Mission

Our mission is 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 depathologize 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.

Our faculty is comprised of talented, seasoned clinicians and educators who are dynamic, articulate, and passionate about their work. They are committed to enhancing clinician efficacy, and are sensitive to the challenges that face Social Workers as they grapple with complex client issues.

Why Choose Us?

“Personable, organized, professional, and entertaining.”

“Infused with infectious warmth, compassion, and optimism.”

“Single best training I have done since graduate school”

Participants at The Ferentz Institute speak to the transformative impact of our trainings, and delight in our nurturing, supportive, and fun learning environment. We’ve established and continue to grow a unique educational process that’s both well balanced and multidimensional.

Working with nationally admired faculty, you will gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will help you advance as a clinician. At the same time, you will have a warm and engaging, participatory experience that promotes creativity, sharing, and networking.

The Ferentz Institute provides trainings at tiered levels of certification and workshops on an array of compelling topics. But we offer much more than CEU credits. We go to the very core of challenges you face personally in a demanding profession. Here, you are encouraged to balance helping others with helping yourself. Appropriate boundary setting, positive self-talk, and self-care permeate much of the learning.

You’re invited to fully explore our new website for details about our eclectic mix of trainings and workshops, faculty, and professional resources. We look forward to you joining us on a journey towards growth and enrichment both professionally and personally.

What people are saying about The Ferentz Institute:

Brian Shird
MS, LBSW

I was moved by the dialogue, and I now have a better understanding of the benefits of balancing spirituality and psycho-therapy. The therapist [Lisa] was awesome and one could get sense as to why she is so sought after. The feedback from the Rabbi [Goldberger] and the Priest [Father Ray] offered for me a unique look into the both perspectives and how each saw how the inclusion of spiritually can help ones clients achieve post recovery.

Brian Shird
MS, LBSW

I was moved by the dialogue, and I now have a better understanding of the benefits of balancing spirituality and psycho-therapy. The therapist [Lisa] was awesome and one could get sense as to why she is so sought after. The feedback from the Rabbi [Goldberger] and the Priest [Father Ray] offered for me a unique look into the both perspectives and how each saw how the inclusion of spiritually can help ones clients achieve post recovery.

Elizabeth Berman
CSC-AD

I absolutely loved this training. How to illicit hope, how and when to use spirituality as a vehicle for change and the difficulties and possibilities therein. The training was more of a conversation then a lecture, I am still thinking about this days after the training and have followed up on some reading suggestions that have also been inspiring. Thank you!

Michael Schlein
LCPC

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.

Danielle Deckard
LCSW-C

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.

Lisa A. Early
LCPC

Lisa is energetic, fully present and engaged, allowing for in depth impromptu conversations as part of the presentation, which is helpful.

Karen Reed
LICSW, LCSW

Lisa�s knowledge on the subject matter is incredible.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Lisa provides a comfortable learning environment. The presentations are clear and thoughts, feedback and questions are always welcome.

Brian Edwards
LCPC

I really appreciated Lisa's openness to all feedback and questions.

Cassandra Ekstrom
LCSW-C

She believes what she presents and cares about helping us to be the best therapists we can be.

Emily Perrin
LMSW

Lisa is always incredible - you learn from minute one to the end of the day. She's engaging, funny and breaks down the concepts in such an accessible way.

Karen Reed
LICSW, LCSW

I really appreciated Lisa's abilities to explain concepts.

Adesuwa Osemwegie
LCPC

Lisa has vast and commendable command in the subject area. Awesome!!

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Lisa provides a comfortable learning environment. The presentations are clear and thoughts, feedback and questions are always welcome.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Jill created a calm, comfortable environment. She welcomed questions and feedback from attendees.

Lisa A. Early
LCPC

Jill was engaging, enthusiastic, knowledgeable.

David Facenda
LICSW

I especially liked Jill's style, calmness, and pacing of the material.

Lori Pasch
LCSW-C

Jill was fabulously engaging, supportive, and protective of the space she created for us.

Lisa A. Early
LCPC

Jill was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.

Emily Perrin
LMSW

Jill was fantastic. Interactive, engaging and loved her entire approach to movement and art.

Brian Edwards
LCPC

Jill is a wonderful teacher!

Karen Reed
LICSW

Jill is an excellent presenter and she made herself available to advise on case material from the students.

Adesuwa L. Osemwegie
LCPC

Jill is approachable and warm. She's always willing to spend time to discuss privately, and is a wonderful person.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Jill created a calm, comfortable environment. She welcomed questions and feedback from attendees.

Cassandra Ekstrom
LCSW-C

Jill is so invested and connected to the work and this is apparent in her teaching.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Rev. Chase was knowledgeable and easy to follow. Rev. Chase welcomed questions and discussions throughout the presentation.

Emily Perrin
LMSW

I would love Father Ray to know that he was an absolute joy. Im sitting here smiling and almost tearful as I write this. From his enthusiasm, smiles, humor to his courages and beautiful empathy and compassion.. he was truly a joy. It was clear that he truly loves what he does and is so beyond skilled at it. The compassion he exudes is truly inspiring. Thank you Father Ray!

Cassandra Ekstrom
LCSW-C

TJ brought us something that adults and therapist working with adults forget about which is the importance of play. The class gave me a lot of aha moments in thinking about my client population. Additionally, the way that TJ embraces the topic with such passion and connection pulled me in and left me wanting more.

Jenniver Crooks
LCSW-C

TJ Matton was knowledgeable and easy to follow in the area of utilizing play in trauma therapy. I liked the balance of slides/learning and utilizing play breaks to get up and move around. The presenter provided great handouts and ideas to take back and use with clients.

David Facenda
LICSW

TJ was relaxed, easy to listen to, and knowledgeable about her topic.

Emily Perrin
LMSW

I thought TJ was awesome. I loved her energy. I would have loved to hear / see more of the games / play activates she uses with clients! Everything else was wonderful.

Brian Edwards
LCPC

TJ was very genuine and down to earth.

David Facenda
LICSW

I especially liked Peggy's level of knowledge and her working with the art therapy and the IFS modalities.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

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).

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Lisa teaches relevant and effective interventions and makes learning fun!

Jamie Christy
LCSW-C

Lisa was wonderful - as always. Her ability to retain engagement for 8 hours is a true talent and skill! So much gratitude for her expertise and skills to educate.

Karen Reed
LICSW

I appreciated our collaborating with peers and faculty, discussing cases and hearing feedback.

Brian Edwards
LCPC

Lisa allowed me to feel open express my ideas and ask questions.

Jennifer Crooks
LCSW-C

Level II helped deepen my understanding of trauma and parts work. Each class provided an opportunity to learn creative, expressive approaches that clinicians can immediately put into practice. Lisa and her faculty provided a supportive learning environment and I enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with other clinicians.

Emily Perrin
LMSW

I've completed my Level 1 and Level 2 with Lisa and I can hands down say you will learn more in this course than you do in all of grad school. Level 2 was not only extremely beneficial from a clinician and learning standpoint but one of the most profound experiences I've had personally as well. The integration of both parts and expressive modalities (alongside her incredible staff) provided one of the best educational experiences I've ever had. If you are wanting to grow personally, expand your knowledge and competence as a trauma clinical, Level 2 is a must!

Samantha Russell
LCSW-C

Lisa is extremely knowledgable, but still approachable. She made the training engaging and enjoyable.

Megan Robison
LCSW-C

I appreciate Lisa's realness. She isn't selling anything. She made me feel positive about myself as a therapist.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

I had heard a lot about Lisa and have watched her webinars and read her books; so I was extremely excited about the training. Lisa is an absolute delight in person - approachable, knowledgeable, engaging and compassionate. I cannot wait for the rest of the sessions!

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

Already I'm benefiting greatly from Lisa's excellent, thoughtful engagement and presentation based on her decades of work serving trauma survivors field. Her information is both practical and nuanced.

Yasmin Meyers
LCSW-C

Lisa is very dynamic, compassionate and uses humor while presenting material that may be challenging.

Shannon Harris
LMSW

Lisa is warm, knowledgeable, dynamic, and engaging. She�s pretty funny too!

Megan Robison
LCSW-C

Lisa has great energy and remains engaging throughout the day. She also provides information in a way that is understandable and relatable.

Jenna Adler
LCSW-C

Lisa is outstanding at teaching. She can make complicated topics easy to understand. She is also very warm and welcoming.

Kristin Morton
LCPC

I really appreciate Lisa�s expertise and humility.

Shyrielane Watson
PHD, LCPC

Lisa is easy to be with, welcoming, and approachable.

Emily Scott
LCSW-C

Lisa was responsive, welcoming and cared for participants. Her vast experience provided for very concrete examples of how the material translates to practice.

Alexa Julius
LCSW-C

Lisa is extremely knowledgeable, funny, kind, and encouraging.

Rebecca Steen
LPC

Lisa shared her wealth of knowledge and experience in an engaging and down to earth way.

Shannon Harris
LMSW

Lisa is very intentional in how she teaches the information. It�s helpful that she reinforces previous information by integrating it with new information.

Kristin Morton
LCPC

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.

Samantha Russell
LCSW-C

Lisa is open, approachable, knowledgeable and warm.

Shyrielane Watson
PHD, LCPC

The presenter.is clear, organized, thoughtful, and sensitive to the needs of the participants.

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

What I find most helpful is Lisa's ability to provide complicated information with easy to understand examples in a clear manner.

Kristin Morton
LCPC

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.

Yasmin Meyers
LCSW-C

Lisa is a fantastic presenter. Knowledgeable, charismatic, and friendly!

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

I'm benefitting greatly from the way Lisa presents information - a strong reasearch-based foundation combined with numerous practical applications. Thank you.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

Lisa was an empathic, normalizing, supportive and experienced facilitator.

Megan Robison
LCSW-C

Lisa has a way to make the information accessible and reducing imposter syndrome.

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

Gosh, it's hard to limit. There is so much to admire. I think I'd have to say what I like best is Lisa's ability to organize the wealth of her knowledge/concepts in such an organized fashion and her openness to generously share the wealth and specifics of her practical experience and knowledge with others. By doing so, she is spreading her important concepts and compassion for others to more effectively serve clients.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

Lisa is smart, capable, decisive, caring and is a great example of asserting boundaries and values kindly.

Jenna Adler
LCSW-C

Lisa would address all questions, gave lots of case examples and was so knowledgeable and kind.

Kristin Morton
LCPC

Lisa's offers her expertise in a style that invites the learner into the learning experience in a way that is open and supportive.

M Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

I was especially appreciative of Lisa�s ability to break down her extensive knowledge and experience into understandable components for clinicians to immediately begin to use.

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

I appreciated how well all of the extensive information is organized and presented.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

The compassion, empathy, knowledge and humor shines through in both Lisa and Dr. Ferentz.

Shyrielane Watson
PHD, LCPC

I really liked the presenters knowledge and helpful answers throughout the training.

Rochelle Sullivan
LGPC

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to take this course!

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

She's just wonderful - authentic, experienced and clearly cares a lot about everyone she works with (including us!)

M. Margaret Higgins
LCSW-C

I greatly appreciate Lisa's approach of comprehensive information backed by research intermingled with concrete, practical application and discussion.

Megan Robison
LCSW-C

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.

Rochelle Sullivan
LGPC

Lisa is an expert on this subject. She makes every session interactive and creates a safe environment to learn and grow.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

This was a phenomenal training which helped me develop significant personal and professional insights. I left every session feeling energized and excited about sharing new ideas and approaches with clients. Being in a room with Lisa and so many other therapists has been an incredibly normalizing, reassuring and encouraging space. Lisa has been a consistent model of compassion and client-centered care throughout and I can't wait to learn from her again in the future.

M. Margaret Higgin
LCSW-C

What a powerful comprehensive training! Lisa does a phenomenal job thoughtfully addressing multiple aspects of trauma-informed work with clients along with consistently providing specific, concrete practical applications. Her expertise and talent in communication provided me a solid foundation and that will enhance my work with clients. I'm grateful for the experience. Thank you!

Megan Robison
LCSW-C

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.

Rebecca Chandler
LMSW

Lisa encourages everyone to find their own way of working whilst giving them amazing resources.

Emily Scott
LCSW-C

I walked away with more applicable knowledge in 9 classes than in any formal education setting. I have a framework in which to view many, if not most, of my client's symptoms, and language now to use to express and explore these inevitable manifestations of trauma. I simultaneously was able to begin to put together some of my own story in a coherent and non-pathological manner as to why I was drawn to the field as well as how I can better care for myself and by extension care for my clients.

Lisa Greenberg
School Counselor

Jake's personality is amazing. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the topic, he was respectful of time, involved the audience which kept everyone engaged, created a safe space for sharing, professional, prepared, and he was warm and entertaining as well.

Stephanie Barbara Perrry
LCSW-C

Mr. Ferentz had an excellent grasp of current information in the field and shared both the theory and practice. He included the whole group in his presentation.

Sabeen Matalka
LGPC

Jake was an incredible presenter! He was very authentic and genuine in the way he showed up as a presenter and a person in the space! Thank you so much.

Jessica Beachley
LMSW

Lisa was real and well informed! Not stuffy and smart, but Sassy and Smart! Thank you!

Sylvana M Vigezzi
LPC

I especially liked learning about the way she has handled some of her cases and her amazing experience treating clients with complex PTSD.

Mariangela Weiskopf
LCPC

Lisa is always an amazing presenter. She shares her wealth of knowledge in a way that can be carried over into my own practice. It is always a privledge to learn from a true master.

Nia Foggy
LPC

Lisa is like a “therapist mother” that helps other therapist recognize their own strengths and encourages them to continue to do great work. You are guaranteed to take something from her training to use directly in your practice.

Anna Davis
MSW, LCSW, LSATP

Lisa is a talented presenter who uses presence and attunement to ensure that participants feel empowered and connected. Thank you so much!

Malley K. Hester Everngam
LCSW-C

I so appreciated Lisa's genuine nature and investment in our learning. Her teaching style is inviting, insightful, thought provoking and welcoming. I've taken Trauma Level I, Dissociation/Trauma and now C-PTSD training with Lisa. I've never heard her say to someone that they are "wrong." This is so encouraging and valuable when your mind feels jumbled after a long day of training. Thank you so much!

Elizabeth Chaudry
LMSW

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.

Sylvana M Vigezzi
LPC

Learning about the way she has handled some of her cases and her amazing experience treating clients with complex PTSD.

Laura Block
LCSW-C

I especially liked Lisa's ease in answering questions and proposing new approaches that seemed so amazingly simple but revelatory.

Mimi Thomas
LCSW-C

Jonah was organized, articulate and knowledgeble.

Amy S. Mazer
LCSW-C

Lisa is a dynamic speaker and seasoned therapist and she is able to cover difficult material in a way that is easy to follow.

Susan Goldart
DSW, LCSW

He is quite well versed in his field and seems to live his ideas.

Sarah Boone
LCPC

Jonah had a depth of knowledge and understanding of the material and was a clear communicator.

Laurey Richmond
LCPC

Jonah was knowledgeable, engaged, responsive, and modeled strengths-based language and teaching. He did really well responding to chatbox comments immediately and respectfully.

Nancy J. Frank
LCPC

Presenter was knowledgeable, articulate, provided excellent antecdotes, as well as providing excellent take aways that I will utilize tomorrow in my sessions.

Christine Barnes
LCSW-C

She created a safe space for us all. Was very kind and personable. Extremely knowledgeable and confident. Stayed on schedule.

Cherise Fowlkes
LCSW-C

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!