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Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice

The graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to be trauma-informed mental health practitioners upon graduation. Students will learn how to recognize the historical context of serious mental illness (SMI) in the United States, including societal views, treatment and experience of individuals, and apply knowledge of case formulation and treatment planning when working with serious mental illness. 

Students will understand medical interventions (including terminology) often used in tandem with psychosocial interventions and examine disparities in access to, utilization of and quality of health care received. Students will identify differential applications of treatment modalities in clinical and multi-disciplinary practice, including but not limited to:

  • CBTp (Cognitive Behavioral Theory for psychosis)
  • DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) for psychosis
  • Neurofeedback
  • Cognitive remediation therapy through a trauma-informed, anti-racist lens

Students will identify and practice models of crisis planning and suicide risk assessment, as research shows SMI clients have higher levels of at-risk behaviors and lower levels of family/community support. Students will understand how brain development is impacted by environment, genetics and disease, and understand neural pathways and brain anatomy as they impact clinical interventions. 

Graduates of this certificate program will gain an intermediate knowledge of the most current treatment models for clients with a mental health diagnosis and be able to integrate other culturally relevant, anti-racist and psychodynamic contributions in this area. Graduates of this certificate will be more competitive when applying to positions requiring applicants to know healing-centered and trauma-informed care practices. Graduates of this certificate will be more adept at working with trauma-informed organizations.

Student learning outcomes

Students who complete this certificate will be able to:

  • Identify differential applications of these serious mental illness treatment modalities in clinical and multi-disciplinary practice, including but not limited to CBTp (Cognitive Behavioral Theory for psychosis), DBT for psychosis, ACT for psychosis, Open Dialogue and Cognitive remediation therapy through a trauma-informed, anti racist lens. 
  • Understand how brain development is impacted by environment, genetics and disease.
  • Recognize the historical context of serious mental illness in the United States, including societal views, treatment and experience of individuals.
  • Apply knowledge of case formulation and treatment planning when working with serious mental illness.
  • Identify and practice models of crisis planning and suicide risk assessment, as research shows SMI clients have higher levels of at-risk behaviors and lower levels of family/community support.

Target audiences

The primary target audience is graduate students enrolled in social science graduate degrees (e.g., Master of Social Work, Master of Science in Sociology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology) at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

The secondary target audience for the certificate is mental health/ human services professionals such as: social workers working in ACT teams/serious and persistent mental illness; therapists working in the community; social workers working in hospitals; and social workers doing crisis work.

Time to complete

The certificate program will only be offered on a part-time basis. Students may begin the proposed certificate program in either the fall or spring semester.

Degree-seeking students may complete the proposed graduate certificate program concurrently with their degree coursework. The length of time to complete will be based on scheduling within their degree program. Students attending part-time can complete the certificate in one (1) academic year (two semesters). All certificate course requirements must be completed within the time it takes to complete the degree program in which the student is enrolled.

Non-degree seeking students can complete the certificate program in one (1) academic year (three semesters) if maintaining a course load of 3 credit hours for the first and second semesters and 6 credit hours the third semester. Non-degree seeking students can complete the certificate in two (2) academic years (four semesters) if maintaining a course load of 3 credits per semester.

Admission

The admission requirements outlined will apply to all students. All applicants to the graduate certificate program are required to meet the admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School. Applicants will be required to submit the following materials to the Graduate School Admissions Office: 

  • Application form and application fee
  • Three letters of recommendation, professional and/or academic 
  • Official undergraduate transcripts from all schools attended 
  • A personal statement of purpose outlining career goals 
  • A resume stating relevant work experience. 

No transfer credit hours are accepted for this certificate program. Credits from a degree already awarded cannot be applied toward the certificate.

Curriculum requirements

The curriculum for these courses emphasizes advanced competencies in understanding, treating and supporting individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) through a combination of evidence-based, trauma-informed and neurobiological perspectives. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of clinical approaches while integrating theoretical knowledge, social justice principles and therapeutic techniques.

Students explore the complexities of SMI, including conditions such as psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression with psychotic symptoms and treatment-resistant depression. These courses provide a foundation in trauma-informed care, highlighting the history and neurobiology of trauma, as well as its long-term effects on individuals. A critical component of the curriculum is the focus on resilience, with students examining its mechanisms and understanding the strengths-based perspective inherent in social work practice.

Treatment modalities such as Mindfulness-Based Interventions, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy, and Narrative Therapy are presented as practical tools for trauma and mental health treatment. Throughout the coursework, the importance of culturally competent practice and the therapeutic relationship are emphasized, ensuring students can provide responsive and inclusive care.

Another central aspect of the curriculum is the exploration of the neurobiology of mental health. Students learn about brain anatomy and its implications for trauma, attachment, grief, mental illness, psychopathology and genetics. This knowledge is applied to understand how brain function and dysregulation intersect with mental health challenges and how evidence-based interventions can create positive neural changes over time. The courses also delve into the role of medications in mental health treatment and how an understanding of the brain enhances the delivery of social work services.

Practical, case study-based learning further enriches the curriculum, enabling students to develop essential problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills. They engage with real-world scenarios to learn how to navigate the complexities of mental health practice, including stigma, advocacy and crisis planning. Students also examine the intersections of SMI with systemic issues, such as the carceral system and the experiences of special populations, equipping them to address these challenges with restorative practices and family-centered approaches.

By completing this curriculum, students gain mastery of evidence-based and trauma-informed interventions tailored to individuals with SMI. They develop a deep understanding of trauma and resilience, integrate neurobiological insights into their practice and acquire the skills necessary for effective mental health care. This comprehensive approach prepares students to provide compassionate, informed and culturally responsive services in diverse settings while addressing systemic inequities and promoting social justice.

Program requirements 

Number of credit hours: 12 graduate credit hours 

Required courses: 

  • SLWK 727 : Trauma & Social Work Practice (3 credits) 
  • SLWK 762: Treatment of SMI (Serious Mental Illness) Through a Trauma-Informed and Evidence-Based Perspective (3 credits) 
  • SLWK 763: Neurobiology & Social Work (3 credits) 
  • SLWK 764: Mental Health Practice (3 credits)

Course delivery format

The certificate program will be offered in the traditional, face-to-face format and fully online. Thus, both physical space and software to facilitate the online courses (synchronous and asynchronous) are required and will be available.