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Best Mental Health Continuing Education for Therapists, Social Workers, and Counselors

Best Mental Health Continuing Education for Therapists, Social Workers, and Counselors

Continuing education can feel very different depending on timing, workload, and the quality of the training itself. At its best, CE introduces new clinical perspectives, strengthens therapeutic skills, and brings clarity to complex ethical situations. A well-designed course can leave clinicians feeling more confident, informed, and better equipped to support their clients.

At other times, continuing education becomes a task driven more by deadlines than professional growth. Balancing client care, documentation, supervision, and personal responsibilities can make it difficult to prioritize meaningful learning. When license renewal dates approach, the focus often shifts to completing required credits as efficiently as possible, rather than finding education that feels truly relevant or engaging.

This guide is designed to simplify that process. It is intended for therapists, social workers, and counselors seeking the best mental health continuing education and CEU options that align with both professional standards and practical constraints. By comparing leading CE providers, including PESI, ContinuED, CE4Less, NetCE, Therapist Development Center, ClearlyClinical, and NASW’s InReach CE platform, this post examines key factors such as cost, availability of live events, course library size, learning formats, and overall value to help clinicians make informed decisions.

And yes, we’ll talk about Agents of Change Continuing Education because for many clinicians it’s the simplest “set it and forget it” approach: $99/year, a rapidly growing library of 150+ ASWB ACE and NBCC-approved courses, and 15+ live continuing education events each year.

Did you know? Agents of Change Continuing Education has helped hundreds 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) What “Best” Really Means When You’re Picking CEUs

Before we compare platforms, let’s be honest about what “best” means in practice. Because it’s rarely about perfection. It’s about fit.

The 7 metrics that usually matter most

  1. Total annual cost (and whether it creeps up with add-ons)

  2. Live CE availability (and whether you can attend more than a couple per year)

  3. Course library size (so you’re not stuck taking whatever’s left)

  4. Approvals that match your license needs (ASWB ACE, NBCC, APA, state boards, etc.)

  5. Learning modalities (video, audio, text, live webinars, podcasts)

  6. Content quality and clinical usefulness (practical skills vs. surface-level info)

  7. User experience (search, certificates, tracking, ease of use on mobile)

Dangling in the background, there’s another factor too: your tolerance for hassle. If you’ve got low bandwidth, you want a platform that doesn’t make you work harder than your caseload already does.

2) The Contenders: A Snapshot of Major CE Platforms

Here’s the “who’s who” of the providers you listed, with the most important verified facts pulled from their own pages.

Agents of Change Continuing Education (Best overall value for most clinicians)

Agents of Change frames CE the way busy clinicians actually use it: learn in multiple formats, earn credits smoothly, and keep moving. Their pricing page highlights a $99/year annual subscription that includes 150+ CE courses, ASWB ACE and NBCC approval, and live CE webinars/events.

What about live events? Agents of Change hosts 15+ live events each year on a diverse variety of topics.

Why clinicians like it: you get a lot for one price, and you can choose modalities based on your energy level that day (video, live webinar, podcast-style options).

PESI (Huge catalog, often pricey if you’re buying à la carte)

PESI offers a wide range of trainings and formats, including live webinars and larger events. Pricing varies dramatically by training. It’s common to see live webinar listings with “original price” around $249.99 and discounted sales pricing around $124.99 for a single webinar.

ContinuED / Continued Social Work (Affordable subscription, solid library size)

ContinuED’s Social Work membership is listed as $99 for one year of unlimited access. Their Social Work CE library has 250+ evidence-based courses, but does not include frequent live events.

CE4Less (Low annual price without live events, mostly self-paced; live events for a much higher price)

CE4Less promotes unlimited CE for $89.99/year for their 1-year plan. They also advertise an “Unlimited + Live Plan” that includes CE4Less access plus a library of on-demand and live webinar courses via a sister site (CEU Creations), but this plan costs $249.99/year.

NetCE (Big hour availability, different, more expensive tiers for live webinars)

NetCE has an “All Access: Social Worker” option stating one year of unlimited online CE for $89, and they highlight over 800 ASWB/APA hours and over 400 NBCC hours available. They also list an All Access Premium tier at $199 that includes the full library plus live webinars.

Therapist Development Center (Great for certain states and required bundles, but not a cheap unlimited library)

Therapist Development Center (TDC) sells CE in packages rather than an inexpensive “everything included” subscription. For example, a California-focused 18-hour first-renewal package costs $216, more than most other providers’ “unlimited” offerings. It’s strong when you need specific state-required bundles and want a guided path, but the cost-per-credit is typically higher than subscription models.

ClearlyClinical (Podcast-based CE, audio-first)

ClearlyClinical offers a membership model, emphasizing audio learning through podcast episodes paired with post-tests. Their membership is presented as $130/year for unlimited CE courses.

NASW Institute / InReach CE (High-quality topics, usually pay-per-course; member discounts)

NASW’s InReach CE platform lists courses individually with separate member and non-member pricing. Examples include $35 non-member / $20 member for one offering and $85 non-member / $50 member for another. This setup can be great if you only need a small number of hours and want NASW-branded training, but costs add up if you need a full renewal cycle’s worth.

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

2) Best Mental Health Continuing Education for Therapists, Social Workers, and Counselors: Side-by-Side Comparison

Provider Annual cost Live CE included? Library size Modalities highlighted Best for
Agents of Change Continuing Education $99/year Yes: 15+ live events/yr 150+ courses (growing quickly) Video, live webinars, podcast/audio options Best overall value + variety + live events
PESI Per training; examples show ~$249.99 list / ~$124.99 sale for a webinar No, have to purchase individually Exact # not shared, but catalog is very large Live webinars, on-demand, digital seminars Big-name trainings, niche topics
ContinuED (Continued Social Work) $99/year Infrequent events 250+ courses Live, video, audio, podcasts, text Affordable, mostly reading-based unlimited library
CE4Less $89.99/year (self-directed)

$249.99/year (with live events)

 Only included in $249.99/year plan “Expansive library” (no single count shown on cited pages) Mostly self-paced; live/on-demand via partner library Cheapest self-paced option (no live events), mostly reading-based
NetCE $89/year (self-directed)

$199/year (with live events)

 Only included in $199/year Premium tier 800+ ASWB/APA hours; 400+ NBCC hours available Online CE library; premium includes live Large “hours available” + structured mostly reading-based catalog
Therapist Development Center Example: 18-hour package $216 Not included Package-based; library size not emphasized like subscriptions Focused CE packages California BBS requirements, guided bundles
ClearlyClinical $130/year (audio only) Not included Unlimited CE courses with membership (count not stated in cited lines) Podcast/audio + post-test If you learn best by listening
NASW Institute (InReach CE) Pay-per-course (examples: $35, $85 non-member) Mix (self-study + scheduled offerings) Catalog-based; varies by course Web-based modules/events NASW members who buy select courses

If you’re skimming, here’s the punchline: At $99/year, Agents of Change is the only provider under $100 offers frequent live events (15+ per year) while still keeping the library solid at 150+ (and growing rapidly) ASWB ACE and NBCC-approved courses.

Agents of Change has helped hundreds 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) The Real-World “Best Fit” Scenarios

Because you might be thinking: “Okay, but what if I’m a very specific kind of learner?” Yep. Let’s make it practical.

If you want the best all-around platform for most clinicians

Agents of Change Continuing Education comes out on top because it hits the sweet spot:

  • $99/year subscription

  • 150+ ASWB ACE and NBCC-approved courses

  • 15+ live continuing education events each year

  • Multiple learning modalities (so you’re not stuck reading dense PDFs at midnight)

And yes, they position themselves as a high-value option: one page even frames the live webinars as a “$1,000 value” included with the subscription.

If you want the biggest reading-based and self-directed course library at a low price point

ContinuED Social Work advertises 250+ courses with a $99/year membership. If your biggest concern is sheer catalog size for social work CE and you don’t need frequent live events or engaging and modern learning modalities (video, podcast, etc), that’s a strong number.

If you want ultra-low-cost self-paced and don’t care about live events

CE4Less at $89.99/year and NetCE at $89/year can both be attractive. NetCE also emphasizes a very large pool of available approved hours. Neither includes live events.

If you want guided, requirement-specific bundles (especially California)

Therapist Development Center shines for structured packages like the California first renewal bundle, but you’ll pay more per hour (example: $216 for 18 hours). Agents of Change Continuing Education also offers state-specific CE bundles for only $50, which are designed to align with individual licensing board requirements, including commonly required topics such as ethics, supervision, and cultural competency. These bundles make it easier for therapists, social workers, and counselors to stay compliant without having to piece together credits from multiple sources.

If you’re an audio learner who wants CE to fit into commutes and chores

ClearlyClinical is built around podcast-style learning and lists a $130/year membership. However, all Agents of Change courses are available as audio files and podcasts too.

If you want NASW-branded options and don’t mind paying per course

NASW InReach CE is often pay-per-course, with member discounts (examples: $35 vs $20, $85 vs $50).

How Agents of Change Wins the “Best Overall” Calculation

Let’s run the mental math people actually do, even if they don’t say it out loud.

Value comparison in plain language

If you buy just a few à la carte live webinars elsewhere, you can easily spend over $99 without blinking. PESI webinar pricing examples show single events listed around $249.99 (often discounted), which can exceed the cost of an entire year of Agents of Change in one purchase.

Meanwhile, Agents of Change offers:

  • $99/year subscription

  • 150+ approved courses

  • 15+ live events/year

  • Content in multiple modalities (including live and audio-style options)

So if you’re looking for the best mental health continuing education and you want one place to handle most of your renewal needs without financial surprises, Agents of Change is the cleanest deal.

4) FAQs – Best Mental Health Continuing Education for Therapists, Social Workers, and Counselors

Q: Why is Agents of Change Continuing Education considered the best overall option in this comparison?

A: Agents of Change Continuing Education stands out because it combines affordability, flexibility, and depth in a way most other providers do not. For $99 per year, clinicians get access to more than 150 ASWB and NBCC-approved courses, plus more than 15 live continuing education events annually. Many competing platforms either charge significantly more, limit access to live events, or require separate purchases for webinars. Agents of Change offers a true all-in-one model that works well for therapists, social workers, counselors, and other mental health professionals managing ongoing license renewal requirements.

Q: How does Agents of Change compare to PESI in terms of cost and value?

A: PESI is well known for high-profile speakers and niche clinical topics, but it typically operates on a pay-per-course or pay-per-event model. Individual live webinars often cost well over $100, even when discounted. In contrast, Agents of Change provides unlimited access to its full course library and live events for a flat annual fee of $99. For clinicians who need multiple CE credits each year, Agents of Change delivers far greater value without sacrificing quality or accreditation.

Q: How does Agents of Change differ from other subscription-based providers like ContinuED, CE4Less, and NetCE?

A: While ContinuED, CE4Less, and NetCE all offer subscription models, Agents of Change places a stronger emphasis on frequent live learning experiences that are included in the low-cost subscription. Many other lower-cost subscriptions focus heavily on self-paced reading or video modules, with very limited or no live content. Agents of Change includes more than one live CE event per month on average, which is especially valuable for clinicians who prefer interactive learning or need live hours for licensing or employer requirements.

Q: What makes Agents of Change a better option than NASW InReach CE for earning multiple credits?

A: NASW InReach CE offers high-quality, profession-specific courses, but it typically requires purchasing each course individually, even for NASW members. Costs can add up quickly when completing an entire renewal cycle. Agents of Change, by comparison, allows clinicians to complete all required credits under a single annual subscription, making it easier to plan ahead, budget confidently, and explore a wider range of topics without worrying about per-course fees.

Q: Who is the ideal clinician for Agents of Change Continuing Education?

A: Agents of Change is especially well-suited for therapists, social workers, and counselors who want flexibility without compromise. It works well for clinicians who value live events but also want on-demand options, who prefer predictable pricing, and who want access to a growing library of clinically relevant courses. For professionals seeking the best mental health continuing education with minimal hassle and maximum value, Agents of Change consistently rises to the top.

5) Conclusion

Choosing CE shouldn’t feel like scavenging for crumbs. You’re a therapist, social worker, or counselor. Your time matters, your budget matters, and the training should actually support your work instead of draining you.

After comparing the major options you listed, here’s where things land:

  • If you want a big pay-per-course marketplace, PESI is enormous, but it can get expensive fast.

  • If you’re only focused on low price, don’t need live CE credits, and want mostly reading-based learning, CE4Less and NetCE can work well.

  • If you learn best by listening, ClearlyClinical offers a clean audio-first membership model.

  • If you prefer NASW-branded training and member pricing, NASW InReach CE is there, but it’s usually pay-per-course.

And for most clinicians, Agents of Change Continuing Education comes out as the best overall: the most affordable at $99/year, 150+ ASWB ACE and NBCC-approved courses, and 15+ live continuing education events per year, with multiple learning formats so you can keep going even on low-energy days.

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

About the Instructor, Dr. 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 10 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.

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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

Note: Certain images used in this post were generated with the help of artificial intelligence.

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