Free Mental Health Training Opportunities for Therapists and Clinicians in Minnesota

We are excited to offer an upcoming professional development training for mental health practitioners, trainees, and helping professionals in Minnesota. This training is designed for therapists, clinical interns, and pre-licensed mental health providers who want to deepen their skills in a supportive, inclusive, and practice-grounded learning environment.

The Intersection of trauma and substance use: an introduction

by Rachel Ans (she/her), MA, LPCC, LADC

About this mental health training

This training provides an orientation to the intersection of trauma and substance use across the lifespan. It is designed to support mental health professionals in building practical, thoughtful approaches they can use immediately in their clinical work. 

Who is this training for

This training is open to:

• Licensed mental health professionals

• Pre-licensed clinicians

• Graduate students and clinical trainees

• Supervisors, educators, and mental health leaders

What you will learn

Participants will:

• Learn how to differentiate between the definitions of trauma, substance use, and the stage at which a disorder has emerged in a therapy participant.

• Learn how to interpret the effects of systems and historical trauma as indicators of risk factors. 

• Gain insight into lifespan issues related to the interaction of mental health and substance use.

Why this training matters

Mental health work does not happen in a vacuum. It exists within complex systems shaped by power, policy, privilege, access, harm, and resilience. As a practice, MindBalance Mental Health Care believes it is essential to acknowledge these realities rather than work around them. We see it as part of our responsibility to create learning spaces that help clinicians understand how systems impact the people we serve and how we, as providers, can practice with greater care, humility, and accountability.

It is deeply important to us to partner with trainers whose work is rooted in lived experience, long-term clinical practice, and a demonstrated commitment to affirming care.

This training reflects that commitment.

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Rachel has extensive experience as a mental health and chemical health therapist. Her speciality areas include trauma, substance use, LGBTQIA+ communities, gender affirming care, religious trauma, polyamory, and kink-friendly.

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As a practice, we are intentional about who we learn from and whose voices we elevate. We believe that training should be led by people who are not only knowledgeable but who are actively engaged in the work, navigating the same systems many of us encounter, and advocating for change from within them. Partnering with a trainer who brings this depth of experience and integrity aligns with our values and our commitment to offering education that is relevant, ethical, and grounded in real-world practice.

Our hope in hosting this training is to support clinicians as they navigate the emotional, ethical, and systemic complexities of their work while staying connected to their values, identities, and long-term sustainability in the field. We recognize that many providers are carrying a lot, working within systems that are not always affirming or supportive, and doing their best to show up with care and intention. This training is offered as an opportunity to deepen understanding, build skills, and reflect alongside others who share a commitment to doing this work thoughtfully.

We also believe that learning happens in relationships.

By offering this training, we aim to create space for clinicians to learn not only from the trainer, but from one another. Our hope is that participants leave with increased clarity, confidence, and a stronger sense of connection to their work, their communities, and each other, so they can continue showing up for their participants and for themselves with compassion and sustainability.

Minnesota Mental Health training details

• Date: Monday, February 9, 2026

• Time: 4:00-5:00 PM CT

• Location: Virtual

• Cost: FREE, attendees have the opportunity to donate an amount of their choice to a MN non-profit chosen by Rachel: Autonomus Yurt Union

• Continuing Education: 1 CE available upon request and completion of post-training evaluation for MN Board of Social Work, MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, and MN Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

Local and Accessibility information

This training is hosted by MindBalance Mental Health Care, a Minneapolis-based mental health practice, and is available to mental health professionals and graduate-level clinical mental health students across Minnesota. The training is developed and facilitated by the trainer and will be offered in a virtual format, making it accessible to mental health professionals throughout Minnesota.

Registration and Next Steps

Registration is now open for this free mental health training opportunity.

Register Now

Frequently asked questions

Is this training open to mental health professionals across Minnesota?

Yes. This training is offered virtually and is open to mental health practitioners, trainees, and professionals located anywhere in Minnesota. Hosting the training virtually allows us to increase access for providers both within and outside the Twin Cities metro area.

Who is this mental health training designed for?

This training is designed for licensed mental health professionals, pre-licensed clinicians, graduate students, and clinical trainees. Content is relevant for therapists working across settings and is especially applicable for those seeking to strengthen affirming, ethical, and sustainable clinical practice.

Is this training appropriate for students or pre-licensed clinicians?

Yes. This training is appropriate for graduate level trainees, interns, and pre licensed clinicians. The content is presented in an accessible way while still offering depth and practical application for clinicians at different stages of their professional development.

Who is facilitating this training?

This training is developed and facilitated by the trainer, who brings extensive experience as a mental health and chemical health therapist. Her speciality areas include trauma, substance use, LGBTQIA+ communities, gender affirming care, religious trauma, polyamory, and kink-friendly. The training is hosted by our practice in alignment with our commitment to offering thoughtful, values-grounded learning opportunities for clinicians.

Does this training offer continuing education (CE) credit?

Yes. This training offers 1.0 continuing education (CE) credit for the Minnesota Board of Social Work, the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy. CE credit is available upon request and is issued following completion of the post training survey.

Is there a cost to attend this training?

There is no cost to attend this training. This training is offered at no cost as part of a state of Minnesota grant focused on building and strengthening the mental health workforce through training and supervision.

Participants will have the option to make a voluntary donation during registration to a nonprofit organization selected by the trainer. Any donations made are directed to that nonprofit and do not go to MindBalance Mental Health Care or to the trainer. This approach reflects our values around accessibility, transparency, and collective care, and allows participants who wish to contribute to support an organization aligned with the focus of the training.

What expectations are in place for participation in this training?

MindBalance Mental Health Care is committed to creating a learning environment that is respectful, affirming, and supportive of all participants and the trainer. We reserve the right to remove any individual from the virtual training space if their behavior is harmful or disruptive to others.

This includes, but is not limited to, behavior such as using hateful or discriminatory language, making disrespectful or dismissive comments toward the trainer or other participants, engaging in harassment, or repeatedly interrupting or derailing the training. These expectations are in place to protect the integrity of the learning environment and to ensure that all participants can engage fully and safely.