Live course + ongoing consultation calls
Charting the Course
Taking the mystery out of navigating client substance use.
You want to help your clients move away from coping with substances, but you wish you were more knowledgeable in that area.
You became a therapist to help people heal and live more fulfilling lives. You learned everything you could in school, soaked up knowledge from colleagues, listened intently to clients and learned the art of being a therapist.
Over the years you’ve seen countless clients with a wide range of issues. You’ve learned how to work with all sorts of people and all of their different issues. You’ve taken training to learn new skills and approaches. You’ve read, you’ve listened and you’ve watched to help yourself grow as a therapist.
There’s one area where it’s been hard to find the answers you need, substance use. Your clients trust you, like talking with you and you don’t want to refer out. You’ve searched and perhaps gone to trainings, but haven’t found what you are looking for. You want to be able to work with client’s substance use in-house.
You wish you could find a way to learn how to treat substance use without going back for another license or learning a new modality. You know that there must be a way to help your clients without sending them away. You’re ready to dig into this area with your clients, now you just need the right information.
What would it be like
if you felt confident addressing substance use
without needing to specialize?
- Imagine if you would know how to accurately assess your client’s use of substances
- Imagine if you would be able to quickly determine what your client needed and what to do next
- Imagine if you could use the skills you already have to address substance use
- Imagine if you wouldn’t have to refer out to a different therapist and could build on the relationship you already have
- Imagine if you could feel confident in your knowledge of substances and addiction
- Imagine if you would know how substance use impacts mental health and progress in therapy
- Imagine if you wouldn’t feel hesitant in asking your client about their substance use
I created the Charting the Course program to give you the information you need to feel confident and competent to effectively address your clients substance use no matter who comes your way.
Hi, I’m Betsy.
I’m here to help you gain confidence and competence
in working with substance use.
I’m a licensed therapist, substance use counselor, clinical supervisor and a person in long-term recovery from substance use. When I started in our field I felt confident in my grad school education and life experience. I figured that I knew most of what I needed to know about doing therapy.
In my first year as a therapist I learned quickly that I was missing a large chunk of information. I had clients who were using substances and I realized I had no idea what to do. I had found my way into my own recovery from substances, but I didn’t know how to translate that to my clients.
I spent the following few years learning everything I could from the substance use counselors I worked with. I went to training, I read articles and talked with my clinical supervisor. I was so thankful that I was able to catch up and learn what I needed to know!
When I became the clinical supervisor I committed to myself and to those who worked on our team that they would be able to feel confident and competent in this area. I saw therapists and interns be able to work more effectively with their clients.
I am passionate about the work we do and I believe we are uniquely suited to help clients with their mental health and their substance use. I’m so excited to bring this course to you so that you can bring more healing and freedom to your clients!
What Other Therapists Have Said
Check out what others have to say about working with me:
When you join the Charting the Course Program, you’ll get:
- Live 6-module course: With new lessons and downloadable resources each week. After the program ends all of it is yours for life!
- Resource Vault: Participants receive worksheets and handouts to help further expand on information and assist with integration into your current practice. Any future updates to these resources are yours to have.
- Next-day access to replays: Module replays are available the following day to allow for re-watching or catching up in case you have to miss a class.
- Monthly Group Consultation Calls: Monthly 60 minute group consultation calls for 6 months post-course to allow participants to ask about specific things and specific clients getting direct feedback from me.
“I had the privilege of training under Betsy when I was beginning as a therapist. I learned so much from her. Betsy is receptive and approachable, and really knows her stuff. She understands the complexities of work as a therapist, since she’s been working in the field forever, but she’s also is great at problem solving and collaborating on tangible steps forward in complex situations. She has shown that her knowledge in working with substance abuse is an integral piece in treating clients’ overall mental health, which I have found true in my own practice as well.”
“My time working with Betsy was pivotal in gaining insight, a deeper understanding of mental health and it’s relationship with substance use. I was able to learn in a kind, open, and supportive manner. Betsy was able to take substance use and put it together with a mental health framework that made sense to me and is the cornerstone for services that I currently provide to my clients.”Â
You might be wondering…
Do I have enough clients that struggle with substance use
that would warrant me taking this course?
For instance, the more we screened for trauma, the more we found people had trauma (even if they didn’t realize it). The more we ask about medical issues the more we find that people have some unmet medical needs. The same is true with substance use.
Course Breakdown
MODULE 1: All About Us
Evaluate your scope of practice and your own experiences with people using substances.
MODULE 2: Addiction 201
Deepen your knowledge beyond just the basics to help understand the cycle of addiction, the role of the brain and the impact on therapy.
MODULE 3: Popular Substances
Explore current substance and mental health trends to sharpen your knowledge and keep your practice relevant.
MODULE 4: The Assessment
Unlock key questions to ask your clients, discover what the answers mean, and identify potential roadblocks.
MODULE 5: The Plan
Examine levels of care, plan next steps for your client and determine how and when you will be involved.
MODULE 6: Putting it all Together
Integrate course information with your current skill set and theoretical approach so you can work with clients without having to specialize or learn a new modality!
MODULE 1:
All About Us
Evaluate your scope of practice and your own experiences with people using substances.
MODULE 2:
Addiction 201
Deepen your knowledge beyond just the basics to help understand the cycle of addiction, the role of the brain and the impact on therapy.
MODULE 3:
Popular Substances
Explore current substance and mental health trends to sharpen your knowledge and keep your practice relevant.
MODULE 4:
The Assessment
Unlock key questions to ask your clients, discover what the answers mean, and identify potential roadblocks.
MODULE 5:
The Plan
Examine levels of care, plan next steps for your client and determine how and when you will be involved.
MODULE 6:
Putting it all Together
Integrate course information with your current skill set and theoretical approach so you can work with clients without having to specialize or learn a new modality!
This is the information you need to feel confident and competent in helping your client assess their substance use and move towards the life they want.
You can have the tools to accurately assess your clients’ use of substances and confidently plan the next steps for treatment. You can work a high majority of substance use issues in-house and you will know when your client needs a higher level of care. I am here to support you as you begin to integrate this into your existing practice.
By participating in the Charting the Course program you will understand how to ask about your client’s use and interpret their answers. You will be able to determine if there is an urgent issue and what next steps you need to take. You will be able to use your existing skills to do the work your clients need without learning a new modality. As a result your clients will be able to find more freedom in their lives.Â
You already have the skills you need to address your client’s substance use. All you have been missing is information and some guidance. In this course you will get the missing pieces, feel competent and confident in this area. Join us for the next group!
Purchase Options
Pay In Full
One Time Payment of $997 USD
$997 USD
You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours.
2 Installment Plan
2 Auto-Charged Payments of $498.50 USD
Payments made at the time of registration and one month afterwards.
2 payments of
$498.50 USD
You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours,
Pay In Full
One Time Payment of $997 USD
$ 997 USD
You will receive a confirmation
email within 24 hours.
2 Installment Plan
2 Auto-Charged Payments
of $498.50 USD
Payments made at the time
of registration and
one month afterwards.
2 payments of
$ 498.50 USD
You will receive a confirmation
email within 24 hours.
From the Therapists’ Desks
More thoughts from clinicians I’ve worked with:
FAQs
What if some of my clients have substance use that is too much for outpatient therapy?
This is very likely! Once it’s routine that you ask about substance use, you may find that someone’s use is much bigger than it originally seemed. There is definitely a limit to what we can do in therapy. This course will help you evaluate your client’s use and decide what next steps should be. You will learn about levels of care and how to determine what a client needs.
You will have the chance to stay connected to your client as they transition to more specialized treatment. It is likely that you would be able to collaborate with the treatment providers and focus on mental health support while treatment occurs.
In my experience, clients appreciate this so much! They are often fearful and hesitant about seeing another provider. It helps ease their fears if you can help them transition.
When are the module calls held?
Weekly calls take place on Tuesday nights at 6pm CST to 8pm CST. Calls are held via Zoom. I have found that Zoom is the most stable platform overall (especially for those with less-than-stellar internet connectivity). I find that two hours is a good amount of time to have a meaningful discussion and module coverage.
The next cohort begins on July 11, 2023
What can I expect on a course module call?
Each week we’re going to start the next module that will always build on the previous week’s information. There is always time for questions and clarifications. I want our time together to be interactive as well as informative. We will do some practical work together and talk about case examples from real clinical experiences so that we can see how the information plays out our practices.
What if I have to miss a session?
Even with planning, things come up for all of us! Sometimes self-care might mean you need to miss a class. That’s why replays are available in our virtual course room the following day and you have lifetime access to the module recordings.
Are there Continuing Education Units (CEU’s)?
Charting the Course is approved for 12 hours of continuing education credits. The approval is approved by the MN Board of Social Work (MSW), the MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (LPC/LPCC) and the MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT). Most states will accept the approval from another state board. Be sure to check your state and board statutes. You will receive a certificate of completion with clock hours of training.Â
What if I don’t feel like I need the group consultation calls?
The group consultation calls are available for all, but not required. The reason I included these calls is that after we attend a training it can be hard to integrate information into our practice right away. I truly want to help you add this information into your practice and believe that giving a chance for clinicians to ask questions about real people is one of the best ways to be sure the information stays fresh and useable.
Will I have to talk, do a role-play or be assigned to a small group?
No. An emphatic no. I modeled this program to be something I would want to attend and I’ve had mixed experiences with things like small groups and role-playing. That said, I want to hear your questions and comments. After all, you are the reason I created this course! Additionally, in order to facilitate a great learning environment I have limited the size of the group to make sure that you have the opportunity to ask about real-life issues from your practice and to hear from the other clinicians in our group.
What is your refund policy?
I truly want people to participate in this course because they feel the need and want the information. I am not interested in just getting seats filled, I want it to be a good fit.
If after week 1 you decide this course isn’t for you, you can email and ask to be removed from the class. I will prorate your class fee so you only pay for what you attended. Please note this needs to be done before week 2 begins. After week 2, no refunds can be given.Â
I want to help you make sure this is the right investment for you! Send me an email at betsy@betsybyler.com to ask me anything about Charting the Course. I’ll give you my honest, zero-obligation opinion on whether or not this program is a good fit for you. You’ll never be pushed to buy something you don’t want or that won’t work for your practice
Feel competent and confident
to address any substance use that comes your way.
With clients who are appropriate for outpatient therapy you’ll know how substance use and specific substances impact mental health and brain function. This has huge implications for clients’ progress in therapy and informs the way we work with people. Finding the information you need for substance work is daunting! I do the work for you and give you what you need to know.
Your clients came to you and want to stay with you. Now you can keep working with them and in most cases won’t need to refer out. After all, the relationship they build with us is a big part of why people benefit from therapy.
Look no further, this is the comprehensive course for therapists, taught by a therapist.