ARC Prevention Education Webinars

Want to receive information about our upcoming webinars in your inbox? Sign up here!

2025 Spring Webinar Series

April 30th — May 21st

Wednesdays 11:30am — 1:00pm

Register for free below. CEUs will be available for purchase ($15/per) once the series begins.

April 30th — Clinical Training (TBD)

Presented by Dr. Crystal Collier

Presenter Bio

Dr. Crystal Collier is a therapist, prevention researcher, educator who is an expert in adolescent brain development, prevention programming, parent coaching, addiction, family-of-origin work, and training new counselors. She created a free online, plug-n-play prevention program called KnowYourNeuro.org which teaches the neurodevelopmental effects of risky behavior to students, parents, and staff. Her published works include her neurodevelopmental prevention book, The NeuroWhereAbouts Guide, for parents and families who want to prevent youth high-risk behavior; a therapy workbook, FOO Mapping, for people who want to change their family-of-origin patterns that no longer serve them; and a children’s book series entitled Know Your Neuro: Adventures of a Growing Brain for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. 

May 7th — Courageous Self-Kindness in Recovery: Creative Process as Daily Practice

Presented by Dr. Bob Weathers

Session Description

Back this year for “Recovery Resilience 2.0” -- following on last spring’s well-received ARC workshop, and whose title came directly from the titles of his two most recent books, both out now on Cambridge University Press -- Bob Weathers, PhD, CMHRS, integrates cutting-edge, theoretical understanding about creativity with practical exercises for cultivating that same creative process and accompanying resources into our daily lives, as well as those of our clients in recovery. What Dr. Weathers has come to call “courageous self-kindness” represents a heart-centered emphasis that moves beyond standard advice about our all needing more “self-care” or “work/life balance” toward concrete actions that palpably support self-compassion and personal creativity -- not just as an idea, but as a daily practice: again both for ourselves and our clients. In fact, the guiding foundation for this workshop is that sustained success in recovery requires an ongoing commitment to such regular practices by our clients, many of whom have either neglected personal creativity owing to active addiction, or never developed such behaviors to begin with, again owing to the stunting which accrued from crippling addictions while they were still young. Key here for those of us working as recovery-oriented counselors and coaches is that we are modeling for our clients what we wish to impart, that is, by implementing such creative self-expression ourselves, not least in order to stave off professional burnout. A win-win, for sure, for both ourselves and our fortunate clients -- with sincere hope that all who participate in today’s workshop will leave with refreshed hearts and minds and with renewed vigor to truly “practice what we preach.”

Learning Objectives

Objective #1: Participants will be able to provide a psychologically researched explanation of creative process and its implications for sustained success in recovery from addictive behaviors

Objective #2: Participants will be able to differentiate between the nine key components of the psychological state of “flow” and relate them to creativity and human flourishing

Objective #3: Participants will be able to demonstrate how to practically apply interventions which assist recovering clients to cultivate personal creativity and related forms of “courageous self-kindness”

Presenter Bio

Bob Weathers, PhD, CMHRS, is a highly regarded educator, recovery coach, author, and public speaker. Dr. Weathers holds a PhD in clinical psychology, along with graduate degrees in religious studies. Over the course of his professional career, Dr. Weathers has provided tens of thousands of hours of therapeutic counseling and recovery coaching to satisfied clients. He has also committed over four decades to teaching, training, and inspiring graduate-level mental health providers at several southern California universities, including assisting in the development of their nationally accredited substance use disorders studies certificate programs and mindfulness-based clinical training coursework. His two most recent books on substance use disorders recovery are currently published with Cambridge University Press.

May 14th — Motivational Interviewing for Edible THC

Presented by Dr. Fredrick Dombrowski

Session Description

Many states have legalized the recreational use of THC flooding the market with products that are not regulated. Such products can look harmless and even considered to be marketed towards children. Coupled with the popular opinion that THC is a harmless drug, many clinicians are now having to treat clients living with Marijuana Use Disorder. This presentation will provide a discussion about the variance in substances found in edible products as well as identify how these products can be harmful for recreational use. Those attending this presentation will identify how to assess a client's readiness to change THC use. Participants will also identify how to apply Motivational Interviewing for those living with Marijuana Use Disorder.

Learning Objectives

Objective #1: Participants will identify the harmful effects associated with the use of edible marijuana

Objective #2: Participants will identify appropriate stages of change for those considering changing their marijuana use

Objective #3: Participants will identify how to apply motivational interviewing for clients living with marijuana use disorder

Presenter Bio

Fredrick Dombrowski, PhD, LMHC, CASAC-M, LPC, is the AMHCA Past President and has extensive experience treating those living with co-occurring disorders since 1998. He has supervised and directed multiple programs, including inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment. Currently a Department Chair at the University of Bridgeport, he is focused on experiential learning through a perspective of cultural humility and equitable clinical care. He has recently published the book Co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders and has appeared on television, radio, and the internet advocating for the helping professions. He has won several awards for his work with marginalized populations.

May 21st — Redefining Recovery: Insights in Gambling and Substance Use Disorders 

Presented by Dr. Heather DiBlasi

Session Description

The "Redefining Recovery: Insights into Gambling & Substance Use Disorders" workshop provides an in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between gambling addiction and substance use disorder (SUD), offering advanced knowledge and practical strategies for addiction professionals. This session examines the neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral overlaps between these disorders, emphasizing the shared mechanisms of compulsion, risk-taking behaviors, and dopamine dysregulation. Participants will gain critical insights into the unique challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring gambling and substance use issues, including barriers to treatment, financial distress, and the invisibility of gambling addiction due to the lack of physical withdrawal symptoms. The workshop also delves into best practices for integrated care, highlighting evidence-based treatment models such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), harm reduction strategies, holistic recovery pathways, and relapse prevention techniques. Additionally, emerging trends in the field—such as the role of mindfulness, social support networks, and the need for expanded screening and early intervention—will be discussed to equip providers with a comprehensive framework for improving client outcomes. At the end of this session, attendees will be better prepared to identify, assess, and implement effective treatment interventions for clients struggling with gambling and substance use disorders, ultimately bridging the gap in specialized care for these often-overlooked conditions.

Learning Objectives

Objective #1: Examine the Neurobiological and Behavioral Links Between Gambling and Substance Use Disorders

Objective #2: Identify and Address Barriers to Recovery in Individuals with Co-Occurring Gambling and Substance Use Disorders

Objective #3: Implement Evidence-Based and Holistic Recovery Strategies for Gambling and Substance Use Disorders

Presenter Bio:

Dr. Heather is an Addiction Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the addictions field. She has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome substance use, gambling disorders, and mental health challenges. For the past 15 years, she has been actively presenting workshops, lectures, and classes to diverse audiences on these critical topics, offering both professional insight and practical strategies for recovery and well-being. Her approach integrates research-based knowledge with compassionate, client-centered care, to promote lasting change. Dr. Heather is an award-winning Addiction Psychologist, having won such accolades as the United Nations - Drug Free Hero Award, the United Nations Convention – International Drug Prevention Award, and the Presidential Lifetime Service Award, along with her many other accolades. She is a highly sought after National Speaker, through her company Dr. Heather Talks, where she speaks on the subjects of Substance Use Disorders and Gambling Addictions. Dr. Heather is the CEO and Co-founder of H&M Wellness, a consulting and wellness firm that helps people with Substance Use and Gambling Disorders. She also assists mature, as well as start-up addiction treatment centers overcoming the hurdles of opening their doors or setting out on the path to success. Dr. Heather's recent book, "Understanding Addiction and Recovery: The Ultimate Guide to Hope, Healing, and Self-Discovery," is a smart, informative look into the lives of those with Substance Use Disorders, written for those looking to get help from the disease, or even for someone who wants to better understand a loved one afflicted by it. She has also appeared on numerous TV shows and Podcasts including Jodie Sweetin's "Awkward Conversations", where she encourages meaningful discussions and changes within families and communities around the often-ignored topic of addiction. Dr. Heather's presentations are engaging, entertaining and insightful resources for anyone seeking to address critical substance use issues. 

Want to see more webinars? Subscribe to our webinar platform!

For only $2.99 per month, subscribers will have access to exclusive webinars as well as presenter PowerPoints (if presenter allows). We are constantly adding new webinars and updating our content. Our current webinar library consists of the following webinars:

All webinars are 60-90 minutes in length.