Behavioral Health ECHO

Program Description

Substance use disorder prevalence rates, as well as fatal overdoses, remain at record highs (Centers for Disease Control, 2021). The behavioral health workforce, regardless of specialty, or setting, needs to be prepared to effectively respond to clients who meet the criteria for a substance use disorder, or who may experience adverse health or mental health effects from risky substance use. This program will prepare behavioral health professionals to effectively screen, intervene, and refer (when necessary) clients with substance use disorders. The ECHO program will provide learners with a responsive community of practice continually available for didactic learning and group case consultation.

Who is this ECHO for?

    • Counselors
    • Substance Use Disorder Counselors
    • Social Workers
    • Peer Support Specialists
    • Marriage and Family Therapists
    • Psychologists
    • All Other Behavioral Health Providers

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe risky substance use and substance use disorder prevalence rates in various behavioral health and healthcare settings.
  2. Explain and apply effective methods of communication for working with individuals with substance use disorders.
  3. Compare and contrast different evidence-based practices to respond to substance use disorders and risky substance use.
  4. Implement evidence-based substance use interventions into day-to-day clinical practice.

The Office of Professional Development at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work provides continuing education in accordance with the criteria and standards of the Texas Board of Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Psychologists under Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 34. § 781.509. This course qualifies for one credit hour toward the following credentials: LCSW, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, and other Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council certifications.

Watch our most recent session:

Male patient Meeting With Counselor Discussing Mental Health

Behavioral Health ECHO

This Behavioral Health ECHO meets every last Friday of the month.

Click here to register!

Hub Team

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Denis Antoine, MD

Director of The Center for Addiction and Pregnancy,
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center

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Dee-Dee Stout, MA

Owner/Director,
Dee-Dee Stout Consulting

Lesley Mason

Lesley Manson, PsyD

Associate Chair of Integrated Initiatives, Clinical Associate Professor
Arizona State University

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Elisa Marie Medellin, MA, LPC-S

Consultant,
STRONG STAR Training Initiative

This initiative is supported by Texas Targeted Opioid Response, a public health initiative operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission through federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant award number HHS001046900001.