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Conceptualizing Effort as a Measure of Change

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CE Credits: 1 Credits
Length: 1 Hour
Level: Introductory
CE Eligibility: APA, ASWB ACE, ANCC, NAADAC, CPA, NYSED
Training Style: Video
Category: GIFR Membership Exclusive
Intended Audience: Mental Health, Correctional, and Legal Professionals

Training Description
This 1.5-hour presentation offers a novel approach to the assessment, measurement, and guidance of treatment engagement for a population of Severely Mentally Ill (SMI) patients. Based on the economic “Theory of Constraints” model, the current model seeks to maximize treatment engagement by limiting the impact of behavioral constraints (i.e., any behavior that prevents treatment engagement). Under the current model, effort is conceptualized to be any behavior that overcomes a constraint and something that is internally driven. In this way, our understanding of behavioral change within individuals who do not, or cannot, engage in treatment, becomes fundamentally different as the focus of treatment is placed on effort rather than outcome.
Trainer Biography
Dr. Herschel (Hank) Ebner is a licensed psychologist who works with patients who have been civilly committed after being found Not Guilty By Reason of Mental Disease or Defect (NGRI; Wisconsin State Statute 971). Dr. Ebner earned his Doctorate of Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2017 where he received a scholarship in Neuropsychology. Prior to his work with patients found NGRI, Dr. Ebner completed his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology through Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC) and Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI)’s combined training program, where he worked with populations of court-ordered and legally-based juvenile and adult psychiatric consumers, completed pretrial Competency to Stand Trial evaluations, evaluations of violence risk and sexual dangerousness, and treatment of individuals deemed incompetent to competent by the court system.
Dr. Ebner’s interests in prediction, and factors that influence motivation, are longstanding, and highlighted by his time at the University of Iowa where he also earned degrees in Economics and Psychology.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to…
    • Discuss the utility of “effort” as a measure of behavioral change.
    • Identify treatment barriers as constraints preventing a given outcome.
    • Identify treatment outcomes as a function of effort.
    • Identify methodology used to develop SRSTC’s treatment engagement token economy.

1 Sponsorship: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc is approved by the American Psychological Association, National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors, and Canadian Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education trainings. Global Institute of Forensic Research (GIFR) has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education provider, ACEP No. 6711. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. GIFR is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The American Nurses Credentialing Center accepts Continuing Education Credit sponsored by the American Psychological Association. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc (provider #1371) is also approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ACE provider approval period: 6/8/2022-6/8/2025. Social workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
2 Refund/Cancellation Policy: If you wish to request a refund on account of technical difficulties, please contact [email protected].
3 Commercial Supports: The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc reports no conflicts of interest in the development and sponsorship of this training. The Global Institute of Forensic Research, Inc receives no commercial support for its Continuing Education programs or from its presenters.

Note 1: The CPA's approval of an individual, group, or organization as a CE Sponsor or Provider is restricted to the activities described in the approved application or annual report form. The CPA's approval does not extend to any other CE activity the Sponsor or Provider might offer. In granting its approval, the CPA assumes no legal or financial obligations to Sponsors, Providers, or to those individuals who might participate in a Sponsor or Provider's CE activities or programs. Further, responsibility for the content, provision, and delivery of any CE activity approved by the CPA remains that of the CE Sponsor or Provider. The CPA disclaims all legal liability associated with the content, provision, and delivery of the approved CE activity.

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