Programs
Counseling Emphasis
Counseling Professionals
Continuing Education in Three Emphasis Areas
NNU’s Counseling educators offer continuing education for professional counselors via our Professional Development office. Learn more techniques and theory in the areas of Trauma, Grief and Crisis Therapy, Acceptance and Mindfulness Informed Therapies and Play Therapy.


Trauma, Grief, and Crisis
The Trauma, Grief and Crisis specialization prepares students with more clinical depth in the capacity to counsel individuals through trauma, complicated bereavement and crisis. Student outcomes include gaining assessment and intervention skills to assist clients in working through the theory and practice of trauma counseling, complicated bereavement and understanding models of crisis training and intervention. PTSD, mass disaster, sexual assault, domestic violence, mental illness and suicide prevention are addressed in the coursework.

Acceptance and Mindfulness
This emphasis area prepares students to use acceptance and mindfulness approaches in clinical practice. The therapies explored in this emphasis area include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and other third-wave behavioral treatments.

Play Therapy
This emphasis area provides part of the coursework needed to become a credentialed Play Therapist. In order to satisfy its mission to promote the value of play, play therapy and credentialed play therapists, the Association of Play Therapy (APT) wishes to increase the availability of play therapy instruction at colleges and universities. Coursework includes essential elements and principles of play therapy, including history, theories, modalities, techniques, applications and skills. Experiential components focus on basic play therapy skill development within the context of ethical and diversity-sensitive practice.
Students who qualify for and desire accommodations in these courses due to a disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, must follow the NNU Disability Services Policies and Procedures as put forth by the Office of Disability Services. Any student may review a copy of these policies and procedures at casa.nnu.edu/disability-services. Call 208.467.8463 or email disabilityservices@nnu.edu for further information.
Beyond Professional Development
More than just continuing education for counselors, NNU offers Master’s and Doctoral Degrees in Behavioral Sciences. Explore your options below!

