Mississippi Board of Nursing

Overthinking, Rumination, and Anxiety: Practical Interventions for Cognitive Overcontrol is an advanced clinical training designed to help mental health professionals effectively conceptualize and treat clients who struggle with persistent, repetitive thinking patterns. The course differentiates rumination, worry, and adaptive problem-solving while examining the cognitive, behavioral, and metacognitive mechanisms that sustain overcontrol, including perfectionism, intolerance of uncertainty, and threat monitoring. Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Metacognitive Therapy (MCT), this course provides an integrative, evidence-based framework for intervention. Clinicians will learn
how to target maintaining factors such as reassurance-seeking, avoidance, and cognitive fusion, while also adapting interventions for co-occurring conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related disorders, and obsessive-compulsive spectrum presentations. Emphasis is placed on practical application, with structured tools, in-session strategies, and between-session interventions that can be immediately implemented across clinical settings.

Course Creation Date:  5/8/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course examines the development and maintenance of externally anchored identity structures, in which self-worth is derived primarily from image, social perception, and controllable external variables (e.g., partner success, social standing, material indicators, and family behavior). Participants will explore underlying psychological mechanisms, including attachment dynamics, narcissistic adaptations, shame-based identity formation, and cognitive distortions, and will learn evidence-based interventions to support clients in developing a stable, internally grounded sense of self.

Course Creation Date:  3/25/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This comprehensive nurse competency course is designed to strengthen foundational and advanced clinical skills required for safe, ethical, and high-quality nursing practice across healthcare settings. The program provides structured review and validation of essential competencies including patient assessment, medication administration, infection prevention, clinical documentation, emergency response, risk management, and professional scope of practice.

Participants will examine current standards of care, regulatory expectations, and patient safety frameworks that guide nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on clinical judgment, early recognition of patient deterioration, medication safety protocols, infection control procedures, and effective interdisciplinary communication. The course also addresses ethical decision-making, professional boundaries, cultural responsiveness, and health equity considerations to promote holistic and patient-centered care.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

For decades, depression has commonly been explained as the result of a “chemical imbalance,” particularly a deficiency of serotonin. However, contemporary research has increasingly challenged this simplified model. Depression and Serotonin: Reexamining the Chemical Imbalance Model critically reviews the scientific evidence behind the serotonin hypothesis, including large-scale umbrella reviews, neuroimaging findings, genetic studies, and clinical outcome data. Participants will explore why current evidence does not support the view that depression is caused by low serotonin levels and examine alternative, multifactorial frameworks that emphasize brain circuitry, environmental stress, trauma, inflammation, and psychosocial influences. This course equips mental health professionals with a nuanced, evidence-based understanding of depression and provides guidance on ethically communicating treatment information to clients while supporting informed, collaborative care decisions.

Course Creation Date:  2/22/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides healthcare personnel with foundational and role-appropriate knowledge to deliver safe, effective, and developmentally appropriate care across the lifespan. Content addresses physical, cognitive, psychosocial, and safety considerations for patients in each age group, ensuring compliance with Joint Commission standards HR.01.05.03 and PC.01.02.03.

Course Creation Date:  12/17/2025

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Cultural competence is essential for providing safe, effective, and compassionate care in today’s diverse behavioral health and substance-use treatment environments. This training equips mental health clinicians, direct-care staff, peer specialists, and recovery professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver culturally responsive services that honor each client’s identity, background, and lived experience.

Course Creation Date:  November 11, 2025

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is a cornerstone of evidence-based care for individuals with substance use disorders, integrating pharmacologic interventions with counseling and behavioral support to improve outcomes and reduce relapse risk. This course provides clinicians with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical application, safe administration, and potential risks associated with MAT medications used to treat opioid, alcohol, and tobacco use disorders.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides mental health professionals with a practical and clinically relevant overview of psychopharmacology. Participants will explore the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and side effect profiles of the major classes of psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, stimulants, and medications for substance use disorders. Emphasis is placed on the integration of psychopharmacology with psychotherapy, cultural and ethical considerations, medication adherence challenges, and the recognition of red flags requiring referral to prescribers. Through interactive case studies and applied discussions, clinicians will gain the knowledge necessary to collaborate effectively with prescribers, support informed client decision-making, and enhance treatment outcomes while maintaining professional scope of practice.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected individuals in vastly different ways—while some thrived in remote environments, others experienced heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. For many, these mental health challenges led to increased reliance on substances as a means of self-medication, with patterns of abuse often persisting well beyond the pandemic’s peak. This course explores the long-term impact of the pandemic on substance use, the role of isolation and disrupted support systems, and provides practical strategies for clinicians and professionals to support clients struggling with post-pandemic substance abuse.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Clients often hold internal perceptions of age that differ significantly from their chronological age, influencing identity, behavior, and treatment engagement. This subjective age dissonance can manifest in adults who feel far younger than societal norms suggest, or in adolescents who assume adult roles and responsibilities prematurely. This course explores the psychological, developmental, and cultural factors contributing to perceived age identity and its implications for mental health treatment. Clinicians will gain tools to assess and address age-related cognitive dissonance, developmental mismatches, and unrealistic self-concepts across the lifespan, with a focus on person-centered, developmentally appropriate interventions.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course is designed to enhance clinical competence in delivering informed, person-centered care. It equips mental health professionals with practical interviewing and communication strategies, introduces research-based treatment approaches, and strengthens assessment skills for identifying and managing clinical risk factors such as suicide, violence, and other high-risk behaviors. Participants will also learn how to collaboratively develop effective safety plans that align with ethical and legal standards of care.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course is designed for behavioral health, administrative, and healthcare professionals seeking practical strategies to minimize the risks and disruptions associated with interruptions to electronic information systems. These systems—including EHRs, billing platforms, scheduling tools, and communication networks—are essential to delivering safe and effective care. Participants will explore common causes of interruptions, proactive prevention measures, response protocols, and regulatory expectations from organizations such as HIPAA, The Joint Commission, and CARF. Emphasis will be placed on creating clear procedures, assigning team roles, and conducting post-incident reviews that lead to improved resilience and compliance.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course is designed for master’s and doctoral-level mental health professionals seeking to advance their clinical competence in addressing the complex and often nuanced interface between religion, spirituality, and psychological functioning. Clients frequently present with affective and cognitive experiences that are deeply shaped by their spiritual frameworks, including distressing phenomena such as shame, guilt, fear, and moral injury, as well as adaptive processes such as meaning-making, resilience, hope, and existential grounding.

Participants will examine empirically informed and ethically grounded approaches for integrating discussions of religion and spirituality into clinical practice. Instruction focuses on evidence-based strategies for assessing and treating religiously mediated shame and guilt, conceptualizing and intervening in spiritually framed anxiety, and therapeutically leveraging faith-based values to support motivation, behavior change, and post-traumatic growth. The course further emphasizes clinical ethics, cultural humility, and professional standards for working competently with diverse belief systems, ensuring interventions remain client-centered, respectful, and clinically appropriate across varied religious and spiritual contexts.

Course creation date:  May 5, 2025

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course examines the crucial role of community integration in promoting mental health recovery and overall well-being. Participants will learn to identify, navigate, and coordinate a wide variety of community-based mental health resources, ranging from outpatient services and residential care to peer support programs and beyond. Emphasis is placed on practical strategies for linking clients to appropriate services across the continuum of care, enhancing continuity, and promoting long-term engagement. Through real-world case examples and actionable tools, professionals will develop the skills needed to advocate for client needs, collaborate effectively with community partners, and bridge the gap between clinical services and everyday living supports.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides a thorough exploration of peer support as a transformative approach within mental health and substance use facilities. Participants will learn the foundational principles of peer support, including personal advocacy, engagement strategies, recovery and resiliency frameworks, community-building, and the ethical use of shared life experiences. This course blends current best practices, real-world case studies, and practical tools for implementing and sustaining effective peer support programs. By emphasizing lived experience and mutuality, the course equips learners to foster hope, empowerment, and lasting change in diverse behavioral health settings.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of health equity, focusing on the social, systemic, and structural factors that contribute to disparities in healthcare access, outcomes, and experiences. Participants will examine how biases, socioeconomic factors, cultural barriers, and institutional practices impact health delivery and will learn strategies to create more inclusive, equitable care across medical, dental, and mental health settings.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Accurate medical record documentation is a vital skill for nurses and nursing assistants, bridging patient care with clear, concise communication and ensuring legal compliance within healthcare facilities. This course provides foundational knowledge and practical techniques necessary to effectively record patient information, adhere to confidentiality standards, and recognize the legal implications of documentation practices. Participants will explore best practices for maintaining thorough, accurate records, understand their role in safeguarding patient privacy, and gain essential insights into how meticulous documentation can protect both patients and healthcare providers.

This course is not intended as legal advice.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course is designed for healthcare professionals seeking effective strategies to enhance interactions with patients experiencing cognitive decline. Participants will learn practical techniques for clear communication, recognizing non-verbal cues, and fostering compassionate engagement. Emphasizing empathy and adaptability, the course provides essential tools for healthcare workers to confidently navigate challenging interactions, improve patient outcomes, and enhance overall care quality.

Course created 4/3/25.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides nursing, mental health, and substance abuse professionals with a foundational understanding of dementia, its impact on cognition and behavior, and actionable strategies for delivering effective, compassionate care. Emphasis is placed on trauma-informed approaches, communication techniques, and managing co-occurring disorders to better serve clients with memory impairment.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Adolescence Nutrition and its Impact on Mental Health explores the critical relationship between nutrition and mental health in adolescents. It delves into the nutritional needs during adolescence, the gut-brain connection, and how specific nutrients influence mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. The course also addresses barriers to healthy nutrition, strategies for promoting positive eating habits, and future directions in research and policy. By integrating nutritional strategies into daily life, individuals can enhance the well-being of adolescents and support their mental health during a pivotal stage of development.

Course created 3/25/25.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Understanding the responsibilities of mandated reporting is essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals. This course will provide an overview of the legal and ethical requirements for reporting suspected abuse and maltreatment in behavioral health settings. Participants will learn which professionals are required to report, the appropriate procedures for filing a report, and the critical timelines that must be followed to comply with state and federal laws. By the end of this training, professionals will be equipped with the knowledge needed to navigate these responsibilities with confidence and diligence.

This course is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or professional advice. Participants are responsible for applying their own judgment and following all relevant laws, regulations, and professional guidelines. The course provider is not liable for any actions taken based on this material.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Harm reduction is a compassionate and evidence-based approach that focuses on minimizing the negative consequences of substance use and risky behaviors rather than solely emphasizing abstinence.  For mental health and substance abuse professionals, understanding harm reduction is crucial because it fosters a nonjudgmental, client-centered approach that builds trust, promotes engagement in care, and ultimately enhances treatment outcomes. By integrating harm reduction principles, professionals can better support individuals in making safer choices, improving their quality of life, and accessing resources that promote long-term health and recovery.

Course Creation Date:  5/9/26

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is a type of evidence-based psychotherapy that combines elements of traditional talk therapy with specific eye movement techniques to help individuals process and resolve traumatic memories and distressing experiences.  It provides a highly effective and efficient way to address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, phobias, and grief.

This course will explore the history of ART, the key principles and objectives, scientific foundations, and benefits of ART, preparing counselors and therapists to incorporate this in their work with clients.

While you technically do not need to be formally certified to use Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) with clients, to practice ART ethically and effectively, most professionals recommend completing a basic level training course from a recognized organization like the International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (IS-ART), which provides the necessary knowledge and skills to properly administer the technique; this is especially important to ensure quality care and client safety.  This course is intended to introduce the profesional to the technique and give an overview.

 

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing mental health care, creating new opportunities for clinical support, administrative efficiency, documentation assistance, psychoeducation, care coordination, and client engagement. As AI-supported tools become more common in counseling and behavioral health settings, clinicians must understand both their potential benefits and their limitations.

This course examines the emerging role of AI in counseling practice through a clinical and ethical lens. Participants will explore how AI may support certain aspects of care while also raising concerns related to confidentiality, informed consent, bias, accuracy, data privacy, documentation integrity, client autonomy, and overreliance on automated systems.

Rather than presenting AI as a replacement for clinical judgment, this course emphasizes that mental health professionals remain responsible for assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, risk management, ethical decision-making, and the therapeutic relationship. AI may assist practice, but it cannot replace clinical reasoning, cultural responsiveness, or the human connection central to effective counseling.

Course Creation Date:  5/7/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or maltreatment is a serious legal and ethical responsibility, especially for mandated reporters. Because reporting laws vary significantly by state, professionals must understand not only when a report is required, but also who must report, where the report must be made, and how quickly action must be taken.

This course provides a state-by-state overview of mandatory reporting requirements for suspected child abuse and vulnerable adult abuse across the United States. Participants will review the circumstances that may trigger a reporting obligation, the required timelines for making a report, and the procedures for contacting the appropriate child protective services, adult protective services, law enforcement, or other designated agency.

The course also emphasizes the importance of timely action, accurate documentation, and understanding the limits of professional discretion when abuse or maltreatment is suspected. By the end of the course, participants will have a clearer understanding of how reporting requirements differ across jurisdictions and how to respond appropriately when concerns arise.

Course Creation Date 5/1/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course will explore how culture and stereotypes play a role in how we see ourselves and our clients. We will explore cultural competency through cultural awareness, beliefs, knowledge, and skills. We will examine the implications for counseling theory, research, practice, and training. Participants will gain insight into how their own cultural backgrounds influence their perceptions and interactions with clients. Additionally, the course will highlight strategies to enhance cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in therapeutic settings including addressing anti-discrimination and oppression in healthcare.

 

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course will explore how culture and stereotypes play a role in how we see ourselves and our clients. We will explore cultural competency through cultural awareness, beliefs, knowledge, and skills. We will examine the implications for counseling theory, research, practice, and training. Participants will gain insight into how their own cultural backgrounds influence their perceptions and interactions with clients. Additionally, the course will highlight strategies to enhance cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in therapeutic settings.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Understanding and Preventing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in Recovery Facilities a comprehensive course designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to address one of the most critical public health challenges within recovery settings. This course will provide in-depth information on common STDs, effective prevention strategies, and specific measures to prevent the spread of these infections in recovery facilities.

 

Course Creation Date:  5/29/2025

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Ethics and standards of practice form the cornerstone of behavioral health services in Mississippi, ensuring the provision of quality care while upholding the rights and dignity of individuals seeking assistance. Mental health professionals in the state adhere to a robust ethical framework established by organizations such as the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors and the Mississippi State Board of Psychology. These guidelines encompass principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice, guiding practitioners in their interactions with clients, colleagues, and the community. Additionally, professionals are expected to maintain high standards of competence, integrity, and cultural sensitivity in their practice, recognizing the diverse needs and backgrounds of their clients. By prioritizing ethical conduct and adherence to established standards, behavioral health practitioners in Mississippi uphold the trust and confidence of those they serve while promoting the well-being of individuals and communities across the state.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

In Mississippi, the legality and ethics of telemental health are governed by a framework that seeks to balance accessibility with patient welfare. The state requires mental health professionals to adhere to stringent standards outlined by the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors, ensuring practitioners are licensed and qualified to provide remote services. Additionally, adherence to federal regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is mandatory to safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality. Ethical considerations in telemental health encompass issues like informed consent, boundary management, and cultural competence, demanding practitioners to diligently navigate these complexities.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Divorce is a major family transition that can affect children emotionally, socially, academically, financially, and developmentally. While divorce itself does not determine a child’s long-term outcome, the way adults manage conflict, communication, parenting responsibilities, financial changes, and family restructuring can significantly influence how children adjust. This course examines the effects of divorce on children across developmental stages, with attention to the loss of the family unit, changes in routines and traditions, holidays and special occasions, stepfamily adjustment, and the child’s expressed wishes and desires.

Participants will explore both the negative impacts commonly associated with divorce and the protective factors that can reduce harm. Special focus is given to the difference between high-conflict and low-conflict divorce, the role of parental cooperation, and counseling considerations for families navigating separation, divorce, remarriage, and co-parenting. The course emphasizes a child-centered approach that helps adults understand children’s needs while supporting healthier family adjustment.

Course Creation Date:  5/11/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course explores animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP) theory and practice, focusing primarily on therapy dogs due to their prevalent role in volunteer and professional settings. The historical, theoretical, and practical dimensions of AAP are described so learners gain a foundational understanding of attachment theory, biophilia theory, and human-animal relational theory as they pertain to AAP. The course critically examines the efficacy of AAP through research, outlines challenges, and presents clinical applications across various psychological approaches. It also covers the selection and characteristics of successful therapy dogs, therapy dog registration, and the importance of pursuing advanced training for practitioners interested in integrating AAP into their practice.

Course Creation Date:  5/7/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course examines Mississippi child abuse and neglect reporting requirements, including the legal responsibilities of mandated reporters, reporting procedures, and required reporting timelines. Participants will review the importance of reporting suspected maltreatment, methods for assessing potential abuse, and the recognition of physical, behavioral, and environmental indicators associated with child abuse and neglect.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course offers a focused examination of advanced directives within contemporary clinical, ethical, and legal contexts. It reviews the foundations of advance care planning, emphasizing patient autonomy, informed consent, and substituted decision-making, and analyzes the clinical importance of advanced directives in promoting self-determination and guiding care during periods of incapacity. Participants explore the primary types of advanced directives, their essential components, and jurisdictional considerations, along with specialized attention to Behavioral Health Advance Directives, including psychiatric advance planning and issues related to fluctuating decisional capacity. The course further prepares clinicians to competently assist clients in developing, documenting, and integrating advanced directives into treatment planning while maintaining ethical and professional standards.

 

Course created 11/29/2023.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Social media can be a great thing. It helps you keep in contact with friends and family across the globe, you can find out about events going on in your area, and you are frequently “in the know” when things happen in your workplace or with a colleague. Occasionally, this real-time, sometimes unfiltered information has led to social media mistakes that lead to hasty firings and individuals who instantly regret their tweets and posts.

This course will explore the effective use of social media, including the pitfalls of using social media, online image, confidentiality, and workplace expectations.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Permanent change is hard. Despite the reasons to want to live a sober lifestyle or exercise regularly, changing behaviors permanently takes work.

This course will explore why people behave as they do and how change can be made easier.

Course Creation Date: 5/22/2022

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Severe anxiety can arise after trauma or injury, under persistent stress, or extreme change. This course will explore distinguishing between everyday worry and an anxiety disorder, the top five anxiety disorders, signs, symptoms, and risk factors.  We will also discuss treatment approaches.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

The 42 CFR Part 2 regulations serve to protect patient records created by federally assisted programs for the treatment of substance use disorders. Part 2 has been revised to further facilitate better coordination of care in response to the opioid epidemic while maintaining its confidentiality protections against unauthorized disclosure and use. This course will explore these regulations.

 

Course Creation Date:  6/2/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Sleep is a complex and essential behavioral state that occupies approximately one-third of the human lifespan. Although it is a universal and biologically necessary process, its clinical significance is often underestimated. Sleep plays a foundational role in physical health, cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, neurobiological restoration, and overall mental wellness. Disruptions in sleep are not merely secondary complaints; they can contribute to, exacerbate, or reflect underlying psychiatric, medical, and behavioral health conditions. For clinicians, understanding sleep as a core determinant of health is essential to comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and long-term client outcomes.

Course Creation Date:  5/7/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides a clinical overview of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, including its historical development and theoretical foundations. Participants will examine the primary clinical applications of EMDR and the populations for which it is most commonly utilized. The course will also outline the procedural framework of EMDR, reviewing the core phases of treatment and the mechanisms through which this therapeutic approach facilitates trauma processing and symptom reduction.

Course created 6/28/2020.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Telemental health has become an increasingly established modality for delivering behavioral health services through secure, interactive audio-visual technologies. As clinical practice continues to expand beyond traditional office-based settings, mental health professionals must be prepared to evaluate when virtual care is clinically appropriate, ethically sound, and responsive to client needs.

This course examines the clinical, ethical, and practical foundations of telemental health practice. Topics include definitions and models of telemental health, potential benefits and limitations of virtual service delivery, client appropriateness and screening considerations, risk management, informed consent, confidentiality, emergency planning, and relevant professional ethical standards. The course also introduces reimbursement and documentation considerations that may affect the delivery of telemental health services across practice settings.

Course Creation Date:  5/7/2026

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Addicts, more than anyone, know that what is put in the body alters health, mood, and abilities.  The same holds if the substance is alcohol, other drugs, or food.  Nutrition plays an important part in overall health and recovery from substance abuse.

This course will explore the connection between nutrition and drugs, how substance abuse disrupts nutrition, the nutritional side effects of detox, what nutrients can benefit recovery, and food as an addiction.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered, directive counseling method aimed at enhancing intrinsic motivation that helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior.

This course will discuss ambivalence and its role in client motivation, overall and specific to substance abuse issues. We will explore the five basic principles of motivational interviewing that can be used to address ambivalence and to facilitate the change process. We will also look at approaches to use with clients in the early stages of treatment.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.

This course provides a clinical overview of trauma, abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with an emphasis on emotional and psychological trauma across the lifespan. Participants will examine underlying causes, including commonly overlooked contributors, as well as risk factors that increase vulnerability and the impact of early life trauma on future outcomes. The course also reviews symptom presentation, indicators for professional intervention, and evidence-informed strategies to support stabilization, recovery, and ongoing resilience.

Created 10/27/2015.

This course is offered online. Internet connection required.