
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 6-hour workshop we will process the inherent challenges of working with traumatized clients in a variety of practice settings.
Unlock the power of creativity in therapy by blending art therapy techniques with Internal Family Systems (IFS) to deepen emotional awareness and foster self-leadership. Through experiential collage and clay activities, guided practice, and case demonstrations, participants will gain practical tools to apply these approaches in both individual and group therapy.
This workshop will focus on ethical issues that can arise in therapy when treating traumatized clients, as well as issues related to termination.
This was the most non-triggering, emotionally safe and supportive training on trauma I've ever experienced. Given the nature of this important content, the way the material was presented was truly masterful and informative.
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!
[Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations} was a rewarding workshop with a more macro view on ethical treatment of clients. Like all of Lisa's work (and trauma work in general) the workshop emphasizes the importance of relationship and pacing to ensure the safety of the client. The workshop provided specific ways to give clients a safe intake and assessment experience that does not trigger the client and is still informative for the therapist.
Presenter was knowledgeable, articulate, provided excellent antecdotes, as well as providing excellent take aways that I will utilize tomorrow in my sessions.
Janina consistently redefined pathology to befriending and honoring a child’s adaptive strategies, that now might be less useful as an adult.
I enjoy Lisa�s ability to connect with anyone.
[Susan is] Very positive, warm, and open and made it a safe space for discussion and learning.
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.
Lisa [Ferentz] is an extraordinarily skilled presenter, who combines personal warmth with refined clinical acumen, and a great capacity for inclusion and compassion.
Dr. Evans was a wonderful and inspirational education and practitioner. His authenticity created a safe space and allowed for an environment that we could really experience our time with him.
The Level I training was easily the most valuable training I've ever had. Not only was it professionally helpful, but personally. This class was so emotionally refreshing. I feel as if I have a bright new outlook on my profession and I am eternally grateful.
Dr Carter is an engaging presenter who took complex topics and explained them in ways that were clear and concise. He offered concrete strategies for continued professional growth and techniques to use with clients. I highly recommend his trainings!
Dr. N'Diaye brings warmth and expertise to this training. She inspires, models, and teaches effective technique within a well developed theoretical frame.
Dr. Sabrina is a genuine, authentic and compassionate teacher. I appreciate her ability to teach holistic wellness by sharing her knowledge and wisdom. I am grateful for her taking the time to address the importance of utilizing an integrative-approach with clients, as well as empowering clinicians to use healing practices to take care of ourselves as healers.
She was very knowledgeable about the topic and was open about her own personal experiences. The training brought hope for clients with an often seemingly debilitating diagnosis.
Jill was intelligent, knowledgeable of the subject matter, and treated her audience with respect. All information was explained and modeled in an easy to understand, personal format. I am eager to start doing some of her practices with my clients.
I really appreciated Lisa's openness to all feedback and questions.
I loved Aliza’s vibe and groundedness. She clearly knows her stuff!
This training provided so much quality information. All of it was immediately useful with my caseload. This was so beneficial!
Fantastic techniques shared that made me excited to get back to work and use with my clients.
This workshop facilitated by Lisa Ferentz was wonderful! It was very informative and the zoom presentation was as interactive and helpful as her workshops usually are, whether in person or on-line. Thank you Lisa!
The presenter [Dee] was knowledgeable, creative, and highly engaging.
The training was amazing. Although I wanted to learn more about Parts Work to be able to help my clients, I learned that and more. I now understand the importance of practicing what I preach. How can I talk to my clients about compassion for self, when I lack my own self compassion. I want to learn even more about Parts work not only for professional development, but for personal development as well.
Lisa “holds a space” for her students in a way that is restorative, empowering, comforting, and grounding. I highly valued all of my time in Level I and Level II with Lisa and her faculty. If you live within driving distance of an event provided by Lisa- make the time to attend! Soul altering work!
I feel so much more resourced and capable to work as a trauma informed therapist. This class has given me the confidence and renewed my passion for this work.
Aliza spoke in a calm, regulating manner. She was encouraging and knowledgeable.
I loved his energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject matter. It was evident that this subject is one of his passions, and it was wonderful to learn from his expertise and clinical case vignettes.
The Working With Dreams workshop was interesting and informative. Vivienne, our instructor, used experiential exercises to engage our group and illustrate how to use her techniques. I can't wait to try her methods out with my clients.
Patricia Papernow is very clear, her presence and engagement with participants is natural; she creates safety, invites questions and feedback, makes room for questions along the way, is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about the content. Supportive of sharing handouts with other clinicians, and includes handouts to give to clients. Amazing amount of resources given to us. Thank YOU!
I found [Understanding and Working with Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)] to be extremely useful when working with my Clients who present with Trauma based history, to include appreciating how Lisa gave a totally new perspective for Borderline Personality Disorder, which we Clinicians tend to shy away from. I am considering looking into the entire Trauma program that Lisa started. Great job, and will future/other Workshops presented.
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.
This was a wonderful workshop that engendered a meaningful conversation on spirituality and psychotherapy, and the role of both in post traumatic growth. The facilitators were very engaging and knowledgeable.
I honestly don't have the words to quantify how much I love and appreciate every minute of the Level 1 & 2 Trauma Training Program. The impact on both my personal and professional life have been profound. I wish the experience for every person called to a helping profession. I will always regard Lisa with gratitude for providing this opportunity.
This ethics workshop was awesome! It allowed for so much time to ask questions and explore concerns that attendees currently had. Lisa made it interesting and engaging.
This is the first training I completed that I genuinely looked forward to attending because I recognized the impact it had in my clinical work.
Lisa is a wonderful instructor and her course will mark a turning point in your practice.
I especially liked the level of knowledge and comprehensiveness of both the workshop and the presenter [Peggy].
Dee was able to generously hold space for myself and other therapists throughout the training. She did an excellent job of balancing theory with clinical application as well as having us be in tune with how the work we do impacts us (and vice versa). Her enthusiasm, knowledge base and authenticity made a long day in virtual training feel like a short time. I loved the tangible ideas and repetition of concepts in various ways to support learning and, hopefully, generalization! Would highly recommend this training AND would absolutely love to participate in one of Dee's trainings again!
I learned so much in this program. Lisa is so knowledgeable and understanding. There is so much time to connect with other clinicians and share different techniques.
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 Trauma Informed Assessments and Treatment training was nearly life changing for me as a clinician. Lisa was empowering, direct and willing to answer any question thrown her way. I took information from this training that I started using in my own practice immediately.
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.
Very knowledgeable about the subject matter and an engaging presenter.
Dr. Sabrina is inspiring, calming, and full of wisdom. This was a great way to start my journey as a supervisor.
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.
Dr. Evan’s 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.
Lisa is always phenomenal to learn from she's a master at the clinical art of counseling and teaching.
Powerful training full of knowledge, caring, and compassion.
I liked Dr. Evans' passion for his topic, the handouts and journaling at the end; his ability to engage the room, with 5 of the 17 participants not being African American or brown skinned; his not shying away from anger in a very articulate participant; and his willingness to share out of his own life, practice, and his faith.
As a clinician, one of the most important tools we have is our self. Lisa helped me find my own internal wisdom and see my blind spots.
Very helpful and gave me new perspective and skills to enhance peace building skills. Opened my eyes to actions I could take where before I felt helpless.
It's rare that a workshop grabs my attention and holds it from start to finish. [Trauma Informed Collage Methods was] Informative and engaging!
Denise was well educated, compassionate and experienced in her work with the clients that have endured domestic violence.
Appreciated the updated information and the direct and comprehensive way it was presented and discussed.
Lisa was able to breakdown concepts to be easily understood and has such a wealth of experience that she can really show how this can be woven in, and why it should be woven, into an assessment.
Ken was enthusiastic, engaging, and pretty funny given the content matter. He was conscious of time and his audience as well as very knowledgable about the material he presented.
This program has completely transformed my clinical practice. Using the skills and knowledge I gained through this program has benefited my clients, and makes me a more confident, competent clinician. I recommend this program to all of my colleagues!
[Trauma Informed Assessment and Treatment: Ethical Considerations] has enlightened my perspective on being able to gather imperative information in a safe matter that does not harm or re-traumatized a survivor. Her [Lisa] assessment questions are designed to allocate the client's ability to tell their story without partaking in a reenactment phenomenon. Great information for anyone who works with traumatized population.
I really appreciate Lisa�s expertise and humility.
All aspects were helpful, especially when sharing the neurobiology associated with trauma and the sharing of the actual execution of the TIST model and the nuances regarding unblending parts.
Dr. Wayne's personality is so real and authentic. He was warm, welcoming, greeted us each personally and engaged with us in relatable and understandable ways. Not 'academic' or 'stuffy' as some can be when presenting.
She created a safe space for us all. Was very kind and personable. Extremely knowledgeable and confident. Stayed on schedule.
Sabrina has such amazing knowledge and really encouraged participation, creating a safe and connected space to share and learn.
I got so much out of this training! and the case studies really helped things come to life. The only problem was there was so much information, I found it hard to integrate everything!
This workshop was very insightful. I learned so much about how to make clinical supervision effective utilizing a holistic approach. Dr. Sabrina provided a lot of relatable information. She was real and present throughout the entire workshop.
This training has truly changed my practice in the way I view both the students and my colleagues in my school. I have completely redesigned the school counselor office lighting to create a warmer more welcoming environment. I look at my most difficult students through a different lens, often picturing them as babies in the trauma he must've endured. I am a patient, more attentive and excited to use the myriad of strategies thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Sabrina was very knowledgeable and offered new content in a way that was inspiring and easy to digest.
Lisa does an exceptional job connecting with her audience and educating them at the same time.
This workshop was unbelievably informative. The facilitator was extremely engaging and presented in a way that could be easily implemented into one's practice.
Dr. Evans is an amazing speaker. His delivery and command of the subject matter 'Superwoman Schema in Black Women' was truly life changing for me. The information gained will be shared with others to help restore and transform their lives, as well.
I especially loved Lisa's energy and passion for the subject despite feeling unwell. Her depth of knowledge and experience.
Lisa Ferentz is a captivating and engaging speaker. [In Understanding and Working with Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)] she provided worksheets and techniques for immediate use. I am looking forward to taking another training from her in the future.
This training was the best I have attended! Lisa makes the subject matter engaging and accessible. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have gained. As I use the knowledge and modalities in session, I see how much it is benefiting from clients.
This was the most non-triggering, emotionally safe and supportive training on trauma I've ever experienced. Given the nature of this important content, the way the material was presented was truly masterful and informative.
Her knowledge and practical experience make it impossible not to glean from her trainings. Shane and Guilt are also realities that go hand-in-hand with therapy and especially trauma treatment. These are “must have experiences for all clinicians.
Jill was engaging, enthusiastic, knowledgeable.
Denise did an excellent job...I found her very knowledgeable and she used really relevant case examples (from her own experiences) that helped make the material more tangible. Her examples of reframing both assessment questions and how to respond to clients in a strength-based way were very informative...Overall, I very much enjoyed the training.
Lisa is a presenter who embodies competence and warmth and grace!. The workshop itself taught me new and wonderful ways to navigate clients through trauma with dignity and a wonderfully varied choice of modalities! Lisa's use of her personal journey with trauma patients was a wonderful and captivating way to learn.
Lisa is a vibrant, organized, compassionate speaker who has deepened my understanding and given me the tools I needed to break through with my most challenging trauma and abuse cases.
She was very knowledgeable, very organized and interactive and informative. Loved the real life case studies.
Heidi's style of interacting as she presented the material was kind, respectful, thoughtful, mindful, experienced, and yet humble.
There's no way you can leave a class you taught, Lisa, without learning new strategies and examples of how to encourage others.
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!
The class provided a great understanding of OCD and treatment. Susan was so personable and knowledgeable�delightful!
She [Dee] was so easy to listen to. She encouraged participation and validated what people said.
Learning about the way she has handled some of her cases and her amazing experience treating clients with complex PTSD.
The presenter gave clear explanations and had lots of expertise.
I believe the most positive take away from the workshop was the opportunity to interact with other participants. I do believe the workshop was well-planned and facilitated.
Sabrina was very engaging and there was good participant interaction.
I like the presenter’s warmth, willingness to address questions, flexibility, and knowledge.
Lisa is such a great communicator, connecting research and evidence-based practice in a deeply empathic way.
I gained immensely from Lisa's level one trauma training, and I am really looking forward to continue learning from her.
She [ Arrielle Seidler] was funny and down to earth.
Lisa is open, approachable, knowledgeable and warm.
I greatly appreciate Lisa's approach of comprehensive information backed by research intermingled with concrete, practical application and discussion.
Wonderful wonderful thanks able to use many things with clients learning in class.
Great information with experiential exercises. I really enjoyed connecting with the other participants.
I especially liked learning about the way she has handled some of her cases and her amazing experience treating clients with complex PTSD.
[Sabrina is] Engaging, dynamic, thought provoking and fun!
Susan was easy to follow & understand; and, she was especially honest if she didn't know something.
I really liked the presenters knowledge and helpful answers throughout the training.
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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