Our Clinical Training Program is designed to provide an opportunity to observe and discuss the implementation and use of the Social Thinking Methodology across assessment and treatment. Attendees will be part of a small group of professionals from around the globe who will bring their unique experiences and understanding of Social Thinking and other treatment programs to the training. Attendees will observe clients from preschool age through adulthood, with most falling within the school-age years. The clinical treatment groups represent both concrete learners (Emerging Social Communicators) and nuanced learners (Nuance-Challenged Social Communicators). We often have at least one preschool group and some adult sessions, but this is dependent on the current client demand, and observing an early learning group is not guaranteed.

Travel to the clinic of choice: Social Thinking Santa Clara & Boston participants who are traveling by plane or train should plan on renting a car or schedule to find rides through Uber or Lyft; neither clinic is within easy walking distance from a local hotel.

Other Key Information

1. We will provide a list of nearby hotels and restaurants and encourage all participants to make their plans early for the best rates.


2. Collaboration is encouraged among the trainees. This helps foster team building and deeper discussions about Social Thinking.


3. Attending this training does NOT, in any way, certify the attendee as a Social Thinking therapist or trainer. Instead, attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance at the end of Day 3 citing their attendance and participation if the attendee is present for all hours of the program.


4. The behavior required during Clinical Training Program hours: Please do not schedule work telephone calls or other activities (e.g., writing IEP reports, etc.) during training hours. Missing or being distracted during any hours of the Clinical Training Program means we have the right to: a) not list an attendee in our online Directory of Clinical Trainees, b) adjust the hours on the Certificate of Attendance to reflect the actual time an attendee was actively participating, and c) discontinue an attendee’s participation in the Clinical Training Program without providing any refund.


5. The Clinical Training Program is run by Social Thinking Santa Clara. However, Social Thinking Intellectual Property is owned by Think Social Publishing, Inc. These two corporations are both owned and operated by Michelle Garcia Winner with Dr. Pamela Crooke as a chief advisor. Attendees pay Social Thinking Santa Clara for participation in the program but are expected to follow the Intellectual Property Terms of Use and guidelines found on the Social Thinking website at www.socialthinking.com/Intellectual-Property. The website www.socialthinking.com represents both companies.

Directory of Clinical Trainees

6. Attendees who receive the Certificate of Attendance will have the option to have their names posted on Social Thinking’s online Directory of Clinical Trainees. The purpose of this directory is to provide the public with access to people who have completed a higher level of Social Thinking training. Attendees can list their school district and/or private practice affiliations along with their contact information to 1) let the public know the attendee has a deeper clinical training experience in using the Social Thinking Methodology, and 2) let the public know who may be available to provide clinical services in their local area that include the use of the Social Thinking Methodology. Attendees’ names are maintained on our Social Thinking website for up to five years if the attendee meets the following standards:
   
   1. Agree to abide by Social Thinking’s Intellectual Property guidelines
   
   
   2. Keep up to date with the Social Thinking Methodology as it evolves
   
   
   3. Respond to our staff when they ask yearly for affirmation that the contact information in the directory is accurate
   
   
   4. Provide any other information we request

Attendees’ names will be removed from the Directory of Clinical Trainees if the attendee fails to respond to updates requested from our office, contact information is found to be no longer valid, they are found to violate terms and conditions in using Social Thinking Intellectual Property, or five years have passed since they attended our Clinical Training Program.

Day 1: Attendees will begin with an orientation about logistics followed by an overview of the ST Informal Dynamic Assessment and related observation tools. Next, participants will watch a live (or, when necessary, video) assessment. If a report is part of the assessment, attendees will receive a copy of the report with identifying information redacted. Schedule: Santa Clara, CA: 8:00am to 4:30pm. Boston, MA: 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Day 2: The day will begin with a follow-up intensive discussion about the findings of the assessment and how to do treatment planning based on what was learned from it. Information about the latest Social Thinking concepts and frameworks, clinical and educational treatment strategies, related research, and intervention tools will round out in the morning. The afternoon will focus on observing live clinical sessions. Schedule: Santa Clara, CA: 9:00am to 7:00pm. Boston, MA: 9:15am to 6:45pm.

Day 3: The final day starts with a review of additional treatment materials and a discussion about treatment-related to teaching individuals about anxiety management. Q and A about previously observed clinical sessions are also included. The afternoon is reserved for observing additional clinical sessions. Schedule: Santa Clara, CA: 10:00am to 7:00pm. Boston, MA: 10:30am to 6:15pm.

Important: Trainees are expected to stay for the entire Day 3 training. Please consider this timeline when scheduling your return flights and factor in the time you need to travel to the airport and wait for your flight.

1. Explain the Social Competency Model and how it relates to the fidelity of teaching all Social Thinking concepts.
2. Describe the six levels of the Social Thinking–Social Communication Profile (ST–SCP).
3. Explain the components of the Cascade of Social Attention and the implication for treatment.
4. Describe two different Informal Dynamic Assessment tasks and define how these are different from standardized assessments for functional treatment plan development.
5. Describe two ways in which lessons that teach Social Thinking Vocabulary vary among interventionists.
6. Utilize the ST–SCP and clinical observation to determine a client's level of the social mind.
7. Describe how cognition, perspective taking, language skills, and sensory skills relate to developing a functional treatment plan.

This is advanced training on the Social Thinking Methodology and not Social Thinking 101. To be eligible to participate in the Clinical Training Program, applicants must:

1. Have at least one year of recent experience utilizing Social Thinking treatment frameworks, strategies, vocabulary, and concepts with clients/students of any age within the range of four years to adulthood.


2. All professionals (mental health, educational, OT, SLP, etc.) that work directly with individuals with social learning differences, who have met other pre-requisites are welcome to attend. We provide continuing education hours to some of these professionals (see below).
   
   • Behaviorists need to further evaluate if they should enroll in our Clinical Training Program. We are aware that licensed BCBA’s and licensed behavior assistants are not allowed to utilize the Social Thinking Methodology as part of the work they do as a licensed BCBA according to their licensing agency. For this reason, when a licensed behaviorist or behavioral assistant applies to our Clinical Training Program, they will receive a letter from us further clarifying this information. The licensed behaviorist will have to select if they still want to proceed in our training based on our explanation of the situation or withdraw their application at that point.
   
   
3. Remain updated about evolving aspects of the Social Thinking Methodology by reading free articles and watching free webinars. You are subscribed to our quarterly newsletter (you can join through our website www.socialthinking.com) which will guide you to some of the new content posted on our website.


4. Have attended at least two full-day Social Thinking conferences taught by member(s) of our Social Thinking Training and Speakers’ Collaborative or a guest speaker invited by Social Thinking or watched at least 12 hours of Social Thinking online training courses (four, 3-hour courses) and have implemented components of the Social Thinking Methodology with individuals for over one year.
   • We encourage you to watch the two-part series Navigating Across School, Home, and Screen Landscapes using the ILAUGH Model
   
   
5. Read and use two or more of the core books published by Think Social Publishing, Inc, including but not limited to:
   • Thinking About YOU Thinking About ME
   • Social Thinking and Me
   • You Are A Social Detective combined with teaching Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum
   • We Thinkers! Volume 1 Social Explorers (storybooks and curriculum)
   • Socially Curious and Curiously Social
   
   
6. Applicants are selected based on the number of students/clients they serve in the community and their experience with our methodology. Professionals or parent-professionals working with a very small caseload are less likely to be selected.


7. With regards to Covid 19: all applicants must be fully vaccinated and acknowledge adherence to Social Thinking’s COVID policies and procedures

About the Application Process

The Clinical Training Program is conducted monthly throughout the school year (September through May). There are only 7 spots available for each training session at each of our two locations. Individuals who were on the waiting list from the previous year will be given the first chance to attend the current year’s training in either of our locations, Santa Clara, CA, or Boston, MA.

Each Spring we post online the application for enrollment in the Clinical Training Program for the upcoming school year (September-May). Applications are collected until all spots are full. A complete application is the ONLY way to secure a space. We do not hold spaces without a submitted application and deposit.

A complete application must contain:

• Completed application forms.
• An indication of at least three training dates you can attend at their respective location.
• Written responses to the questions we ask about your experience using the Social Thinking Methodology.
• A $350 (USD) deposit. This deposit will be applied to the total tuition if you are selected to attend the Clinical Training Program.

Reminder about the Deposit: Applicants accepted into the Clinical Training Program; the deposit is non-refundable! (See the Cancellation & Rescheduling Policies above.) If an applicant is not accepted into our program, they will be refunded the deposit

Team Attendance

Administrators and businesses wishing to enroll a team of individuals in a training need to submit one email or mailed packet containing each applicant’s completed paperwork with the individual deposit fee for each person. There is no group discount offered.

We offer continuing education credit for attending the Clinical Training Program for the professions listed below. All attendees will receive a Certificate of Completion and an agenda as proof of participation. The training provides 20 hours of instruction.

Contact your licensing and/or certification organization: We are approved to offer continuing education (CE) credit in many U.S. states and Canadian provinces. However, because requirements can change without notice, we recommend contacting your licensing and/or certification organization to verify program approval to be 100% confident you can earn CE credit for the program. If you work in a location not listed, we recommend contacting your certification board to determine program approval.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs)

United States & Global ASHA Affiliates
All states: We are an approved continuing education provider through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA); the program is offered for 2.0 ASHA CEUs. To apply for ASHA CEUs, fill out an ASHA registration form on the first day of training. Remember to bring your ASHA number to include on the form.

If you maintain your own CE hours, your Certificate of Attendance qualifies as your verification of attendance form.

California: Michelle Garcia Winner is an approved Continuing Professional Development Provider by the Speech-Language Pathology, Audiology and Hearing Aid Dispensers Board for the state of California SLPs (PDP 54) (20 hours).

Canada: To apply for CEEs for our program, submit the Certificate of Attendance and agenda to your licensing organization. The Certificate of Attendance and agenda will be provided. Earn 2.0 CEEs for the training!

Counselors

Professions included under this category:

• Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
• Certified Professional Counselors
• Licensed Professional Counselors
• Associate Professional Counselors
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors

United States

Most states: The program is offered to counselors for 20 clock hours toward the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit except where noted below. Social Thinking has been designated by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) No. 6685. Social Thinking is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors:

• All U.S. states except MT, NY, NV, OK

Educators

United States
Most states: To apply for continuing education credit for our training, submit your Certificate of Attendance and agenda documents to your district or employer after the program has taken place.

Massachusetts
Social Thinking is an approved PD Provider #2017F007 with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. To use the hours for PDPs, you must attend at least 10 hours of Social Thinking workshops.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists

United States
Most states: Each course is offered for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) credit except where noted below. Social Thinking has been designated by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP) No. 6685. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are identified. Social Thinking is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

States that typically accept CE hours for programs approved by NBCC, though they can change without notice:

• AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, ME, MN, MO, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY

Occupational Therapists (OTs)

Contact your licensing and/or certification organization to see if you can earn continuing education credit for our program. Many states accept CE hours for our training; however, Social Thinking is not an AOTA-approved provider.

United States
States that are likely to accept CE hours for our program when submitting paperwork after the training takes place:

• AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IA, KS, KY, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Washington DC

States that require participants to submit the program for approval before the event to receive CE hours for attendance:

• IL, LA (for live events only), NM, ND, VT.

States that are unlikely to accept CE hours for our program:

• The states not listed in either category above require attendance at AOTA-approved programs to earn CE credit. Unfortunately, Social Thinking is not an AOTA-approved provider.

Canada
To apply for CEEs for our training, submit the Certificate of Attendance and agenda provided at the training to your licensing organization. The program is offered for 20 CEEs.

Psychologists (Clinical & School)

In the past we were able to provide approved CE credit to clinical psychologists for attending clinical training. This option is no longer available. If we find another way to provide CE approval for the courses, we will update this page. You may contact your licensing organization to see if they can accept CE hours from non-approved providers.

School Psychologists may not need American Psychological Association (APA) approval of the CE hours. You may still be able to earn credit for watching our courses—please contact your licensing and/or employer organization to find out.

Social Workers

NY State Social Workers
Social Thinking, Inc., SW CPE, is recognized by New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0334. The training is offered for 20 contact hours (unless other total time is clearly stated on the course page).

Other States
In the past we were able to provide approved CE credit to clinical social workers for attending clinical training. This option is no longer available. If we find another way to provide CE approval for the courses, we will update this page. You may contact your licensing organization to see if they can accept CE hours from non-approved providers.

Questions about Continuing Education?

Elena Samsonova
Director of Conferences & Continuing Education
esamsonova@socialthinking.com
408-557-8595 ext. 325
Office hours: 9:30 am – 6:00pm Pacific Time

Boston total fee: $1,500 (USD) This training is led by Nancy Clements.

Santa Clara, CA: $1,600 (USD) This training is led by Michelle Garcia Winner and/or Dr. Pamela Crooke.

1. All applicants must pay a $350 (USD) deposit to be considered for the program. Applications can be mailed with a deposit or sent via email however the deposit must be paid by credit card within three days to be considered for the program. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. Please make all checks payable to the “Social Thinking Center.” If you have been selected, your deposit will be applied to your tuition. If you are not selected, we will return your check uncashed or will not charge your credit card.


2. The second and third payments are split into two payments. If you wish to pay the two payments in full, you may do so.


3. Upon acceptance, you will receive an email that will include an invoice for the second payment. This payment is due within 14 days. The second payment is $600 (USD) for the Boston training and $700 (USD) for those attending the Santa Clara training. Individuals notified of placement in the program who decide to withdraw before making this second payment will forfeit their entire $350 (USD) deposit.


4. The final payment of $550 (USD) for the Boston and Santa Clara locations is due 10 weeks before the training date and has a 30-day due date. If the payment is not made on time, the spot can be forfeited along with all money paid toward the tuition.


5. The Social Thinking Center will send invoices for each payment and track all applicants’ payments and balances. The program tuition must be paid in full before attending the training.


6. Applicants will work directly with Vanessa Alcantar, our Clinical Training administrator in Santa Clara, California for registration for Clinical Training at Social Thinking Boston. Please avoid contacting Social Thinking Boston about your registration for this program.


7. There are no discounted fees or scholarships available for Clinical Training Programs.

Purchase Orders

We only accept purchase orders if the $350 deposit is paid upfront. The remaining balance may be paid with a purchase order only if Social Thinking receives the remaining balance check 12 weeks before the training date. There are no exceptions for purchase orders to be paid after the scheduled training date. Delay receiving the lump sum check before the scheduled training date can result in losing the training spot!

Clinical Training Program waitlist

1. If you are eligible to participate in the Clinical Training Program but all spots have been filled for the current U.S.A. school year, you will be notified via email, your deposit will be returned, you will be placed on the waitlist, and given priority placement for the following school year training or if there is a cancellation spot available.


2. If you’re on the waitlist, we will notify you via email if someone cancels or when more training dates become available for you to consider.


3. Cancellation spots to fill: if a training session becomes available, we will attempt to reach you via email & phone to see if you are interested in taking the spot. We will not hold the open spot, they are on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you accept the training session, your tuition is due immediately or the money you have paid will be applied to your future training.


4. If you canceled or rescheduled, you have three years to participate in another training. After three years, you forfeit all money paid.


5. If the cost of the Clinical Training Program increases between your placement on the waitlist and the date you attend, or if you change locations and the program cost is higher, you are responsible for paying the most current price of the training.

Cancellation & Rescheduling Policies

If a person reschedules or cancels their participation in a training for which they have been enrolled, it is difficult and time-consuming for our staff to fill that space from our waitlist, even months before the training date. For this reason, we have strict policies regarding cancellations and requests to reschedule.

Rescheduling or changing training location:

• Before being assigned to a training date:
  • If you would like to change your preferred training dates or location, you selected on your application we are happy to assist you at no charge. Please contact Vanessa Alcantar as soon as possible.


• After being assigned to a training date:
  • If you need to change your assigned training date or location, we will fulfill your request, but we charge a $150 administrative fee. We will do our best to find you an available spot in a training that works for your schedule, however, if none are available for the remaining school year, you will be placed on the waitlist for next year. Please See our “Waitlist Policy” for more details.

Cancelling/revoking your application

• Before being assigned to a training session:
  • If you contact us to cancel or revoke your application before you’ve been accepted and assigned to training, we will refund your $350 deposit.


• After being assigned to training session
• If you contact us to cancel your participation after you’ve been assigned to training, you forfeit any money paid toward your program attendance (deposit plus additional payments).


• The only exception is if the cancellation is due to a medical necessity as evidenced by a note from your doctor, then you will be refunded in full minus a $150 administrative fee. You can elect to be placed on the waitlist or you can re-register for our Clinical Training Program the following year. Our administrative staff will work with you to coordinate which possible dates you can attend the next year. All monies already paid, minus $150 in administrative fees, will apply to your alternative Clinical Training session. You have three years to schedule and attend another training; after that time, you forfeit all money paid.


• If the cost of the Clinical Training Program increases between your placement on the waitlist and the date you attend, or if you change locations and the program cost is higher, you are responsible for paying the most current price of the training.

Cancellation of a Clinical Training Sessions by the Social Thinking Center

On rare occasions, we have had to cancel Clinical Training sessions in the past for two reasons:

1. Challenges hosting a specific training after we have posted the schedule: If a Clinical Training session is canceled by the Social Thinking Center, we will notify participants 90 days or more before the first day of the enrolled applicant’s Clinical Training session, when possible. The Social Thinking Center will not be responsible for any travel-related expenses (airline, hotel costs) the attendee is paying due to the cancellation when given a 90-day or more notice. If a Clinical Training session is canceled by us and it is not due to an act of nature you have the following options:
   • If you have paid in full, we will offer a different session that fits your schedule. If you accept the new training session offered, you will be placed and will bear no additional tuition expense for attending the future Clinical Training session- even if the tuition has increased since you paid for your original training session. If there is no other time that you can attend based on our posted schedule and availability, you may choose to be put on our waitlist for future training sessions and will get priority when the next school year’s schedule is posted. You will have three years to schedule and attend another training; after that time, you forfeit all money paid.
   
   
   • You may choose to be given a full refund of all fees paid up to the point of cancellation, including your deposit, minus a $150 (USD) fee for administrative expenses.


2. Acts of nature beyond anyone’s control
   • If there is a significant Act of Nature such as severe weather conditions, an earthquake, tornado, etc. that restricts your ability to travel to your Clinical Training session or requires us to cancel the event for the safety of all participants, we will work with you to reschedule your training free of charge and the money you have paid will be applied to your future training. You will not be charged an additional fee to attend the future Clinical Training session if the cost of tuition increases since the time of your originally scheduled training session. The Social Thinking Center is not responsible for the cost of canceling your airline ticket, hotel room, or other pre-paid travel-related expenses. You will also be responsible for all travel-related costs resulting from the rescheduling, including airline and hotel costs. You have three years to schedule and attend another training; after that time, you forfeit all money paid.