Top Continuing Education Courses for School Counselors and Mental Health Professionals

Working as a school counselor or mental health professional means constantly navigating shifting landscapes—emotionally, culturally, and systemically. You’re supporting students through trauma, identity development, academic pressures, and mental health challenges, all while collaborating with families, teachers, and administrators. It’s deeply rewarding work, but it’s also demanding—and staying effective means staying informed.

Continuing education isn’t just a checkbox for maintaining licensure; it’s a chance to grow, reset, and reconnect with the heart of your practice. The right courses can reignite your motivation, introduce practical tools for real-world challenges, and help you better support the students and communities who count on you. Whether you’re a veteran in the field or just a few years in, targeted learning makes a huge difference.

In this guide, we’re highlighting the Top Continuing Education Courses for School Counselors and Mental Health Professionals—including powerful, relevant options from Agents of Change Continuing Education, a trusted provider with over 150 ASWB and NBCC-approved courses. From supporting LGBTQI+ youth to navigating school avoidance and building inclusive environments, these courses offer more than knowledge—they offer real transformation.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education offers Unlimited Access to 150+ ASWB and NBCC-approved CE courses for one low annual fee to meet your state’s requirements for Continuing Education credits and level up your career.

We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 free CEUs.

1) Why Continuing Education Matters Now More Than Ever

The world inside schools has changed—and fast. The challenges students face today are more complex, more visible, and more urgent than ever before. As a school counselor, Social Worker, or mental health professional, you’re expected to keep up with all of it. That’s where continuing education becomes not just helpful, but essential.

Staying Aligned with Emerging Student Needs

Students aren’t the same as they were five years ago. They’re growing up in an era of unprecedented digital exposure, political polarization, climate anxiety, and identity exploration. Mental health issues are rising, and so are students’ needs for culturally competent, emotionally attuned support.

Continuing education helps you:

Stay informed about current mental health trends and diagnoses
Develop trauma-responsive strategies that actually resonate
Understand how identity, culture, and systemic issues affect student behavior

Navigating Systemic Changes in Education

Education systems are shifting, too. Policies change. Resources fluctuate. And professionals are often left trying to figure out how to operate within the system and push it toward equity.

Relevant courses give you tools to:

Advocate effectively within IEP and 504 processes
Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
Understand your scope of practice within evolving school mental health frameworks

Preventing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Let’s be honest—this work takes a toll. When you’re emotionally invested every day, burnout can sneak up quickly. Continuing education isn’t just about gaining knowledge. It’s also a chance to pause, reflect, and refuel.

High-quality CE courses can help you:

Rediscover purpose in your role
Learn boundary-setting strategies that actually stick
Reconnect with your professional values and motivation

Meeting Licensing and Ethical Requirements

Sure, there’s the legal side of it too. Most states require a certain number of continuing education hours to keep your license active. But ethical standards go beyond compliance. They ask that we keep growing—because our clients deserve our best.

With platforms like Agents of Change Continuing Education, you can:

Choose from 150+ approved CE courses tailored for school-based work
Attend live events to meet interactive learning requirements
Track your progress and stay ahead of renewal deadlines

Building a More Inclusive and Equitable Practice

The students walking into your office come from every background imaginable. To truly support them, your skills have to evolve with your awareness.

Continuing education helps you:

Unlearn biases and rethink outdated frameworks
Develop inclusive strategies for neurodivergent, LGBTQI+, and BIPOC students
Learn how to challenge systems that create barriers for the students who need support most

Learn more about Agents of Change Continuing Education. We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with their continuing education, and we want you to be next!

2) Top Continuing Education Courses for School Counselors and Mental Health Professionals

When it comes to choosing CE courses, relevance is everything. You want practical tools, real-world strategies, and content that speaks directly to the challenges you face in your role. That’s exactly what makes the following courses from Agents of Change Continuing Education so valuable.

Each course is ASWB and NBCC-approved, self-paced, and packed with insight you can actually use—plus, they host live CE events throughout the year for professionals who prefer an interactive format.

Here are some of the top continuing education courses for school counselors and mental health professionals that are worth your time and attention:

🏳️‍🌈 Supporting and Affirming LGBTQI+ Youth

This course is a must for anyone working with LGBTQI+ students. It moves beyond outdated models and offers affirming, ethical, evidence-informed approaches to support youth exploring gender identity and sexual orientation.

You’ll learn how to:

Create safer, more inclusive school environments
Recognize and respond to harmful “change” efforts
Provide trauma-informed, identity-affirming care

🏡 Powerful Home-School Partnerships

Effective mental health support doesn’t stop at the school gate. This course gives you concrete strategies for working with families as partners in a student’s growth and well-being.

Topics include:

Cultural humility and trust-building with caregivers
Family systems theory in school settings
How to manage misalignment between home and school expectations

🎯 Unpacking Perfectionism

Perfectionism often hides behind “success,” but it can be a heavy burden. This course explores how perfectionistic traits affect students’ emotional health and academic engagement.

Key takeaways:

Signs of maladaptive perfectionism in youth
Interventions that help build resilience and self-compassion
Strategies for use in both individual and group settings

🧭 Role of School Mental Health Professionals Within School Mental Health Systems

This course helps you understand your specific responsibilities within complex school systems, clarifying expectations and strengthening your impact.

You’ll gain insight on:

Defining your role as a Counselor, Social Worker, or clinician
Navigating school-wide mental health initiatives
Collaborating with stakeholders while protecting your professional scope

🚪 School Avoidance and Refusal

Chronic absenteeism and refusal to attend school are growing concerns. This course offers a trauma-informed approach to understanding the “why” behind the behavior—and how to help.

What you’ll explore:

Differentiating between refusal, avoidance, and truancy
Family engagement strategies
Multidisciplinary response planning

📚 Special Education Social Work and Mental Health

For professionals working with students who receive special education services, this course offers essential tools to navigate IEPs, advocate effectively, and support mental health within legal and ethical frameworks.

Covered topics include:

Role clarity within the special education team
Mental health supports aligned with educational goals
Promoting inclusion and access

🧠 Supporting Diverse Brains

Neurodiversity is more than a buzzword—it’s a shift in how we view learning and behavior. This course teaches you how to support students with ADHD, Autism, and other brain-based differences with dignity and creativity.

Expect to learn:

Strength-based approaches to executive functioning challenges
Sensory-aware interventions
Classroom collaboration strategies that promote inclusion

👶 Child Welfare

Child welfare intersects with schools more than many realize. This course helps you recognize signs of abuse or neglect, understand reporting laws, and build supportive relationships with involved students and families.

This course will help you:

Identify and respond to child welfare concerns
Navigate the ethical complexities of reporting
Partner with child protective services without losing trust

🎨 The Art of Group Therapy with Kids

Group work can be transformative—but only when it’s done well. This course explores how to design, facilitate, and evaluate effective therapeutic groups for children in school settings.

Highlights include:

Planning sessions with clear developmental goals
Managing group dynamics and emotional safety
Using creativity, play, and storytelling to promote healing

These courses were designed with the real-world experiences of school mental health professionals in mind. They’re insightful, practical, and, most importantly, grounded in compassion and evidence-based practice.

When you’re ready to take your learning further, Agents of Change Continuing Education has over 150 courses waiting—plus live learning opportunities offered throughout the year, so you can stay engaged, current, and connected.

We’ve helped tens of thousands of Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals with Continuing Education, learn more here about Agents of Change and claim your 5 free CEUs!

3) Benefits of Live vs. On-Demand CE Events

When it comes to continuing education, one size definitely doesn’t fit all. Some professionals thrive in real-time discussions, while others prefer the flexibility to learn at their own pace. The good news? Platforms like Agents of Change Continuing Education offer both live CE events and a huge catalog of on-demand courses—so you can choose the format that fits your style, schedule, and goals.

Here’s a breakdown of the benefits each format offers:

🎥 On-Demand CE Courses: Flexible, Focused, and Self-Paced

For busy school counselors and mental health professionals juggling packed schedules and unpredictable school days, on-demand courses are a lifesaver. You can start and stop at your own pace, revisit materials, and complete sessions when it actually works for you.

Key benefits of on-demand learning:

Learn on your own schedule – No need to log in at a specific time
Pause and rewind – Rewatch complex concepts or take breaks without missing anything
Pick from 150+ course options – With Agents of Change Continuing Education, you get a huge library of CE content at your fingertips
Perfect for night owls or early birds – Study when you’re most alert and focused
Ideal for introverts – No pressure to engage in group dialogue if that’s not your thing

It’s the ultimate in convenience, especially when your workday is unpredictable and emotionally draining.

🗓️ Live CE Events: Interactive, Timely, and Community-Oriented

There’s something powerful about being in a virtual “room” with other professionals who get it. Live CE events offer real-time interaction, fresh perspectives, and that human connection we often miss in asynchronous learning.

Why live sessions might be the right choice:

Engage in real-time Q&A – Ask questions and get feedback directly from instructors
Earn synchronous CE credits – Many boards require a portion of hours to be live or interactive
Get the latest insights – Topics are often current, aligned with new trends or urgent needs
Feel less isolated – Connect with peers in the field, even if only for a few hours
Sharpen your focus – Scheduled events can help you block off time and stay accountable

Agents of Change Continuing Education offers live trainings throughout the year—so you can plan ahead or jump into timely events that match what’s happening in your schools right now.

Which Format Is Right for You?

Honestly? There’s no wrong answer. Many professionals use a mix of both—on-demand courses for core knowledge and flexibility, and live events for connection, engagement, and up-to-the-minute learning.

Consider your needs:

Tight on time? Go on-demand.
Craving discussion? Try a live event.
Need both flexibility and credit variety? Mix and match.

With so many options available through trusted providers like Agents of Change Continuing Education, you can build a CE path that works with your real life—not against it.

4) What to Look for in an Accredited CE Provider

Let’s be real—continuing education isn’t just about checking off hours. It’s about investing your time (and money) into something that actually helps you grow. But not all CE providers are created equal. Choosing the right one makes a big difference in how much you gain from the experience—and how easily you meet licensing requirements.

So, what should you actually look for in a continuing education provider? Here’s what matters most.

✅ Verified Accreditation and Board Approval

First things first: your CE provider must be accredited by the organizations that license and regulate your profession. Without proper approval, your time and money could go to waste.

Make sure your CE provider is approved by:

ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) – For licensed Social Workers
NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors) – For school counselors and mental health professionals
State licensing boards – Requirements can vary, so check your local regulations

A solid provider like Agents of Change Continuing Education clearly displays their approvals and meets standards across multiple states and professional boards.

📚 Courses That Are Relevant, Timely, and Evidence-Based

Accreditation is the baseline—but quality is what really sets a CE provider apart. Look for content that’s practical, updated regularly, and rooted in real research, not outdated theories.

Quality CE courses should:

Address current issues (think: trauma, DEI, school avoidance)
Be created and led by experienced clinicians and educators
Include resources you can actually use—handouts, case examples, frameworks
Speak directly to your setting (schools, child welfare, community mental health, etc.)

Agents of Change Continuing Education stands out in this area, offering over 150 courses designed for professionals who work with youth and families in real-world environments.

🧩 Diverse Course Formats and Topics

Your learning style, interests, and schedule might shift over time—so flexibility matters. A strong CE provider offers both variety in topics and options in how you learn, so you’re not stuck with a rigid format or one-size-fits-all content.

Look for:

Both on-demand and live course options
A mix of core clinical topics and specialized content (like perfectionism, LGBTQI+ support, or special education)
Tools to track your CE hours and certificates

With Agents of Change Continuing Education, you can learn on your own schedule or attend live trainings throughout the year—giving you full control over how and when you complete your CE.

🧾 Transparent Pricing and Easy Access

You shouldn’t have to dig through fine print to understand what you’re paying for. Trustworthy CE providers are clear about costs, course access, and certificate availability.

What to check for:

Are prices listed up front?
Do you get lifetime access, or is there a time limit?
How soon after completion can you download your CE certificate?

Providers like Agents of Change Continuing Education are upfront and user-friendly, with no hidden fees or frustrating delays.

💬 Real Feedback and Support

And finally, don’t overlook customer experience. Can you get help if something goes wrong? Do other professionals actually recommend the platform?

A good CE provider will offer:

Responsive customer support (via email or chat)
Positive reviews from Social Workers, counselors, and therapists
Clear instructions and an intuitive user interface

Bonus points if the provider feels like a true partner in your growth—not just a CE factory.

Choosing an accredited CE provider shouldn’t feel like a gamble. With a trusted platform like Agents of Change Continuing Education, you get not just compliance—but clarity, community, and content that actually moves the needle in your professional life.

5) FAQs – Top Continuing Education Courses for School Counselors

Q: How do I know if a continuing education course will count toward my license renewal?

A: Great question—because not all CE courses are automatically accepted by every licensing board. The safest route is to choose courses from providers that are approved by your specific board. If you’re a School Counselor, Mental Health Professional, or Social Worker, you’ll want to look for NBCC- or ASWB-approved providers, as those are widely accepted across states.

That’s one reason Agents of Change Continuing Education is so trusted—they’re approved by both ASWB and NBCC, which means their courses meet the requirements for most professional licenses. Still, it’s a good idea to check your state board’s CE policies just to be sure, especially if you’re licensed in multiple states or hold a dual license.

Q: What’s the difference between “live” and “on-demand” CE hours—and do I need both?

A: “Live” CE hours refer to courses that happen in real-time (think webinars or virtual workshops). These are often considered synchronous learning, where you can interact with instructors, ask questions, and engage with others. Some states require a certain number of your CE hours to be completed this way.

“On-demand” or asynchronous courses are pre-recorded and available anytime. You can take them at your own pace—pause, rewind, revisit—whenever it fits your schedule.

Platforms like Agents of Change Continuing Education offer both. So whether you need live credits to meet a specific state requirement or prefer the flexibility of on-demand, you’re covered. It’s all about choosing what fits your license and your lifestyle.

Q: How often should I complete continuing education courses, and how many hours do I need?

A: It depends on your license type and the state where you’re practicing. Most boards require you to renew your license every 1 to 2 years, with somewhere between 20 and 40 CE hours required per cycle. Some states may also mandate CE in specific topics—like ethics, cultural competence, or suicide prevention.

That said, it’s smart not to leave it to the last minute. Spacing out your learning over the year gives you more time to absorb the content and choose courses that genuinely support your work. With providers like Agents of Change Continuing Education, you can track your progress, store your certificates, and easily stay on top of renewal requirements.

6) Conclusion

Continuing education isn’t just about staying licensed—it’s about staying effective, connected, and aligned with the evolving needs of your students and your profession. In a field that demands so much emotionally, ethically, and intellectually, taking the time to invest in high-quality CE isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. The right course at the right time can change the way you show up for your students, your colleagues, and yourself.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your knowledge in areas like LGBTQI+ youth support, neurodiversity, group therapy, or child welfare, there are more options than ever to help you grow. Platforms like Agents of Change Continuing Education make that process smoother with on-demand flexibility, live event options, and a robust catalog of over 150 approved courses tailored to real-life school and clinical settings. Their focus on practical, evidence-based content ensures you’re not just learning—you’re learning what matters.

At the end of the day, the students you serve are navigating an increasingly complex world. They need informed, grounded, and compassionate professionals in their corner. Continuing education gives you the tools to keep showing up as that person. So whether you’re chasing CE hours or chasing growth—choose courses that truly support the work you’re here to do.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

► Learn more about the Agents of Change Continuing Education here: https://agentsofchangetraining.com

About the Instructor, Meagan Mitchell: Meagan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing Continuing Education for Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals for more than 8 years. From all of this experience helping others, she created Agents of Change Continuing Education to help Social Workers, Counselors, and Mental Health Professionals stay up-to-date on the latest trends, research, and techniques.

#socialwork #socialworker #socialwork #socialworklicense #socialworklicensing #continuinged #continuingeducation #ce #socialworkce #freecesocialwork #lmsw #lcsw #counselor #NBCC #ASWB #ACE

Disclaimer: This content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or clinical advice, diagnosis, or treatment