is no lecture associated with this course.
Issues related to culture, race, and ethnicity effect access to care and quality of care. And must be considered when evaluating treatment, and planning for interventions. It is UBH’s desire to provide an overview of cultural considerations so that our members may be assured of a level of competency and sensitivity in addressing their behavioral health concerns.