Introduction
Date Course Created: June 2026
Transform your approach to your most challenging clients in this masterclass with internationally renowned expert Dr. Jeff Riggenbach. This intensive training provides a clear blueprint for getting unstuck with complex cases: those involving co-occurring conditions, relational trauma, therapy-interfering behaviors, and resistance. It’s designed for clinicians who feel ensnared by clients who present with multiple moving parts, spotty attendance, or a history of not making progress.
Drawing from a variety of evidence-based approaches, this course will equip you to identify the underlying structural schemas driving these challenging behaviors. You will learn to create individualized “roadmaps to recovery” that cut through the clinical chaos, drive your treatment planning, and keep sessions focused and effective. Known for bridging the gap between research and real-world practice, Dr. Riggenbach provides practical, day-to-day tools to help you manage your own in-session reactions and get your buttons pushed less often.
From dealing with specific forms of resistance to implementing schema reconstruction and behavioral pattern-breaking techniques, you will leave with a comprehensive toolkit for resolution. The training also dives deep into specific populations, with sessions on treating chronic depression, dysregulated emotions, C-PTSD, narcissism, and paranoia. Ultimately, you’ll gain the skills to intervene at the root of the problem and the confidence to know what to do next with any client who walks through your door.
This is a 10.25-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
Video 1:
00:00 – 01:00 → Introduction to Therapeutic Impasse, Understanding Client Avoidance, Mindset of the Therapist
01:00 – 02:00 → Understanding Cognitive Models, Overcoming Obstacles in Client Engagement, Belief-Behavior Connection
02:00 – 03:00 → Maladaptive Schemas, Schema Reinforcement, Overcompensation in Relationships, Conceptualization Maps
03:00 – 04:00 → Resistance in Therapy, Introduction to Victim Resistance, Levels of Validation in Therapy
04:00 – 05:12 → Therapy Interference, Challenging Misattributions, Tracking Progress, Techniques, Gratitude
Video 2:
00:00 – 01:00 → Bridging Sessions for Continuity, Managing Emotional States, Opposite Action
01:00 – 02:00 → Handouts for Client Support, Suicidal Ideation, PTSD Treatment Approaches
02:00 – 03:00 → Cognitive Processing Therapy, Case Study, Techniques, Perfectionism & Psychological Disorders
03:00 – 04:00 → Narcissistic Subtypes, Understanding Grudges in Paranoia, Scaling Trust in Therapy
04:00 – 05:10 → Understanding Psychosis, Core Beliefs, Further Strategies & Techniques, Resources
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to recite 3 vital mindset shifts necessary to modify in “the thinking of the therapist” to successfully treat challenging problems and complex cases.- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify 3 characteristics of a complex case.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to create individualized roadmaps to recovery that cut through a myriad of problems and drive your treatment planning, agenda setting, and documentation so you never feel lost in treatment again.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the 3 types of resistance and use language to disarm each.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to recite the 5 steps of schema reconstruction to intervene at the “root” of the problem.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to apply 4 step behavioral pattern breaking to reverse long standing toxic cycles of behavior.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to assess when clients are caught in the “victim trap” and select strategies for breaking victim mentality and getting “unstuck” in from the victim triangle.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to explain the 3 systems of emotion regulation in compassion-focused therapy and plan interventions for negative rumination, inactivity, and self-criticism accordingly.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to analyze “Red Brain” vs “Green Brain” states and discuss implications for interventions that promote safety when treating “complex PTSD” and other forms of trauma.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to discuss the 4 sub-types of narcissists and use mode-appropriate interventions.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to analyze functional vs dysfunctional perfectionism and recite 2 questions to ask to assess for each.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to differentiate psychotic paranoia from “everyday” paranoia and describe 2 strategies for building trust in suspicious clients.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this live webinar event includes psychologists, social workers, counselors, MFT’s, and other clinical mental health professionals.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Jeff Riggenbach, PhD
Material Author(s): Jeff Riggenbach, PhD
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
- Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
- Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive 10.25 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.- Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
- Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
- Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
- Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
- How to Enroll – Login to the website first if you already have a user account. If not, you will create your permanent user account login information during course enrollment. Select the appropriate course library using the top menu of the website. Once inside your chosen course library, find and select your desired course to be taken to the main course page. Click the button on the top banner to enroll. When the order window pops up, enter your details and place your order. You will be emailed an enrollment confirmation message, and you’ll be sent to a landing page instructing you how to begin your newly enrolled course.
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