With me in today’s episode of Colleague Down the Hall Podcast is Andrea Brognano. Andrea shares her insights about continuing education, its importance and its benefits to therapists. The discussion delves into how CE can help therapists to stay informed and updated about the latest developments, research and the best practices in this field. It also allows therapists to explore diverse training opportunities. It emphasizes the value of expanding one's knowledge and skill set through various courses, including topics such as trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, ethics, and more. The discussion also stresses the need for therapists to be adaptable in their approach, and open to learning and evolving as the needs of clients change.The discussion touches on the benefits of joining consultation groups or peer supervision sessions and the potential for therapists to become CE providers. The overall emphasis is on continuous learning, growth, and collaboration in the mental health profession, with a focus on providing competent and ethical care to clients. “So I always talk to people about if you celebrate Thanksgiving, and you go and you grab your plate at Thanksgiving, and you pile on the mashed potatoes. And then you pile on the green beans and the turkey and all this and think of that plate that you have as your life. Okay, how much else can you add to that? If you think you can add more, that's fine. But let's go ahead and dig in and start eating it. And what's gonna happen is you're not feeling good. So you might think that you could put all of that on your plate and take it all down, but you're gonna make yourself sick. So what can you take off of your plate before you put it back? Or go back for a second? Right? Allow yourself to look at your life in that way. What are you adding onto your plate that you're going to now digest? Is it really digestible?” - Andrea Brognano Key takeaways from this episode: The significance of approaching continuing education (CE) with intention and curiosity. Therapists are encouraged to seek out trainings that align with their interests, enhance their skills, and address client needs effectively. The importance of being an advocate for clients and staying informed about relevant topics and changes in the mental health field. The benefits of remote trainings, which allow therapists to attend courses without the additional expenses of travel and accommodations. The importance of periodic ethics training is stressed, as ethical dilemmas may arise due to changes in societal norms, technology, and client needs. Continuing education is an opportunity for personal and professional growth, promoting a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability in the evolving field of mental health. Andrea Brognano is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician and the group practice owner of Therapy Connection, an online mental health group practice that was established in late 2019. Therapy Connection has expanded to several states and expanded services including in home services in NY and NJ for children with disabilities. Andrea opened her second company, Achieve With Andrea (AWA), in the summer of 2021. AWA has several different programs including a membership to help therapists with their social media, hosting women’s retreats and workshops, useful journals for purchase, and a course for female entrepreneurs. Andrea is passionate about mental health and how to help other entrepreneurs maintain mental wellness to be able to excel while holding a life-work balance. Connect with Andrea: https://www.instagram.com/andreabrognano/