Veduta Center
A New Perspective on CE Requirements for Mental Health Professionals
What We Offer
Veduta Center: Your Choice for Continuing Education
Veduta Center is your new source for Continuing Education (CE) experiences for mental health professionals. We offer Trainings to fulfill your CE requirements for licensure and license renewal including, Workshops to increase and document your professional knowledge, and Consultation Groups to help you develop your skills.
‘Veduta’ is an Italian word meaning “vista” or “understanding.” The name Veduta represents our mission, to help you broaden your vision and expand your understanding. At Veduta Center, we accomplish this with novel and effective educational experiences, designed by our expert staff to increase your knowledge and teach you the skills you need. Our Consultation Groups bring mental health professionals together to learn from each other. We are committed to creating a community of professionals with expert skills, broad understanding, and a shared vision.
Welcome to our new website. Take a look at what we have to offer, and come back often. We are adding new trainings, workshops and consultation groups all the time - and we’re just getting started!
All trainings, workshops and consultation groups offered through Veduta Center have been vetted, endorsed and many developed exclusively by Dr. Francesca Giordano.
Dr. Giordano is widely known for her highly successful workshops. These include her NCMHCE exam preparation, and many others, such as effective treatment planning, sexuality, career counseling and psychodynamic psychotherapy. She has achieved Diplomat status in Marriage and Family Therapy, and won several prominent awards, including Robert J. Nejedlo Distinguished Leadership Award,C.A. Michelman Award for Outstanding Service to Illinois Counseling Association and Professional Counseling and Counselor Educator of the Year.
Dr. Giordano has been a faculty member in counselor education and supervision for more than 30 years. She holds the rank of professor at several universities including Northwestern University (Clinical Professor), Northern Illinois University and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Professor). She holds an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) license in the state of Illinois.
Policies
The following policies apply to all programs:
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Veduta Consulting is committed to offering cost-effective CE programs to mental health professionals. General program costs are based on a $200/hour model, to include presenter fees, registration costs and related expenses. Specific program fees are determined by estimated attendance. Participant fees may also vary with any over-program costs of the presenter.
Fees will always be clearly and accurately indicated on promotional materials and the Veduta website. Advertised program fees are guaranteed, and will never be increased once paid. Discounts may be offered for early registration.
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There is a $50 cancellation fee for all program registrations.
Program fees may be refunded in full on request, less the $50 cancellation fee, until seven days before the scheduled date. Because program fees are determined by estimated attendance, notice of cancellation and refund requests must be received at least seven days prior to the scheduled presentation date. No refunds will be made after that date, including non-attendance on the day of the presentation, or thereafter.
Programs may be cancelled, rescheduled or otherwise altered due to circumstances beyond our control.
In the event that Veduta must cancel, alter or reschedule a presentation or program, all participants will be offered an opportunity to either attend the rescheduled presentation at no additional cost, or cancel with a full refund. The $50 cancellation fee is waived in such cases.
Veduta Consulting, LLC is not responsible for any loss or damage as a result of cancellation, rescheduling or other alteration of an offered program. Veduta Consulting, LLC assumes no liability whatsoever for any activities or presentations that may be cancelled, rescheduled or otherwise altered.
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Veduta Consulting, LLC is committed to the prompt and satisfactory resolution of all program participant concerns. Please contact Dr. Francesca Giordano at fgiordano@vedutaconsulting.com regarding any issue requiring review or resolution.
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Veduta Consulting, LLC is committed to protecting the security of your personal information. All participant information is held on a secure platform, using industry-standard encryption and an appropriate program management system.
With the participant’s permission, Veduta Consulting, LLC may collect certain personal information for use in advertising future programs and other activities. Typically, such information will include your e-mail address, and may also include your name, title, company or organization name, e-mail, phone number(s), or work or home address.
Credit card information is processed on a secure platform, using industry-standard encryption. It is not retained and is deleted promptly after all payments and/or refunds have been processed.
Personal information, including e-mails, will not be shared with anyone other than the staff of Veduta Consulting, LLC. However, with the participant’s permission, participant e-mails or other feedback may also be shared with presenters, some of whom may not be affiliated with Veduta Consulting, LLC.
Please note: Participants may choose to communicate with the staff of Veduta Consulting, LLC using non-secure means, including e-mail, text or others. Veduta Consulting, LLC assumes no liability or other responsibility for the security of such communications.
These policies will be published on the Veduta Center website with prompt updates for any changes. Any questions or concerns about our privacy policies should be directed to Dr. Francesca Giordano, at fgiordano@vedutaconsulting.com
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Veduta Consulting, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7155. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Veduta Consulting, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. CE credits from an NBCC provider can be applied to counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers in most states. Participants are responsible for checking their state’s licensure laws for appliable provider qualifications.
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Participants will be provided a CE certificate to document the CEs that can be applied to CE licensure requirements. Total required CE credits for licensure renewal vary by state, so participants are encouraged to check their state licensure laws. The number of CE per workshop/training is determined by the length of the workshop and the total hours of attendance. Certificates will be emailed to participants after completion of the evaluation/quiz associated with each workshop.
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Licensure laws will allow attendance in consultation groups to meet some CE requirements. These requirements are described as “supervision experiences” in the licensure laws. Participants are encouraged to check their state licensure laws for details. Consultation group experiences are documented through a letter rather than a CE certificate and don’t require a provider number. Total hours associated with a consultant group will vary with group type and will be indicated in the group description on the Veduta Center website. Letters will be sent to participants after completion of the group experience.
Workshops
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Neurodiversity & Epistemic Injustice
Waitlist Available
Sunday, March 19th 1-4pm
Virtual Flipped Classroom12 CEs
Workshop Fee: $0Presenter: Morgan Kinney, LCPC
This workshop will explore and synthesize different frames for understanding "normal neurodiversity" as a natural context for neurodiversity in the therapeutic setting. The concept of epistemic injustice is used to frame how stigma is created and maintained by knowledge, stereotypes and assumptions that disempower and discredit a marginalized community based on how they may be unfairly understood by the dominant communities. The medicalization of neurodiversity may play such a role by turning a natural diversity of life history, cognitive and meaning-making strategies into diseases that clients must passively frame their ways of knowing and being through. This workshop will be broken into three parts: ways of framing natural or normal embodied neurodiversity; practical ways of framing mental health issues for these communities; and in-depth exploration of ADHD and ASD in these contexts. A final group session will consider case studies, clinical issues, summarize takeaways and provide opportunity for discussion. -
Impression Management in Psychotherapy: How to use yourself as an effective therapeutic tool
Saturday, February 18th 9-4pm
8S Michigan Ave, Suite 28006 CEs
Workshop Fee: $120Presenter: Dr. Francesca Giordano
Regardless of theoretical orientation or treatment technique, all clinicians recognize the importance of the therapeutic relationship. One aspect of developing a relationship with clients is understand the impression you make and the impact that impression has on them. This training will help clinicians explore the impact of their impression on clients and other professionals. Through understanding impression and impact, participants will learn to better manage their therapeutic relationships with clients.
Because of the importance of interactive dialog and reflective activities, this workshop will be offered in-person. It will be limited to 12 participants.
Trainings
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Tholagé™ Neuropsychotherapy Basic Training, Parts 1 & 2 (Sep)
Monday, September 9, 2024
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Friday, September 13, 20249:00 am — 4:00 pm Central
7:00 am — 2:00 pm Pacific
8:00 am — 3:00 pm Mountain
10:00 am — 5:00 pm EasternVirtual Via Zoom
30 NBCC Contact Hours
$559 Early Bird Through 7/31/2024
$739 starting 8/1/2024Presenter: Deanna Chrones, MA, LPC
Tholáge™ (formerly known as RELEASE) is a neuropsychotherapeutic system of somatic, eye-movement, and mentalization techniques, used for treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and numerous other mental disorders. This treatment was studied first by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW), then by the UW system, with new studies poised to begin at other universities.
In this 5-day, virtual, and synchronous training, participants will learn Tholáge™ techniques to help clients access suppressed emotions, which are transdiagnostic of numerous mental health disorders. Tholáge™ techniques are natural, non-invasive biological and mental exercises shown to access specific neurochemicals, which help clients access suppressed emotions. Tholáge™ also neurologically replicates the middle of the window of tolerance and social connectedness. Current research has shown that these neurochemicals are ideal for reducing attachment anxiety, which further increases emotion processing and reduces symptoms.
Tholáge™ training helps improve clinical understanding of traumatic memory at the neural level and how to change the physiological impact of those memories in a deeper way than other treatments. It also trains you in approaches that create new, healthier neural pathways over time.
Topics
• Gain clinical understanding of traumatic memory at the neurochemical level including impact on the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex
• Learn the neuroscience behind novel exercises to help clients access the specific neurochemicals needed to change the physiological impact of traumatic memory and to access associated suppressed emotions
• Learn the Tholáge™ treatment protocols
• View demonstrations of Tholáge™ techniques
• Participate in supervised practice of techniques with other participants
• Understand the neuroscientific differences between Tholáge™ and other treatments
• Build a toolbox of life-changing neural exercises
After training, you will be Tholáge-trained (“Tholáge-T”). You will also receive your CE certificate for 30 hours, from Veduta Center. However, to receive your Tholáge certification (“Tholáge-C”), you must complete at least 5 hours of virtual, group Case Consultations in the year after your training.
Deanna Chrones, the creator of the Tholáge™ neuropsychotherapy technique, is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Illinois and a registered mental health counselor intern (RMHCI) in Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has authored articles published in scientific journals and given presentations to national audiences about the connection between the human eye and emotional regulation. Deanna is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), certified in hypnosis, and has more than seven years of experience in human services. She currently works in private practice with clients in Illinois and Florida.
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Tholagé™ Neuropsychotherapy Basic Training, Parts 1 & 2 (Oct)
Monday, October 14, 2024
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Friday, October 18, 20249:00 am — 4:00 pm Central
7:00 am — 2:00 pm Pacific
8:00 am — 3:00 pm Mountain
10:00 am — 5:00 pm EasternVirtual Via Zoom
30 NBCC Contact Hours
$559 Early Bird Through 8/31/2024
$739 starting 9/1/2024Presenter: Deanna Chrones, MA, LPC
Tholáge™ (formerly known as RELEASE) is a neuropsychotherapeutic system of somatic, eye-movement, and mentalization techniques, used for treating trauma, depression, anxiety, and numerous other mental disorders. This treatment was studied first by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW), then by the UW system, with new studies poised to begin at other universities.
In this 5-day, virtual, and synchronous training, participants will learn Tholáge™ techniques to help clients access suppressed emotions, which are transdiagnostic of numerous mental health disorders. Tholáge™ techniques are natural, non-invasive biological and mental exercises shown to access specific neurochemicals, which help clients access suppressed emotions. Tholáge™ also neurologically replicates the middle of the window of tolerance and social connectedness. Current research has shown that these neurochemicals are ideal for reducing attachment anxiety, which further increases emotion processing and reduces symptoms.
Tholáge™ training helps improve clinical understanding of traumatic memory at the neural level and how to change the physiological impact of those memories in a deeper way than other treatments. It also trains you in approaches that create new, healthier neural pathways over time.
Topics
• Gain clinical understanding of traumatic memory at the neurochemical level including impact on the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex
• Learn the neuroscience behind novel exercises to help clients access the specific neurochemicals needed to change the physiological impact of traumatic memory and to access associated suppressed emotions
• Learn the Tholáge™ treatment protocols
• View demonstrations of Tholáge™ techniques
• Participate in supervised practice of techniques with other participants
• Understand the neuroscientific differences between Tholáge™ and other treatments
• Build a toolbox of life-changing neural exercises
After training, you will be Tholáge-trained (“Tholáge-T”). You will also receive your CE certificate for 30 hours, from Veduta Center. However, to receive your Tholáge certification (“Tholáge-C”), you must complete at least 5 hours of virtual, group Case Consultations in the year after your training.
Deanna Chrones, the creator of the Tholáge™ neuropsychotherapy technique, is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Illinois and a registered mental health counselor intern (RMHCI) in Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern University with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has authored articles published in scientific journals and given presentations to national audiences about the connection between the human eye and emotional regulation. Deanna is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), certified in hypnosis, and has more than seven years of experience in human services. She currently works in private practice with clients in Illinois and Florida.
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Psychodynamic Theory in Practice - Part I: From the exploration of painful feelings to the corrective emotional experience
Sunday, March 5th, 2023
7am-2pm (PST); 8am-3pm (MST); 9am-4pm (CST); 10am-5pm (EST)Workshop offered on Zoom
6 CEs
Training Fee: $120Presenter: Dr. Francesca Giordano
Therapists working to resolve their client’s emotional and psychological pain must be able enter the client’s experience on a deeply emotional level. Psychodynamic theory provides valuable insight and powerful techniques to develop this vital therapeutic relationship, and evoke the change clients need.
Unfortunately, many therapists, especially those new to practice, perceive psychodynamic principles and training as hard to understand and hard to use. They avoid it, limiting their choices to more cognitive and behavioral strategies.
This is because psychodynamics is often poorly presented, in an overly dense and theoretical way.
In this workshop, Dr. Giordano will break down the principles and practices of psychodynamic treatment into clear, understandable components, and present them as practical, useful tools for therapy.
Topics:
The use of the self as a therapeutic tool
Exploration of painful feelings and emotional trauma
Immediacy as a core skill
Attunement
Defenses and Resistance
Transference and Countertransference
Holding Environment
Corrective emotional experience
Dr. Francesca Giordano directed a Masters-level psychodynamic training program for over 20 years. As a professor in Counselor Education, she has taught many classes in basic and advanced psychodynamic theory. She is also a practicing therapist, who uses psychodynamic theory in her everyday work with clients.
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Psychodynamic Theory in Practice - Part II: Case Conceptualization and Goal-Setting
Saturday, March 18th, 2023
11am-2pm (PST); noon-3pm (MST); 1pm-4pm (CST); 2pm-5pm (EST)Workshop offered on Zoom
3 CEs
Training Fee: $40Presenter: Dr. Francesca Giordano
Case conceptualization is an essential skill for developing clear and specific treatment goals. Clear and specific treatment goals are the basis of effective therapy.
Psychodynamic theory has a unique relationship with the concepts of assessment, diagnosis, goal-setting, interventions and outcomes. The goal-setting requirements of insurance are often written from a cognitive or behavioral perspective. This can be confusing or frustrating for therapists who use psychodynamic theory and techniques.
In this workshop, therapists will develop their skills in case conceptualization from a psychodynamic perspective, learn how to develop and set psychodynamic goals and how to apply them to the treatment-planning process. This workshop will address each step of the process - assessment, diagnosis, goal-setting, interventions and outcomes – in relation to psychodynamic theory and its application in practical therapy.
Topics:
Intentionality and planning as measures of change
Psychodynamic case conceptualization
Goal-setting and outcomes
The use of assessment and diagnosis in psychodynamic treatment
Dr. Francesca Giordano directed a Masters-level psychodynamic training program for over 20 years. As a professor in Counselor Education, she has taught many classes in basic and advanced psychodynamic theory. She is also a practicing therapist, who uses psychodynamic theory in her everyday work with clients.
Consultation Groups
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Introduction to Psychodynamic Consultation Group
Saturday, 9:30-11am
March 4th and 18th
3 CEs for Supervision ExperiencePresenters: Drs. Francesca Giordano and Nona Wilson
Cost: $200
This consultation group will be offered via Zoom.
Are you a professional counselor looking to deepen your understanding of the practical value of a psychodynamic orientation? Do you want to build—expand—your connection to a network of professional counselors who embrace psychodynamic practice? This introductory consultation group is for you. Drs. Giordano and Wilson will lead a small group (5-6) of practicing counselors in a 2-session consultation group. Participants should have some foundational knowledge of psychodynamic practice and be prepared to discuss one case from their practice in the group.
Please Note: A maximum of 8 hours of CE can be obtained from supervision and consultation experiences for counselors. To count this experience toward CE requirements, as indicated by the LCPC licensure law, this experience will be documented with a signed letter from Dr.Giordano indicating the start and end dates, the consultation site, and the 3 hours of participation.
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More Consultation Groups Coming Soon.
Presenter Bios
Morgan Kinney
Morgan Kinney is a clinical counselor, supervisor and consultant at Veduta Consulting. He has been a therapist since 2011, working with diverse populations in settings ranging from crisis work, psychiatric inpatient, social work and now in private practice. For fifteen years, he has been passionate about mental health reform and integrative theory development, which has led to his present practice based on a novel integrated model of non-pathological neurodiversity theory and therapy. He looks forward to sharing his success in helping people of many different backgrounds find their niche, overcome trauma, discover their individual identity and establish meaningful personal relationships.
Dr. Francesca Giordano
As a counseling faculty member and supervisor with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Giordano has been helping therapists evaluate their therapeutic presence and learn to use the therapeutic relationship as a power tool for change. As a supervisor, she is known for her ability to offer accurate and insightful feedback. Additionally, for the past several years, she has been working with her own personal coach to strengthen her own social impression. The impression management workshop has been developed based on these experiences.
Deanna Chrones, MA, LPC
Deanna Chrones is the creator of RELEASE, which has been studied by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and is about to be studied again by the entire University of Wisconsin system, through grant money that is 11 times larger than the first study, due to the large effect size of the treatment found in the pilot study. Deanna is a licensed professional counselor with a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, certified in hypnosis, and has seven years of experience in human services. Deanna was lead author on an article that was published in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling, entitled “The Eyes and Emotion Regulation: Helpful Tips for Counselors.” She is also about to be published in The Qualitative Report, in an article entitled "Infusing Military Culture in Multicultural Counseling Framework: A Phenomenological Study." Deanna presented “The Eyes and Emotion Regulation: Helpful Tips for Counselors” at the regional North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference in 2022. In 2023 she presented at the national conference of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, with a presentation entitled “The Neuroscience Behind Novel Eye-Movement Protocol: Results of Pilot Study.” In October of 2023, Deanna will present on the same topic at the national conference of the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.
Nona L Wilson, PhD, LCPC
Nona is a core faculty member in the clinical mental health counseling program at Northwestern, where she chairs the program’s psychodynamic committee and serves as lead for the program’s psychodynamic course. She has been a counselor educator for nearly 30 years, and has a private practice in Evanston, Il. She is interested in promoting psychodynamic training and practice among professional counselors.
Resources
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More resources coming soon.