Continuing Education Units…But Make It Black

Sankofa Counseling is an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) through the NBCC; licensed providers can receive Continuing Education Credit (CEUs) upon completion of our courses.

Mental health professionals are required to keep learning after graduate school, but most training systems still offer very little preparation for working well with Black and Brown communities. In Oregon, counselors and therapists are only required to complete 8 hours of cultural competency training every four years. 

This lack of training has historically harmed individuals engaging in mental health services. It also impacts clinician’s ability to work confidently, compassionately and effectively. Limited understanding of cultural differences can lead to incorrect assessment, resulting in misdiagnoses, and therefore inappropriate or ineffective treatment. 

CEUs, But Make it Black exists to respond to this reality and close this gap. These trainings are designed to help clinicians deepen their skills, renew their professional commitments, meet state licensure requirements, and feel more supported in the field, while centering the needs Black/African American, and QTBIPOC providers and clientele. The goal is simple: better support for providers leads to better care for clients seeking care, stronger community outcomes, and less burnout and isolation for providers. 

We hold deep gratitude to the Oregon Health Authority for investing in our ability to launch this department.

Pillars of Practice (NBCC-approved Ethics course)

Hours: 8
Format: Live seminar
Prereqs: None

Pillars for: Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists

What you’ll learn:
A deep exploration of the ethical foundations, state laws, licensure requirements, and professional standards that mental health practitioners are legally responsible for knowing and maintaining.  Participants learn to identify and engage with non-negotiable Pillars of Practice such as medical necessity and mandated reporting, while gaining tools to apply these standards in culturally responsive ways.

Apply

Gender-Affirming Services: Assessment + Letter Writing (coming fall 2026)

Hours: 8
Format: Live workshop
Prereqs: None

What you’ll learn:
Best practices for providing affirming care to transgender and nonbinary clients, grounded in WPATH Standards of Care. This training prepares clinicians to conduct gender-affirming assessments and write letters for medical care and procedures, with a focus on the experiences of Black, Brown, and BIPOC communities.

Apply

General CEU Courses

The following trainings are Professional Development offerings designed for mental health practitioners (counselors, social workers, psychologists).

The Golden Thread Series.

This series consists of 3 individual sessions that can be taken individually or as a complete series. Sessions can be taken individually, but must be taken in order

  • Hours: 3
    Format: Live or Pre-recorded download
    Prereqs: None

    What you’ll learn:
    How to develop a thorough case conceptualization during the assessment & intake process that supports a clear diagnosis and achievable treatment goals. This course includes a deep review of the clinical components of a mental health assessment and strategies for developing a diagnostic impression that is both responsive to and protective of the clients' rights and lived experiences. This curriculum is based on the laws/rules set forth within Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). 

  • Hours: 3
    Format: Live, register in advance
    Prereqs: Completion of Part 1

    What you’ll learn:
    An overview of how systemic health inequities play out within the mental health field. We will explore how our personal lens’ and professional training experiences impact our diagnostic frameworks, and review symptoms and experiences that are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed in Queer, Transgender/nonbinary, Black and Brown communities. Participants gain strategies for culturally informed, ethical diagnosing that honors clients’ lived experiences and reduces potential impact for harm. 

  • Hours: 3
    Format: Live, register in advance
    Prereqs: None

    What you’ll learn:
    Practical tools for creating documentation that meets ethical and legal standards while protecting client privacy and dignity. Emphasis is placed on accurate, trauma-informed, and ethics-aligned record keeping.

Clinician Survival Series

A 2-part series to navigate common challenges every clinician faces, creating space to name the realities of the work and build practices that support longevity and well-being.

  • Hours: 5
    Format: Live or pre-recorded
    Prereqs: None

    What you’ll learn:
    How to recognize and address symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue, with practical strategies for boundaries, resilience, and professional sustainability. This is a tough field to be in long-term; this workshop is designed to support you as you support others. 

  • Hours: 4
    Format: Interactive live session
    Prereqs: Part 1

    What you’ll learn:
    How to create a personalized action plan for managing stress and sustaining well-being. Clinicians leave with practical tools to support long-term health and career longevity.

Trainings for Organizations and Teams

Sankofa Counseling also offers customized professional development for clinics, agencies, schools, and community organizations. Topics can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your staff and community.

For Us, By Us - Why This Matters

Learning that affirms who you are makes better clinicians. Better clinicians make healthier communities. By creating accessible, culturally specific continuing education, we aim to:

  • Increase clinician confidence and competence

  • Reduce burnout and professional isolation

  • Retain more QTBIPOC providers in the mental health field

  • Improve long-term outcomes for Black and Brown clients

  • Build a stronger, more compassionate system of care

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Us About CEUs