This lunch and learn session is designed to educate counselors about cybersecurity concerns that are directly impactful to them, their practices, and the safety of their clients. The technical aspects of the HIPAA Security Rule will be demystified, normalized, and mapped to counselors’ ethical responsibilities. Attendees will be provided with specific, actionable recommendations for securing their computers, email, networks, and accounts to better protect their clients. An easy self-assessment, designed specifically for counselors, will be provided to help attendees take stock of their current cybersecurity postures and use as a guide for improvements. This session was designed with independent and small group practice counselors in mind, but all are welcome to attend. This is an extended reprise of our July 2024 Lunch & Learn Workshop. It will include the information we discussed in July, as well as additional information on cybersecurity for counselors.
Presented by: Jeffrey Yeutter, PhD
Jeff is a 14+ year veteran of the global enterprise cybersecurity industry, where he has responded to numerous cybersecurity breaches and architected solutions for healthcare and commercial enterprises, as well as federal civilian and Department of Defense organizations. He is the HIPAA Compliance Officer for Paws2Heal Mental Health Counseling Services in Middleburg , VA, which he co-founded with his wife Kate, who leads the practice as an LPC and supervisor. Jeff is finishing his Ph.D. in Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the University of the Cumberlands; his dissertation topic is Counselors and Cybersecurity Technology Acceptance and Use.
The landscape of private practice for mental health professionals is ever-changing. The thriving practice must adapt, change, and continue to redefine its relevance to clients and referral sources. For the mental health professional just starting to the large group practice, thriving practices take risks and differentiate themselves from the competition.
This practical, nuts and bolts seminar will present tried and true strategies to begin a practice from the ground up and to expand an existing practice to the next level.
The NCE is a computerized exam, comprised of 200 multiple choice questions. Prepare yourself by taking this test prep course to help you pass the exam. Topic areas include: Human Growth and Development, Social and Cultural Foundations, Helping Relationships, Group Work, Career and Lifestyle Development, Appraisal, Research and Program Evaluation, Professional Orientation, and Ethics.
About the Presenter: Ashley Mitich, PhD, LCPC Ashley Mitich EdD, LCPC, NCC, earned a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Governors State University in University Park, Illinois. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois.
Her experiences include being a Director of Clinical Training and Associate Professor at North Park University (2019-present). An Associate Director (2013-2014) and Interim Director (2018-present) of Applied Professional Practice (APP)/ Office of Placement and Training (OPT) and Assistant Professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She oversees the practicum/internship training for Master’s and Doctoral students. Dr. Mitich is responsible for orienting the members of the learning community to the training site search, application, interviewing, and acceptance processes. She oversees the evaluation of student performance by site supervisors and faculty. Dr. Mitich is responsible for developing training sites in the Chicagoland area and regularly evaluating the quality of training that they provide.
Overall, she considers herself a clinician, supervisor, researcher, leader, and educator. As a clinician, she is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). She works with patients ranging from eight to 28 years of age, focusing on individuals and families dealing with depression, anxiety, self-esteem concerns, effective parenting, family of origin, and relational issues.
As a researcher, she plans use a scale she developed to measure people's attitudes about non-resident fathers. Her goal is to determine myths people believe about non-resident fathers, based on several factors, including culture, income, attachment, views of parenting, and socio-economic status. In addition to fatherhood research, she also focuses on areas of attachment, infertility, boundaries, mom guilt, and counselor identity through leadership. She shares her interests by publishing and presenting at the state, national, and international.
As a leader, she has been on several committees within the university:
Student Affairs Committee
Internet and Technology Committee
Institutional Review Board
Academic Review Committee
Curriculum Development Committee
Within departments:
CACREP Development
Chi Sigma Iota
Curriculum Development
Within the Profession:
Editor for Illinois Counseling Association- Contact
Illinois Counseling Association Publication Committee
Secretary of the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association
Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association Professional Development Committee Chair
Reviewer for International Journal of Psychology
President of North Central Association Counselor Education and Supervision
Association Counselor Education and Supervision On-Site Conference Coordinator
As an educator, she has taught undergrad, masters, and doctoral level courses in psychology and counseling. She has established several of the courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Counselor Education and Supervision programs at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. (Lifespan Development, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Advanced Treatment Planning and Psychopharmacology, Sexuality in Counseling, Assessment, Research Methods and Program Evaluation, Family and Couple Systems, Dissertation Proposal, Leadership and Advocacy in Counseling, and a NCE study class).
This workshop looks at the theory and strategies that focus on the supervisor/supervisee relationship. It offers some specific examples of ways to enhance the relationship and presents issues representing good boundaries in supervision. Specific attention will be given to how the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted supervision and the barriers sometimes created by telehealth and technology.
Dr. Toni Tollerud is a Distinguished Teaching Professor Emerita in the College of Education at Northern Illinois University. As an educator for over 48 years, Dr. Tollerud has had extensive experiences in supervision training including student teachers, school counselors, agency counslors, and counselors-in-training. more info...
