VitAL Alabama

EMDR Therapy: A Clinical Framework for Trauma-Informed Assessment & Treatment Planning
2026-05-26 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Chicago)
1.5 DSM CEs for Social workers, counselors, and nurses

Presenter: Wendi Hogue, M.Ed., LPC, NCC

This continuing education webinar offers mental health clinicians a practical, clinically grounded framework for connecting DSM-5-TR diagnosis to EMDR treatment planning. Participants will examine the trauma related diagnostic categories most encountered in EMDR practice. Including post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorders, and consider how each diagnosis points toward specific memory networks and treatment targets.

We will walk through the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model and the 8-phase protocol, exploring how theory translates directly into clinical decision-making including where to start, what to target, and how to sequence treatment across complex presentations.

A clinical case example will be used throughout to demonstrate how diagnostic conceptualization becomes an EMDR treatment plan, with specific attention to protocol modifications for dissociation, complex PTSD, and borderline personality disorder.

At the conclusion of this training, participants will be able to:

Discuss contraindications, stabilization strategies, and clinical decision-making for when and how to modify standard EMDR protocols with complex presentations.

Identify the core DSM-5-TR diagnostic categories most associated with trauma presentations and their clinical relevance to EMDR practice.

Explain the theoretical foundations of EMDR therapy, including Shapiro’s Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model and its neurobiological basis.

Apply EMDR’s 8 phase protocol to clinical case conceptualization across a range of DSM-5-TR diagnoses.

Differentiate EMDR target selection and protocol modifications for PTSD, complex trauma, opioid use disorder, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and dissociative presentations, including adaptations for trauma-related symptoms in individuals with comorbid opioid use disorder.

Understanding Perinatal OCD: Reducing Fear, Improving Care
2026-05-27 12:00 - 13:00
Speaker: Lauren Amacker, LICSW, PIP

S.A.V.E. Webinar
2026-05-28 13:00 - 14:00
This webinar will provide an overview of the VA S.A.V.E. Training, an evidence-based suicide prevention training designed to help individuals recognize and respond to Veterans who may be experiencing a crisis or suicidal thoughts. Participants will learn how to identify warning signs, confidently ask the important questions about suicide, validate a Veteran’s experience, and encourage treatment and immediate support. The training emphasizes practical intervention strategies, compassionate communication, and connecting Veterans with appropriate resources and care. Attendees will leave with increased confidence in supporting Veterans and promoting suicide prevention within their communities.

By participating in this training, participants will be able to:

-Describe the scope and impact of suicide among Veterans in the United States.

-Identify current and emerging efforts by the Department of Veterans Affairs to address mental health and suicide prevention.

-Explain the value of community partnerships in supporting Veterans’ mental health and suicide prevention efforts.

-Recognize warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide among Veterans and other individuals.

-Demonstrate appropriate steps to take when identifying and responding to a Veteran or individual at risk for suicide.

Alabama Opioid Prevention Summit (Birmingham)
2026-06-03 08:00 - 17:00 | The Wynfrey Hotel, 1000 Galleria Circle, Birmingham, AL, 35244, United States

Alabama Opioid Prevention Summit (Virtual)
2026-06-03 08:00 - 17:00

Webinar: The Role of Employment in Recovery
2026-06-03 10:30 - 12:00
Learning objectives:

· Learn why work matters and its impact on people’s recovery.

· Learn and apply the different IPS principles to support people’s recovery journey.

· Learn that integrated mental health treatment and employment services lead to better employment outcomes.

Ruth Brock, M.S., joined the IPS Employment Center in January 2020. Ruth provides IPS training, technical assistance, and fidelity reviews to states and countries in the IPS International Learning Community, as well as to other jurisdictions and contracts. Ruth educates leaders on infrastructure to implement IPS in a sustainable way. She serves as a seasoned vocational professional with decades of progressive multi-level responsibilities in service and program delivery for people with different abilities. Ruth is inspired by the words of singer/songwriter Toby Mac “yes, it’s going to be hard but hard is not impossible.”

Alabama Opioid Prevention Summit (Prattville)
2026-06-05 08:00 - 17:00

Ketamine Therapy for Addiction Treatment
2026-06-09 13:00 - 14:30
1.5 FREE CEs provided for Nurses, Counselors, and Social WorkersPresenter: Brent E. Boyett DMD, DO, DFASAM

Once known primarily as an anesthetic, ketamine has rapidly gained attention as a transformative therapeutic tool capable of producing rapid changes in mood, cognition, and behavior. The presentation will examine the neurobiology of addiction, the limitations of traditional treatment approaches, and the growing evidence supporting ketamine-assisted interventions for substance use disorders.Special emphasis will be placed on the concept of neuroplasticity and the idea that ketamine may help “rewire” maladaptive neural circuits that underlie compulsive behaviors, trauma, depression, and addiction. Participants will learn how ketamine represents the first widely utilized medication in what may become an entirely new class of psychiatric and addiction treatments—psychedelic neuroplastogens that can fundamentally alter thought patterns and behavioral responses. The lecture will also discuss current clinical evidence, therapeutic models, safety considerations, ethical questions, and the exciting future of psychedelic therapy in addiction medicine.At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:1. Explain the neurobiological mechanisms by which ketamine may reduce addictive behaviors and cravings.2. Evaluate the current evidence supporting ketamine-assisted therapy for substance use disorders.3. Identify the benefits, risks, and ethical considerations of ketamine treatment in addiction medicine.

From Prison to the Olympics - The Tony Hoffman Story
2026-06-16 13:00 - 14:00
Tony Hoffman shares vulnerably his life experiences with mental health challenges, addiction, homelessness and incarceration to coaching at the 2016 Olympic games. A story of hope & inspiration for anyone working in behavioral health and addiction treatment

Suicide Prevention in Rural & Underserved Communities
2026-06-22 11:00 - 12:30
In this webinar participants will gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges that contribute to suicide risk in rural and underserved communities, including barriers to accessing behavioral health services and support. The webinar will explore evidence-based suicide prevention strategies that can be implemented across healthcare, public health, and community-based settings, with an emphasis on collaboration between sectors. Attendees will also learn practical approaches for strengthening local suicide prevention infrastructure, expanding access to care, and developing sustainable systems that support long-term suicide prevention efforts. Through real-world examples and actionable recommendations, participants will be better equipped to advance suicide prevention initiatives within their own communities and organizations. June 22, 2026 11am-12:30pm CST By participating in this training, participants will be able to: Identify key systemic barriers associated with increased suicide risk in rural and underserved communities. Evaluate evidence-based suicide prevention strategies appropriate for implementation by healthcare, public health, and community-based organizations and within rural communities and opportunities for cross-sector collaboration between these systems to support suicide prevention. Recognize practical approaches to expand access to behavioral health care and strengthen sustainable suicide prevention infrastructure.

Why Am I Like This? Understanding Human Behavior
2026-06-30 13:00 - 14:00
Human behavior is not an accident. In many cases, it is quite predictable, and the people we become as adults are deeply connected to our childhood experiences and the environments that shaped us. This session explores how human development unfolds and how we can better support those looking to create new behavioral pathways.

Suicide Prevention and Substance Use/Co-Occurring Disorders
2026-07-20 11:00 - 12:30
Individuals experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions face an increased risk of suicide, underscoring the need for coordinated, evidence-based prevention efforts. This webinar will explore the relationship between substance use, mental health, and suicide risk while highlighting strategies that can be implemented across healthcare, behavioral health, public health, and community-based settings. Participants will learn how cross-sector collaboration, integrated systems of care, and sustainable prevention initiatives can improve access to treatment, strengthen recovery supports, and reduce suicide risk among individuals with co-occurring disorders.

By participating in this training, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the warning signs and risk factors associated with suicide in individuals experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.2. Explain the relationship between substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and suicide risk, including how these conditions influence one another.3. Apply evidence-based screening and intervention strategies to assess suicide risk and respond appropriately in clinical and community settings.4. Recognize protective factors and develop safety planning strategies that promote recovery, resilience, and suicide prevention for individuals with co-occurring disorders.5. Utilize appropriate referral resources and multidisciplinary collaboration to connect individuals with ongoing mental health, substance use treatment, and crisis intervention services.

Every Step Towards Better C.A.R.E.: SBIRT, Perinatal Behavioral Health, and the C.A.R.E. Certification in Alabama
2026-07-24 11:00 - 12:00
Pregnant and postpartum individuals in Alabama face significant barriers to receiving the behavioral health support while maternal health providers do not always have access to best practice tools, training, and frameworks that can be adapted to their specific patient population needs. Every Step Towards Better C.A.R.E. explores these barriers to person-focused maternal behavioral health and available tools to address them.

Attendees will learn about Every Step’s new initiative for community organizations and individuals: the C.A.R.E. Certification, a framework rooted in Compassion, Accessibility, Recovery, and Excellence. L.B. Brown will guide participants through how the C.A.R.E. Certification is designed to equip community organizations and providers with the knowledge and commitment needed to deliver stigma-reducing, trauma-informed perinatal behavioral health care. Attendees will engage in discussion regarding VitAL’s accessible toolkits and platforms for universal substance use and behavioral health screening, intervention and treatment, leaving the session with the skills and supports they need to identify and address substance use, depression, and domestic violence among perinatal populations across Alabama. Whether you are new to universal behavioral health screening or looking for a structured pathway to enhance your practice, this webinar is for you!

One CE credit available for attendees.

Not Another Puff: Youth Tobacco, Vaping and Treatment Summit
2026-07-28 08:00 - 17:00 | The Wynfrey Hotel, 1000 Galleria Circle, Birmingham, AL, 35244, United States
Nicotine use and dependence among young people are rising quickly due to vaping. This has become a serious public health issue that warrants urgent attention. The lack of programs designed specifically for youth who vape nicotine, tobacco and other mood altering substances makes it harder for them to recover and stay healthy. Research shows that teens who are dependent on nicotine and tobacco often struggle to find care to treat their individual needs. When service providers lack the latest information about vaping, and the clinical tools needed to support decreased use, adolescents may become more dependent on different substances instead of receiving the treatment they need. Learning about vaping trends, the availability of cessation resources, and how to access different options can help providers in Alabama guide youth to quality treatment services that result in decreased use and sustained recovery.

A Paycheck and a Date on Friday Night: What Recovery Looks Like
2026-08-04 08:30 - 10:00
This course will focus on the role of employment in recovery with a focus on justice-involved job seekers and the integration of clinical community behavioral health services with IPS supported employment services. Attendees will learn how clinicians and IPS supported employment services interact via the referral stream to support job seekers through their employment journeys. The course will also address stressors for job seekers in recovery and how stable, meaningful employment can be a protective factor against undesirable behavioral health outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will know how to apply the dignity of risk and the duty to care when referring justice-involved individuals to supported employment services.

Participants will define what a ‘niche’ is in the context of IPS and will give one example of a person with significant mental health challenges who was able to discover the job in which they shined.

Participants will list three ways in which boredom is stressful.

VitAL Annual Conference
2026-08-20 08:00 - 2026-08-21 17:00 | Bryant Conference Center, 240 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 35487
Join Us for the 2026 VitAL Annual ConferenceAlabamians are leading the way in building a better future for behavioral health. The VitAL Annual Conference brings together professionals, advocates, and changemakers from across the state to share ideas, inspire action, and strengthen our collective impact. This year’s event will feature dynamic keynote speakers, practical workshops, and opportunities to connect with others who are passionate about improving mental health, substance use, and trauma-related outcomes. Don’t miss this chance to gain new tools, fresh insights, and renewed energy for your work.

Suicide Prevention During Community Reentry After Incarceration
2026-08-26 11:00 - 12:30
Individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community face unique challenges that can increase their risk for suicide, particularly when barriers to care and support exist. This webinar will explore the factors that contribute to suicide risk during incarceration and community reentry, while examining the impact of access to behavioral health care, housing, employment, substance use treatment, and other essential services. Participants will learn evidence-informed strategies that correctional systems, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and community partners can implement to improve continuity of care, strengthen collaboration, and reduce suicide risk during the reentry process. By participating in this training, participants will be able to: Describe the factors that increase suicide risk for individuals during incarceration and throughout the reentry process.Examine common barriers to successful reentry, including access to behavioral health care, housing, employment, substance use treatment, and other community supports, and discuss how these barriers can affect suicide risk.Identify practical, evidence-informed strategies that correctional systems, healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and community partners can use to improve continuity of care and reduce suicide risk after release.

Hidden Hazards Webinar Series: The New Reality of Substance Use: Patterns, Predictions, and Case Studies
2026-08-26 14:00 - 15:30
The presentation will provide eye-opening information about the ongoing and ever-changing concerns of substance use in the U.S, and their clinical relevance. With Dr. Mathias’s role at the dual diagnosis unit of the psychiatric hospital, he is keenly in tune with the imminent needs for addiction treatment. This session will utilize several case studies to examine use patterns as well as social and behavioral trends that impact patient presentation and clinical needs. Understanding the dynamics of substance misuse in our society will help to develop much needed strategies for prevention and treatment geared towards those specific substances.

Learning objectives:

Identify emerging trends and shifts in substance use patterns across different populations, including changes in prevalence, substances of concern, and modes of consumption.

Examine the social, technological, and environmental factors driving these new patterns, such as cultural influences and policy changes.

Discuss the evidenced-based strategies for early intervention and treatment that address anticipated substance use challenges.

Factoring in Fathers: Paternal Perinatal Mental Health 101
2026-08-27 12:00 - 13:30
This webinar provides a broad overview of the psychosocial elements involved in the transition to fatherhood and men’s perinatal mental health. It examines how father involvement impacts the family system through real-world examples, and presents evidence-based approaches for engaging fathers with perinatal services, their children, and their partners during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Learning objectives:

• Broad overview of key psychosocial elements in the transition to fatherhood and men’s perinatal mental health

• Cite examples of how fatherhood involvement impacts the family system

• List evidence-based approaches to better engage fathers with perinatal services, with their children, and with their partners during pregnancy and early parenthood

Community Connections - Jefferson State Community College (Clanton)
2026-09-01 12:00 - 14:00
All community members are welcome! Questions? Email jescrivner@ua.edu

Addressing the Problem Before It's a Problem: Proactively Mitigating Behaviors in Autism (Professionals)
2026-09-03 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-09-17 11:00 - 12:30
Addressing the Problem before it’s a Problem: Proactively Mitigating Behaviors in Autism Spaces will prepare attendees with evidence-based strategies for engaging with challenging behaviors across the autism spectrum. These strategies are designed to proactively support de-escalation, transitions, and other challenges while also strengthening family support, education, and person-centered interventions. The session will also educate participants on Alabama-specific resources for ASD support and treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore contributing factors of common behavioral challenges in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

• Identify proactive strategies for de-escalation, transitions, and other behavioral support.

• Discuss interventions, family support and education, and ASD- specific resources available in Alabama.

Community Connections - Haleyville
2026-09-09 12:00 - 14:00
Free event – all are welcome! Questions? Email jescrivner@ua.edu

Justice and Substance Use Alabama Summit (Birmingham)
2026-09-10 08:00 - 17:00

Addressing the Problem Before It's a Problem: Proactively Mitigating Behaviors in Autism (Community)
2026-09-10 17:30 - 18:30

Justice and Substance Use Alabama Summit (Huntsville)
2026-09-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Jackson Center, 6001 Moquin Dr NW, Huntsville, AL, 35806, United States

Suicide Prevention in College Students & Young Adults
2026-09-11 11:00 - 12:30
College students and young adults face unique academic, social, financial, and transitional challenges that can contribute to increased mental health concerns and suicide risk. This webinar will explore risk and protective factors within this population while highlighting evidence-based approaches to early identification, intervention, and suicide prevention. Participants will learn how higher education institutions, healthcare and behavioral health providers, and community partners can collaborate to improve access to support and strengthen systems of care. The session will also highlight practical strategies for creating supportive environments that promote mental well-being and reduce suicide risk among college students and young adults.

By participating in this training, you will be able to:

Identify key risk and protective factors associated with suicide among college students and young adults.

Describe common systemic barriers that affect access to behavioral health services, crisis support, and campus and community resources.

Develop practical approaches to strengthening campus environments and systems of care that promote mental health, resilience, and suicide prevention.

Community Connections - Evergreen, Alabama
2026-09-14 12:00 - 14:00

Justice and Substance Use Alabama Summit (Mobile)
2026-09-17 08:00 - 17:00

Justice and Substance Use Alabama Summit (Prattville)
2026-09-18 08:00 - 17:00
