This course focuses on the development of interviewing and counseling skills. Topics include:

• Ethics and Professional Responsibility
• Diversity
• Empathy and the Therapeutic Alliance
• Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning
• The Counseling Relationship
• Promoting Change
• Endings
• Varieties of Counseling Situations

The content of this continuing education program is adapted from Essential Interviewing and Counseling Skills: An Integrated Approach to Practice, chapters 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13. Used by permission of Springer Publishing Company, LLC.

Format: Asynchronous, reading-based distance learning. Non-interactive.

Note: This course is presented in a PDF format only.

NAADAC Online CE Completion limits: There is a limit of 8 hours (8 CE) of credit for online courses within a 24-hour period.

Click here to view our policy on Fees, Refunds, and Cancellations 

The course will be available in your account immediately after purchase. The Course Completion Certificate and Letter of Completion will be immediately available in your account upon successful completion of the course post-test (a score of 80% or higher) and completion of the course evaluation. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test.

Do you have questions about this course? Do you require accessibility accommodations? Please visit our FAQ page or Contact Us and we'll be happy to help.

American Psychological Association (APA)

At Health, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. At Health, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)

At Health, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6949. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. At Health, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

NAADAC – The Association for Addiction Professionals

Athealth.com is approved as a continuing education provider by the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Association for Addiction Professionals. #148460.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)

At Health, LLC, Provider #1707, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/3/2023–5/3/2026.

Page last modified or reviewed by athealth.com on Apr 19, 2026.

Tracy A. Prout, PhD, is assistant professor of psychology at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She is a licensed psychologist and has a clinical practice in New York City where she sees children, adolescents, and adults and provides psychological testing. Dr. Prout has a master's degree in mental health counseling. She has provided training on psychodynamic psychotherapy techniques and integrating spirituality into clinical practice for clinical professionals from many disciplines, including psychiatry residents, psychology interns, and practicing psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Her research focuses on psychotherapy process within psychodynamic treatment models and the role of religion and spirituality in mental health and recovery. Dr. Prout has published peer-reviewed articles on the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of those with mental illness and the role of spirituality in pedagogy. She is a former fellow of the American Psychoanalytic Association at the Ann Freud Centre in London, England and at the Yale University Child Study Center. Dr. Prout is the recipient of the Dennis J. Enright Award for Excellence in Teaching and grant fund from the Pscyoanalysis and the Academy Committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association.

Melanie J. Wadkins, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. She is on the faculty of the combines School-Clinical Child Psychology program and provides training to doctoral students in evidence-based interventions for youth and cognitive assessment. In addition, Dr. Wadkins is senior psychologist at the Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Research in White Plains, New York. She has expertise in psychoeducational assessment and consultation, as well as in treating individuals with anxiety and mood disorders. Dr. Wadkins's research focuses primarily on anxiety and related disorders. Specifically, she is interested in the basic emotion of disgust and its relationship to the maintenance and development of anxiety disorders, as well as the treatment of anxiety. Dr. Wadkins has presented her research at national and international conferences and her work has been published in a range of books and peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Wadkins is a faculty delegate of the National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology (NCSPP) on behalf of Ferkauf Graduate School. She is also an active member of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) where she serves on the Academic Training Committee.

To access and complete this course, your device must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Browser: A modern web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari — current or one version prior). Internet Explorer is not supported.
• JavaScript: JavaScript must be enabled in your browser settings to navigate lessons, take quizzes, and access course materials.
• PDF Viewer: A PDF viewer is required to open course handouts, transcripts, and certificates. Most browsers include a built-in PDF viewer; alternatively, Adobe Acrobat Reader (free) can be used.
• Cookies: Cookies must be enabled to maintain your login session and save your course progress.
• Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is required. Video and audio courses may require higher bandwidth for smooth playback.

If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our support team for assistance.