
To provide social workers and other mental health professionals with state-of-the-art continuing education encompassing a variety of clinical issues, client populations, and practice settings. We believe effective learning occurs in a professional, nurturing, supportive, and fun environment that fosters collegial sharing and networking.
Our trainings encourage clinicians to reframe and de-pathologize symptoms, while focusing on clients’ resiliency and strengths. We believe that clinicians are only as effective as the extent to which they take care of themselves, so we also address issues of counter-transference, vicarious traumatization, and professional burnout.

Learn how to incorporate effective and creative trauma treatment strategies that promote self-compassion and healing.

Earn valuable CEUs through informative and experiential workshops that strengthen your professional skills and enhance your personal growth.
Discover trainings and keynote addresses that Lisa can offer your professional community at your clinical setting or conference.
Boost your professional knowledge and expand your expertise with our in-person and online trainings.
In this workshop we will look at the unique developmental aspects of the adolescent brain and why it is so vulnerable to the negative effects of social media and video gaming.
This workshop is designed for therapists new to the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model or those with a basic understanding seeking to expand their knowledge and application in clinical practice.
This workshop will give you creative opportunities to explore your underdeveloped talents, as well as deepen your listening skills: an essential attribute for being able to provide effective supervision.
Dr. Evans was well prepared and kept my attention from start to end. The information that I received and the knowledge that I gained was life changing.
[Sabrina is] Engaging, dynamic, thought provoking and fun!
I appreciate Lisa�s no-nonsense stance on this huge issue of media/social media affecting our children (all children).
Timothy was so wise and supportive in the way he presented the material. The environment was comfortable and facilitated space for questions and thoughts among participants, which is not always the case in virtual workshops.
I have been practicing for 42 years and I work with individuals who have been plagued with the suffering and consequences of trauma. I do consider myself “trauma informed." I have not experienced such clarity and integration of traumatic clinical processes and treatment [found in Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations]. In addition to strategic interventions offered to manage the journey without re-traumatization, Lisa Ferentz is a very gifted clinician and my wish is for younger professionals to be trained and influence their skills forever.
She was clear, very well-informed--in fact, I'd call her the best expert I've found on the topic to date.
Very personable and knowledgeable. Came from a strengths-based approach and I can tell the passion she has for the work and the clients.
I appreciate Lisa�s perfect balance of expertise, humility and humor. She is caring and careful as a presenter and has honed her years of practice and wisdom into a training that is full of critical and immediately usable information.
I appreciated Susan’s expertise, personal sharing of cases, and her personality.
Sabrina is a great educator and speaker. She is a real person and keeps it real!
Peggy presented the material in a way that was easy to understand and learn. She gave clear interventions to utilize with clients (art, collage, clay).
Dr. Papernow brings the perfect balance of warmth, knowledge, and skill to the topic of stepfamilies. Her care for this population is clearly evident, and she instills the confidence needed to tackle these complex issues with sensitivity and compassion.
I enjoyed this workshop. I feel like this and other offerings at the Ferentz Institute are the only time I receive continuing education that really, really speaks to these matters in a substantive manner. I hope to be able to attend more workshops in the near future. This particular one was impressive at the depth we went to in a relatively short amount of time.
The discussions of clinical case analysis in regards to ethics was super beneficial. Lisa shares the wealth of her clinical skills and knowledge in every workshop she teaches.
[Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations] was very informative. Lisa always does an outstanding job making it fun and interesting.
I've done numerous advanced trainings but this one was head and shoulders above the rest. Lisa's passion and non-pathologizing stance transformed the way I view my clients and inspired me to more creative in my work.
Not only was I able to leave [Creative Techniques for Managing Traumatic Stress: Grounding, Containment, and Resourcing} with skills I could use the next day in session, [the presenter] made the workshop interactive, engaging, and I was able to take concrete items for my own personal self-care toolbox!
The facilitator [Joanne] was very warm and engaging. She encouraged each person to bring a piece of themselves into the workshop [Screenplay: Helping Parents Teach and Reach Children in the Digital Age].
She's just wonderful - authentic, experienced and clearly cares a lot about everyone she works with (including us!)
This training has made me realize who I am as a therapist! I have learned so much and I see a huge difference in how I work with my clients. Thank you!
Attending this training was such a positive and meaningful experience. I've gained an essential and vast amount of knowledge related to trauma and its impact that offers a new lens from which to view clients.
I always benefit from learning with Lisa. Her experience is invaluable and the compassionate way she teaches concepts have become part of the way I interact and communicate with my own clients. The practical strategies will be invaluable in my work with them
From the start, I knew a made a great choice in investing my time and emotions in this program. I've learned so many tools and strategies to help my patients cope with their trauma and I've learned a lot about myself and how I can best support and guide my patients.
I cannot adequately express how much I gained from Lisa's training. I am tuned into my clients on a much deeper level, always mindful of safety, attunement, body language, and their ability to be fully present in session. Lisa is a very generous teacher as well. I encourage other clinicians to take the trauma training, it will give you so many new tools to help your clients.
Lisa has a beautiful blend of expertise in practice, compassion and humility that is enhanced by her skill in teaching what she knows to enhance the abilities of the learner.
Sabrina was engaging, direct, warm and above all, AUTHENTIC. I could feel her spirit through her tone, use of words and teaching.
Lisa [Ferentz] is an extraordinarily skilled presenter, who combines personal warmth with refined clinical acumen, and a great capacity for inclusion and compassion.
I look forward to the trainings at the Ferentz institute because I learn meaningful approaches that enhance clinical work. Lisa is a dynamic teacher utilizing researched trauma approaches, she invites participants into experiential exercises that solidify interventions in a whole brain fashion, both cognitive and emotional experiences create deep learning in a nurturing and caring environment. Lisa is attuned and models compassion to the participants.
This training was a game-changer for me. The strength-based approach Lisa takes has transformed the way I see my clients and the range of practical tools we were given has revitalized my work with them.
Jill is a wonderful teacher!
This was an awesome workshop that gave me the very unique opportunity to learn from the wisdom of a seasoned Rabbi, Priest and therapist. I left the workshop better equipped and more inspired to help my clients.
Dr. Evans was a wonderful and inspirational education and practitioner. His authenticity created a safe space and allowed for an environment where we could really experience our time with him.
The class provided a great understanding of OCD and treatment. Susan was so personable and knowledgeable�delightful!
Dr. Evans is a phenomenal, engaging educator. He is knowledgeable and fun to listen to. I appreciate the experience he brought and his gift of teaching. I will be looking for his trainings in the future.
Sabrina leads with her heart and invites us all to do the same. This approach coupled with her immense experience and insight allowed me to both learn new skills and ways of conceptualizing the work as well as tap deeper into my own wisdom and expertise.
Sabrina is knowledgeable, personable and authentic. When I sign up to do a training with Sabrina, I know I will grow as a clinician and as a human. I always get my money's worth and more.
I think Lisa brings such an experienced and knowledgeable level of awareness. She is unlike any other presenter I've had in how well she goes beyond the subject and is able to relate the topic to theory on a deeper level, and then individually to each of our cases/situations/questions.
She is such a genuine and authentic person in her teaching. She makes it easier to be vulnerable and self reflect on the material than I've experienced with other presenters.
Sabrina was very personable and allowed you to discuss situations that often made you feel vulnerable if you were to share it with other leaders/supervisors. I liked how she allowed you to feel safe and reflect on how to best address supervisory issues. I love the questions to ask Supervisees on what they will find helpful out of supervision, being better at focusing on my own self-care prior, during, and after supervision, and exercising Supervision as a ritual.
The classes for level two were extremely informative and helpful to me as a therapist. I always left with tools to use with clients. I became more confident in my ability to counsel with the help of this institute.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to take this course!
This was by far the best training I have attended. I learned that I was actually doing a lot correctly, but also learned a lot of things I could be doing. I look forward to Level II!
Lisa is easy to be with, welcoming, and approachable.
TJ was relaxed, easy to listen to, and knowledgeable about her topic.
Effective OCD treatment isn�t about feeling better right away � it�s about learning to feel discomfort and act anyway.� � A powerful insight from Susan Osofsky, LCSW
Aliza spoke in a calm, regulating manner. She was encouraging and knowledgeable.
[Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations] was well paced and delivered in a good conversational manner.
Lisa is an authentic, passionate, and highly gifted trauma informed therapist and educator! Thank you for this amazing opportunity!
I was extremely impressed with Sabrina and her [Therapists as Peacebuilders: Using Your Gifts for Global Impact] workshop. It correlated very well the combined existence of both therapy skills engaged with transforming power for mutual consideration of others.
The teacher was excellent!
[Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations] was a very interesting training and I learned so much. Definitely one of the best trainings I have ever been to.
The presenter was extremely knowledgeable and engaging. I learned a lot about the topic and how to apply the concepts to a broader population of clients. I highly recommend this training for those looking to use a perspective that encompasses cultural and familial contexts in supporting clients to change what no longer services them in pursuit of their goals.
Learning about the way she has handled some of her cases and her amazing experience treating clients with complex PTSD.
This program has helped me to become a more competent and confident clinician. I have begun using the skills and interventions from this program with current clients, and the shift in my practice and the progress of my clients has been amazing to witness. I recommend this program to every clinician who wants to develop or strengthen skills and knowledge of trauma informed care.
I liked that she was so able to present authentically from her pwn experience.
[What I liked best was] Susan's abundance of knowledge and understanding of OCD, as well as her enthusiasm and warm style towards presenting this training.
Susan was very knowledgeable about this topic and provided examples of how to safely challenge clients with OCD so that they can achieve lasting relief.
This training gave me new insight as an advocate and really put things in a new light.
I have been eager to strengthen my knowledge base and skill level in trauma informed care. My clients and I will benefit from the hands on approach that Lisa shares with care and attention for all of her program participants. I am now much more aware of the importance of both mind (brain) and body when it comes to the impact and significance of trauma histories and clients' current level of functioning and satisfaction with life.
Susan provided a myriad of case examples and experiential learning.
This is the stuff I wish we had in college! Lisa is an excellent teacher! Taking this course is something I have dreamed of since I first heard Lisa teach at another training. Every class I went away with immediately applicable teaching and resources. I immediately felt more confident and comfortable in my practice.
This program has profoundly changed the way in which I see trauma and interact with clients who are still living with and coping with trauma. Honestly, I feel like I have grown as a therapist and I know that patients I see, now and in the future, will benefit from the work I did in this training. I strongly recommend it to all professionals! Thank you, Lisa!
This has been, by far, the most useful and high quality training I have ever attended! I recommend this to any mental health professional and really anyone in a helping/health profession.
Lisa is amazing. She has a wealth of knowledge that is incredibly useful to working in the field of mental health. She is incredibly generous and thoughtful in her treatment of the professionals who take her program. I've gained a lot of confidence going forth to share my knowledge with clients who have endured trauma. I strongly recommend discrete training to anyone in the mental health profession. You won't regret it!
This program boosted my confidence and confidence as a therapist a TON. The information is so well organized and presented. Lisa is inspiring, motivating, and grounding all at once.
Lisa Ferentz's program in Advanced Trauma Treatment level I is the must-have for every clinician, no matter their population or therapeutic approach. Not only can this training help inform your work with trauma clients, it can provide another layer of therapeutic empathy that can be applied to all clients, and modalities that can be used with any client.
Sabrina was extremely engaging, welcoming, personable, knowledgeable. Her real-life experiences in the field integrated into the training helped to support the concepts she was teaching. Unforgettable!
Enjoyed [Effectively Treating Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder]. Presenter very knowledgeable, especially about OCD treatment of which I knew basically nothing. Experiential exercise really gave me a “felt sense” of what it is like to have OCD. Very challenging.
Listening to one of the most talented and gifted therapists was an absolute treat!
The presenter for [Evolving Treatment in the Face of the Opioid Epidemic] was energetic, knowledgeable and brought in a different perspective to such a sensitive topic. He brought in great speakers, and added human perspective to our Opiate epidemic. I liked his approach and teaching style.
Sabrina was very engaging and there was good participant interaction.
This was an awesome workshop that gave me the very unique opportunity to learn from the wisdom of a seasoned Rabbi, Priest and therapist. I left the workshop better equipped and more inspired to help my clients.
As a Black woman, this seminar spoke to me on so many levels. It was relatable to both my personal and my professional life. This was an amazing experience that I highly recommend to others.
I liked that the presenter made the material easy to understand. She was able to cover a lot of material in the time of the workshop. I also really liked to hear specific examples that will help with our future clients.
I had the privilege of witnessing one of my clients become fully integrated recently thanks to Lisa's DID trainings. My client reports feeling strong and calm for the first time in over fifty years. Lisa's classes were absolutely instrumental in allowing me to feel competent enough to work with this client and my other DID clients.
Lisa was real and well informed! Not stuffy and smart, but Sassy and Smart! Thank you!
Dr. Sabrina did a fabulous job engaging us for 12 hours. I loved the format, her knowledge, and the real-life tips and experiences to help us grow.
I thought the presenter was knowledgeable and had the perfect calming presence for this workshop.
Lisa is energetic, fully present and engaged, allowing for in depth impromptu conversations as part of the presentation, which is helpful.
I liked how passionate she was about IFS, and the energy and care she brought to the workshop.
Lisa has vast and commendable command in the subject area. Awesome!!
Thoughtful and reality-based discussion of the topic. Research backed information.
The session on [Evolving Treatment in the Face of the Opioid Epidemic] was informative especially for someone who is not in the field of substance abuse.
This program incorporates all of the contemporary and recent knowledge the field has gained in trauma-informed therapy treatment and gives therapists concrete tools and strategies to use with their clients. Lisa and her faculty provide warmth, support and encouragement all throughout the course.
Nancy was knowledgeable about the subject of codependency. I liked the examples she gave, and the handouts were very helpful. I have information that I can use immediately with clients.
This course was incredibly impactful on my practice and for my clients. Thank you for being so amazing!
Lisa's trauma training has brought me to a new level as a clinician. This should be required education for anyone in the clinical care or educational setting. The knowledge and resources gained through this course are invaluable.
The presenter [for Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations] was awesome. I have been to ethics trainings and it made your mind wonder away to other areas and all you could think about is leaving. Lisa is a passionate presenter and she keeps you interested. She was very respectful to the people asking questions. I really love her.
She [Susan] provided great ideas and suggestions given her expertise... it felt safe to ask questions, learn, and even be wrong because she was supportive and warm.
Lisa shared her wealth of knowledge and experience in an engaging and down to earth way.
Lisa Ferentz's Level I trauma training program is a gift for the clinician as well as their clients. Trauma informed care, I am learning, invites the therapist to use their whole self - mind, body, soul, spirit, and heart - to accompany clients on their journeys of healing.
I appreciate Lisa's realness. She isn't selling anything. She made me feel positive about myself as a therapist.
Lisa is extremely knowledgable, but still approachable. She made the training engaging and enjoyable.
I especially liked looking at supervision from a framework of 4 archetypes and their shadow sides; using heart, hand and mind to encompass all aspects of supervision; viewing supervision as engaging, fun, supportive and as a relationship, not just as a teaching experience.
The presenter [Dr. Evans] was dynamic, engaging and thought provoking. I imagine he's a remarkable therapist. I appreciated how he combined his clinical knowledge with his love of archetypal storytelling to bring about healing with his clients.
This training has enhanced my skills as an EMDR therapist and furthered my knowledge with Art therapy and IFS. Both of the presenters were extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and presented their information in a way that was easy to understand and could be incorporated into a non-art therapist’s practice.
I just loved how approachable Peggy was. There’s something so admirable about a brilliant professional who is so confident and doesn’t need to ACT brilliant. I also enjoyed the content of her course and really respected how she was neither defensive nor condescending when people asked questions in class. I hope I can do that when I teach.
She [Susan] was very knowledgeable, very organized and it interactive and informative. Loved the real life case studies.
Lisa's training was amazing! Lisa was able to connect the material to real life practice, she was super knowledgeable and passionate about the topic and willing to answer all questions the group had! I cannot wait until I can take another one of her training sessions!
Engaging and responsive to audience. Kept me engaged with little gems of wisdom when speaking about medications to clients and medical providers.
Lisa presented an exceptionally well-researched overview of the risks, myths, and ethical dilemmas surrounding cannabis use in clinical practice. What stood out most was her ability to translate complex scientific studies into clear, practical takeaways for mental health providers. She didn’t just present data—she helped us think critically about how to apply this knowledge in our work with clients. The presentation was not only informative but passionate.
The Ferentz Institute, Inc. is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland. CEU approval for all trainings is also granted to Psychologists, LCPC’s and MFT’s and approved by the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists and the Board of Examiners for Psychologists in Maryland. Reciprocity has also been granted for clinicians in Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas. All mental health clinicians are encouraged to check with their respective State Boards to learn if reciprocity is offered for our CEUs. The Institute also maintains full responsibility for all programming.
*Please note that, for workshops that offer CEUs in Anti-Oppressive Content, Ethics, and/or Diversity, those credits may only be used for one of those categories, not all.
Join interactive lessons, get expert feedback, and explore your creativity in a supportive community.

"...a magical guide to conquering our fears, phobias and emotional pain...”
—Janina Fisher, PhD
“… a real treasure trove of tools for healing..."
— Dusty Miller

“…a rich resource which helps empower the client and facilitate recovery..."
— Joyanna Silberg, PhD

"...a dynamic and strengths-focused approach to treating challenging trauma-based behaviors..."
—Nancy Napier, LMFT
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3701 Old Court Road, Suite #5
Baltimore, MD 21208
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