About this course

Learning Objectives

• Define clinical theory and explain its foundational role in conceptualizing client concerns, guiding treatment, and supporting ethical practice in mental health care.
• Differentiate between clinical theory and therapeutic modality, and describe how theoretical frameworks can ethically support the integration of complementary and alternative interventions.
• Identify at least two theoretical models that align with their personal practice style or lived experience, and describe how these models influence their understanding of change and healing.
• Apply theoretical reasoning to both evidence-based and spiritual/energy-based interventions, using clinical language to articulate alignment, scope of practice, and ethical documentation strategies.

Learning Levels

• All levels

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Dr. Tina Vitolo, LCSW, DSW, QS

  Founder of The Black Sheep Therapist & Innovative Practitioner Accelerator Program

  Dr. Tina Vitolo, also known as The Black Sheep Therapist™, is a licensed clinical social worker and doctor of social work with nearly two decades of experience in clinical mental health. She is the founder of the Innovative Practitioner Accelerator and a recognized expert in helping therapists ethically integrate unconventional modalities—such as energy work, somatic practices, and spiritual interventions—into their clinical framework.

  Dr. Vitolo’s work bridges the worlds of theory, ethics, and intuitive practice. Through her popular trainings and mentorship programs, she has guided thousands of therapists in transforming their scope of practice, building ethical documentation systems, and grounding their unique approaches in clinical theory. Her approach is rooted in deep respect for the healing traditions that inform many complementary and alternative interventions, alongside a sharp understanding of what it takes to protect licensure and uphold ethical standards.

  With a gift for turning complexity into clarity, Dr. Vitolo is committed to helping practitioners practice with both freedom and integrity—without having to choose between soul and science.

References

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• Petko, John & Kendrick, Emma & Young, Mark. (2016). Selecting a Theory of Counseling: What Influences a Counseling Student to Choose?. Universal Journal of Psychology. 4. 285-291. 10.13189/ujp.2016.040606.
• McGuire, R., McCabe, R. & Priebe, S. Theoretical frameworks for understanding and investigating the therapeutic relationship in psychiatry. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 36, 557–564 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s001270170007
• Laska, K. M. , Gurman, A. S. , & Wampold, B. E. (2014). Expanding the lens of evidence‐based practice in psychotherapy: a common factors perspective. Psychotherapy, 51(4), 467. 10.1037/a0034332
• Kim, H. (2020). Self-exploration on anxiety in chakra meditation experienced people. International Journal of Social Welfare Promotion and Management, 7(1), 15–22
• Semetsky, I. (2005). Integrating tarot readings into counselling and psychotherapy. Spirituality and Health International, 6(2), 81–94
• Cook, S. C., Schwartz, A. C., & Kaslow, N. J. (2017). Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: Advantages and Challenges. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 14(3), 537–545. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-017-0549-4
• Drisko, James & Friedman, Anne. (2019). Let’s Clearly Distinguish Evidence-based Practice and Empirically Supported Treatments. Smith College Studies in Social Work. 89. 1-18. 10.1080/00377317.2019.1706316.
• Hartelius, G. (2022). What is transpersonal psychology? A concise definition based on 20 years of research. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 41 (1).
• Banushi, B., Brendle, M., Ragnhildstveit, A., Murphy, T., Moore, C., Egberts, J., & Robison, R. (2023). Breathwork Interventions for Adults with Clinically Diagnosed Anxiety Disorders: A Scoping Review. Brain Sciences, 13(2), 256. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13020256
• Hodge, D. R., & Horvath, V. E. (2021). Current mental health clients' attitudes regarding religion and spirituality in treatment: A national survey. Religions, 12(6), 371. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12060371
• Vitolo, T., Cooley, M. E., Weissman, D. (2023). Licensed clinical social workers' perceptions of complementary and alternative interventions. Research on Social Work Practice, 34(5), 555–566. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315231195829
• Mann, J. D., Gaylord, S. A., & Norton, S. K. (2004). Integrating Complementary & Alternative Therapies with Conventional Care. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Program on Integrative
• Freud, S. (2012). A general introduction to psychoanalysis. Wordsworth Editions.
• Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Dana, D., & Porges, S. W. (2018). The polyvagal theory in therapy: Engaging the rhythm of regulation. W. W. Norton & Co Inc.
• Wachtel, P. L. (2011). Relational theory and the practice of psychotherapy. Guilford Press.
• Schneider, K. J., & Krug, O. T. (2017). Existential-humanistic therapy (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
• Feinstein, D. (2021). Six empirically‑supported premises about energy psychology: Mounting evidence for a controversial therapy. Advances in Mind‑Body Medicine, 35(2), 17–32.
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2001, July 1). AAMFT code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.aamft.org/resources/legal_ethics/ethics
• National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics
• American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics