MAHEC - Regional Educational Services

Karen Blicher, LCSW, CHT, Director, 828-257-4483,
Bill Barthel, MSW, LCSW, Associate Director, 828-257-4482,
Elizabeth Flemming, LPC, Associate Director, 828-257-4466,
Eric Christian, MAEd, LPC, Integrated Care Project Coordinator, 828-257-4432,
Toni Hollenbeck, Sr. Administrative Asst., 828-257-4481,

As one of the largest of the departments in the Division of Regional Services, the Department of Mental Health Education annually provides over 1,000 hours of continuing education to mental health professionals, including substance abuse and developmental disability specialists. Closely affiliated with the North Carolina Department of Human Resources' Division of Mental Health, programming is designed to meet the professional educational needs of all levels of expertise to area mental health and other related disciplines located in Western North Carolina.

Special initiative areas of the department include aging, cultural diversity, women's issues, perinatal substance abuse, body centered psychotherapy, children and family, spirituality and clinical supervision.

MAHEC’s Integrated Care Project was begun when the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Foundation awarded a two year grant MAHEC in July 2004 to assist non-profit primary care practices in establishing mental health services for their practice patients. The grant supported the sites by: 1) providing start-up dollars to hire a licensed therapist; 2) providing dollars to pay for psychiatrist consultations; and 3) developing training opportunities and materials to support the practice clinicians’ educational needs around mental health issues. There is a multi-agency collaborative effort in the region to develop a network of integrated care and MAHEC is seen as one of the leaders in this quest. For further questions, please contact Eric Christian, MAEd, LPC at 828-257-4432.

Those individuals seeking professional certification in substance abuse are offered the courses necessary to become certified in North Carolina as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC), Certified Clinical Addictions Specialist (CCAS), or Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS). Internship opportunities, consultation, and technical assistance are also available through the department.

second counselor photo Annually, the department is host to the weeklong "ADDICTION: Focus on Women" Conference, which is nationally renowned for the quality of its speakers and community spirit. Health, mental health and substance abuse professionals gather together to learn about special issues facing addicted women, to share innovative and effective treatment approaches, and to partake in a time of professional self-care and respite. The conference has become an international event.

Other special programming in the department includes 1) an annual Spirituality and Mental Health Conference 2) an annual Parent Professional Conference 3) training programs in Hakomi, IFS, and Somatic Experiencing.

For more information about the Department of Mental Health Education or to be added to the mailing list, call (828) 257-4481, fax (828) 257-4768, or e-mail us. To register on-line or for information on continuing education classes, visit our Course Catalog.