Free Training Opportunity for Licensed Therapists and Counselors

Alliance Health is pleased to offer a FREE 8‑week virtual training program designed specifically for licensed therapists and counselors. Provided in partnership with the National Center for START Services (NC START), this course provides foundational knowledge and guiding frameworks to help clinicians and therapists support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in their practice.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Better understand IDD and mental health.
• Recognize and respond to common mental health concerns.
• Support autonomy, self-determination, and wellbeing.
• Navigate ethical and clinical decision-making.
• Adapt evidence-based therapies for people with IDD.
• Apply trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based practices.
• Improve therapeutic outcomes and quality of life for people with IDD.

Training Schedule

• Dates: September 2, 2026 – October 21, 2026
• Day/Time: Wednesdays, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
• Format: Virtual (live sessions)

Eligibility

Participants must:

• Be currently employed with an Alliance Health–contracted agency
• Serve as a licensed Therapist or Counselor role working with members diagnosed with IDD, TBI, and/or dual IDD/MH

Registration Instructions

To register, the participant must email the following required information to dsptraining@alliancehealthplan.org and copy the manager/supervisor:

• Participant name:
• Participant email address:
• Participant phone number:
• Place of employment:
• Office address:
• Office phone number:
• Manager’s name:
• Manager’s email address:
• Employer Tax ID:
• DocuSign designee name (Agency staff legally allowed to sign contracts):
• DocuSign designee email address:

*Incomplete registrations will not be processed.

Important Registration Notes

• Registration Deadline: Friday, August 21 (end of day)
• Registration is first come, first served for fully completed submissions
• Staff who complete the full training and all program requirements—including receipt of a certificate or letter of completion—will be eligible for a $185 incentive.
• Hospital therapists and counselors as well as EORs that are licensed clinical staff may register and attend this training at no cost; however, due to contracting protocols, they are not eligible to receive the incentive.
• Incomplete or unverifiable information may result in denial of participation or forfeiture of the incentive
• Participants must complete all required surveys (pre-training, session, and post-training surveys) to receive a certificate of completion

Please monitor your email regularly, as you should receive a confirmation email within 48 hours verifying your registration, and additional information or clarification may be required.

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your team and enhance the support provided to Alliance Health members!