Overview:
The Adverse Childhood Experiences survey (ACEs) has become a standard part of the intake process for many behavioral health clinicians. It’s been with us for 25+ years, and 10+ States have mandated its use for Medicaid.
Despite wide acceptance and obvious clinical utility, this workshop suggests that the ACEs Survey – especially used as a stand-alone document – has several major drawbacks, and one serious flaw for clinical assessment.
While the ACEs survey has been invaluable, relying solely on it can inadvertently overlook the complex layers of resilience that your clients possess. The focus on adverse experiences might inadvertently obscure the strengths and survival skills they’ve developed along the way. As mental health professionals, we need to evolve our assessment tools to capture both trauma and resilience, providing a more balanced and empowering narrative for our clients.
This training offers you a refined approach to using the ACEs survey, ensuring it not only identifies trauma but also highlights resilience. We’ll present an adapted version of the survey that addresses its major drawbacks and aligns more closely with your clients’ psychosocial growth.
By integrating these insights into your practice, you’ll help your clients transition from merely surviving to truly thriving.
Objectives:
- Describe 3 limitations of the ACE survey in its original form;
- Explain 2 modifications to emphasize psychosocial development and the resilience developed as a result of developmental trauma; and
- Be able to use both revised forms in their practice with reproducible handouts provided
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Michael G. Bricker, CADC-II, NCAC-2, LPC
Mike Bricker MS, CADC-II, NCAC-2, LPC, is a consultant on “dual recovery” from substance use and mental disorders through the STEMSS Institute and specializes in blending Western research-based treatment with other Wisdom Traditions. Mike is also a Behavioral Health Clinician for LifeStance Behavioral Health in Eugene, Oregon, and specializes in providing trauma-responsive care for complex trauma, chronic pain, and Medication- Assisted Treatment. He has educated and trained Counselors in Alaska, Oregon & the Navajo Nation. Mike is a seasoned trainer who presents regularly at national conferences, an invited reviewer for SAMHSA grants. He has been a clinician, consultant and teacher for over 40 years.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |