HIV/AIDS: The Current “State of Affairs”

Description: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be an infection that assaults the immune system of our clients. Since its discovery, a tremendous amount of research has focused on HIV and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). This webinar will present the latest information regarding HIV, specifically: facts, prevention, signs, symptoms, testing, treatment, and medication regimes. There will also be a brief discussion about HIV/AIDS amongst the aging population, as well as African Americans, Latinos, gay men, women, and the newly diagnosed. We will also discuss current “myths” that surround HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives: As a result of participating in this webinar, you will be able:

• define HIV/AIDS and describe the transmission and course of these diseases
• name 3 symptoms of initial infection with HIV, and 3 conditions necessary for diagnosis with AIDS
• name 5 risk factors for contracting HIV
• explain the process of diagnosing HIV
• describe 4 harm reduction activities that reduce the risk of HIV infection
• discuss treatment options
• describe 3 classes of medications used to prevent and/or slow progression of HIV
• discuss HIV in special populations of concern: 50+ year olds, African American, Latino, gay men, women, newly diagnosed

Price: Education is FREE to all professionals

Earn Continuing Education Credit: All applicants for CE credit are required to complete and pass this online CE Quiz (coming soon...) after viewing the webinar.  Members of NAADAC or AccuCare Subscribers receive a Certificate of Completion for 1 CE for free.  Non-members of NAADAC or Non-subscribers of AccuCare receive 1 CE for $15   A CE certificate will be emailed to you within 21 days of submission and receiving payment, if applicable. 

Presenter: Mita M Johnson, LPC, LMFT, ACS, AAMFT-approved Clinical Supervisor, LAC, MAC

Mita Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field as a mental health and substance abuse clinician, educator, trainer, consultant, and supervisor for the past 24 years. She currently has a private practice in Golden, CO where she works with clients, families, and supervisees.

Mita is a faculty member of the Metropolitan State University of Denver, in the Human Services Addiction Studies Program, and affiliate faculty for Argosy University Denver. She is approved to provide, by Colorado’s Office of Behavioral Health, all of the required certified addiction counselor (CAC) trainings, including Infectious Diseases in Addiction Treatment (14 hour training). Mita has provided content-specific trainings for NAADAC and Colorado State University, and is a retained consultant by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). She is a member of the Governor’s Behavioral Health Transformation Council and is a member of the task force rewriting the definitions for involuntary and emergency commits. Mita is the immediate Past-President of the Colorado Association of Addiction Professionals, has been an expert witness and case consultant to the state attorney general’s office, has been a member of the Advisory Committee that provides input regarding CAC training through the Office of Behavioral Health, and will be the NAADAC Southwest Regional Vice President covering 7 states beginning in October 2013. Mita has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, a Master’s degree in Counseling, and is working on finishing her dissertation for her Ed.D in Counselor Education and Supervision. There are several important passions that have resulted in this award. Mita believes that (a) clients deserve the best clinical care available to them, regardless of their situation, (b) counselors deserve the best supervision, guidance and support always, (c) the fields of mental health and substance abuse treatment requires ongoing advocacy, and (d) leaders have a mandate to serve everyone equally and to collaborate generously. There is much work to be done to promote the behavioral health field!

Who Should Attend: Addiction professionals, employee assistance professionals, social workers, mental health counselors, professional counselors, psychologists andother helping professionals that are interested in learning about addiction-related matters.