What are the best continuing education courses for a marriage and family therapist on topics like trauma or addiction?

If you’re an MFT looking to deepen your clinical skills specifically around trauma, addiction, and co-occurring disorders, I’d prioritize courses that teach an actual treatment model rather than broad “awareness” CE.

My top picks

1. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD/trauma — best for evidence-based trauma treatment

• CPT is a structured, well-researched treatment for PTSD.
• pesi.com features Kathleen Chard, PhD, a co-developer of CPT, and teaches the approach session by session.
• Particularly useful if you want something more protocol-driven than general trauma CE.

2. Complex Trauma Certification with Janina Fisher — best for complex/developmental trauma

• Excellent choice if you see clients with childhood trauma, attachment injuries, dissociation, chronic shame, or complicated relational patterns.
• The current program includes Janina Fisher and Bessel van der Kolk and covers complex-trauma interventions.
• This may be especially relevant to an MFT because complex trauma often shows up through relationship and attachment dynamics.

3. Trauma & Addiction Dual Certification — best if you want both specialties

• This is probably the closest match to what you're asking for.
• The program covers CBT, CPT, EMDR, prolonged exposure, somatic and psychodynamic approaches for trauma and addiction.
• It is currently listed at $399.99, though CE pricing can change.

4. DBT & Addiction / Co-occurring Disorders training — best for clients with emotional dysregulation + substance use

• DBT can be particularly useful when addiction occurs alongside impulsivity, self-harm, intense emotions, relationship instability, or personality pathology.
• PESI currently offers a DBT & Addiction Dual Certification focused on substance abuse, trauma, and co-occurring disorders.

5. Addictions Certification Training — best if addiction is becoming a significant part of your practice

• Covers addiction treatment with a trauma-focused component and incorporates motivational approaches.
• I'd favor this over a generic substance-use CE course if you regularly see couples or families affected by addiction.

6. EMDR training — best if you want a major trauma-treatment modality

• EMDR can be a valuable addition to an MFT's toolkit, particularly when trauma is central to the client's presentation.
• Just be careful to distinguish introductory CE about EMDR from comprehensive EMDR training that actually prepares you to practice the method. PESI currently lists an “EMDR from Start to Finish” program.

What I'd choose as an MFT

If I were building a CE plan from scratch, I'd do:

Trauma foundation → complex trauma → addiction/co-occurring disorders → relational application

A strong sequence would be:

• CPT or another evidence-based PTSD treatment
• Complex trauma/attachment training
• Motivational Interviewing + substance-use treatment
• DBT for emotion regulation/co-occurring disorders
• Then EMDR, IFS, or somatic therapy if those approaches fit your clinical style

That combination gives you both evidence-based treatment skills and a systemic/relational lens, rather than collecting a lot of unrelated certificates.

One important caveat about CE approval

Before paying for a course, check whether the specific course is accepted by your state's MFT licensing board and whether it meets any particular requirements for ethics, supervision, cultural competency, etc. AAMFT notes that its CE is accepted by most state licensing boards, but recommends checking directly with your state board.

If you're licensed in Texas, I can also narrow this down to the best trauma/addiction CE courses that count toward Texas LMFT renewal, including cost, CE hours, online vs. live format, and which ones are actually worth the money.

For Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) looking to specialize or sharpen their expertise in trauma or addiction (and particularly the intersection of both via co-occurring disorders), several premier continuing education (CE) providers offer targeted courses and recognized certification tracks.

Top-rated platforms and specific high-demand courses in these areas include:

- **Complex Trauma Certification Training (CCTP / CCTP-II):** Integrates interventions from EMDR, parts work, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Polyvagal theory.
- **DBT & Addiction Dual Certification Course:** A master-level treatment course focusing heavily on substance abuse, trauma, and co-occurring disorders using Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
- **Explore options:** View full program availability on the [PESI Continuing Education Website](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESeQHrOzAVBwdShM2JtSytelJoYRMcrPXGEtHVB3fxcPej7NpKbwlgi-m3hBxIoanMLaylFAzW2kvt2mmJpuQ3HB6vmSsF0T06FlUV0yplnCrRpFvke6VyahtnF-7pXdaI2CpBsj7uWZguHMDhp2b2yIsUMjN9PfDuCqY).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESeQHrOzAVBwdShM2JtSytelJoYRMcrPXGEtHVB3fxcPej7NpKbwlgi-m3hBxIoanMLaylFAzW2kvt2mmJpuQ3HB6vmSsF0T06FlUV0yplnCrRpFvke6VyahtnF-7pXdaI2CpBsj7uWZguHMDhp2b2yIsUMjN9PfDuCqY)[[2]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUgHrOzAVddnsMt3lNoUE-0FMHXHnx2Xx2L3dAv6zX3h4q8Fy31RL_3if8bpy9YKYSJW0um1ysKVB30Tu4KyVvyksXxkqmZ8biH6qwTEyMKx3pH0)[[3]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESYgHrOzAVVDuxRyIJF-eFISaqcW0vH9BKNFny3swvCn-yRrw01BGBdgnTqyRQArKJZ4fD4G6MjcgMpCFG838VbXiBNJN04f1eBRpLN1X6j3ydZXKL12GAmt17YjCfxiXJ-wqo)

- **Internal Family Systems & Trauma (IFS):** A 13 CE-hour deep dive into applying IFS models for deep-seated trauma work.
- **Neurobiology of Addiction & Neurobiology for Mental Health Professionals:** 13 CE-hour courses breaking down how addiction alters brain structure and how to inform clinical treatment.
- **Creating a Mosaic: Understanding & Treatment for Complex PTSD:** A 12 CE-hour course tailored around integrative recovery.
- **Explore options:** Browse their curriculum on the [Trauma Online Training Portal](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESTAHrOzAVqEjTzPl5ChNHig0RpRYZr1PHzfid-XrXjsq6mufRvkzZNsxCQ1XAQmfgvxHU3cBQQ1EmI7SEf6lLD13tt_wcfJzi9nRKXe0).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESTAHrOzAVqEjTzPl5ChNHig0RpRYZr1PHzfid-XrXjsq6mufRvkzZNsxCQ1XAQmfgvxHU3cBQQ1EmI7SEf6lLD13tt_wcfJzi9nRKXe0)

- Though geared broadly toward mental health practitioners, APA's on-demand library features specialized clinical modules (such as *The Evolving Landscape of Trauma-Relevant Assessment in Adults* ) that yield cross-disciplinary CE credits valuable for MFTs.
- **Explore options:** Search the catalog via the [APA Continuing Education Catalog](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUQHrOzAVEuL6FekX1-OmzLuBbbAIXd_0RqSpAMXUI0jCho57miZotM_0FV-ABxZ0DNwROc88ZG8Hx7DXRPRFormMQl5nnvRTHjyRKPkrTeaqOQ).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESUQHrOzAVEuL6FekX1-OmzLuBbbAIXd_0RqSpAMXUI0jCho57miZotM_0FV-ABxZ0DNwROc88ZG8Hx7DXRPRFormMQl5nnvRTHjyRKPkrTeaqOQ)

- **Trauma-Informed Care & PTSD Modules:** They offer exceptional, evidence-based, and completely free online CE courses covering specialized trauma responses, cross-cultural considerations, and resiliency.
- **Explore options:** Access training resources through the [SAMHSA / VA PTSD CE Guide](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESfAHrOzAVFHaHEJCbmBXXYmuSCzPKZhf_g5fxFTfTPzD-MBhreNBA0Kg_ZHb1moamykY-tRlsKO9ITeEP6cIw8SZrm8h9uUDyAMlj3myO_CA6JMtT5SKd5fm7hUNOGiG1YSELzc18UwBHQAxCiXwJDtwFw0x5NfXy1nkbvtM).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESfAHrOzAVFHaHEJCbmBXXYmuSCzPKZhf_g5fxFTfTPzD-MBhreNBA0Kg_ZHb1moamykY-tRlsKO9ITeEP6cIw8SZrm8h9uUDyAMlj3myO_CA6JMtT5SKd5fm7hUNOGiG1YSELzc18UwBHQAxCiXwJDtwFw0x5NfXy1nkbvtM)

- **MFT-Specific Addiction & Motivational Interviewing Tracks:** They feature hundreds of state-board-accepted courses specifically categorized for MFT license renewal requirements, heavily emphasizing practical addiction frameworks and motivational interviewing.
- **Explore options:** Filter by license type on the [eCare Behavioral Institute MFT Catalog](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEShwEB6zswFU4mfbDeRduelcLwgTwDfG-xmDIR2OgG55uWz3Fcm67-XBQ9cuwl_ousr-ppJ_a-BuOEG_VZr58nnwCXKvA6zXLZw_c1sNH5YtR6XYvgzC3EXBD1h2u5EeJKfJTBUoK_2q2D3Ma5OxvK8zehk6dryM9LkgQSVmio1kIE23R1-xAxnvg).[[1]](https://google.com/goto?url=CAEShwEB6zswFU4mfbDeRduelcLwgTwDfG-xmDIR2OgG55uWz3Fcm67-XBQ9cuwl_ousr-ppJ_a-BuOEG_VZr58nnwCXKvA6zXLZw_c1sNH5YtR6XYvgzC3EXBD1h2u5EeJKfJTBUoK_2q2D3Ma5OxvK8zehk6dryM9LkgQSVmio1kIE23R1-xAxnvg)

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Your licensing state (to ensure board approval alignment)
• Whether you prefer self-paced recorded modules or live interactive webinars
• If you are looking for an intensive multi-week certification versus individual courses

If you’re an LMFT looking to build real clinical depth in trauma and addiction, I’d prioritize trainings that teach assessment and treatment skills—not just broad “trauma-informed care” overviews.

Since Arizona appears to be your location, I also checked the current Arizona requirements. Arizona requires 30 CE hours every two years for LMFTs, including at least 3 hours in behavioral-health ethics/mental-health law, 3 hours in cultural competency/diversity, and the 3-hour Arizona Statutes/Regulations Tutorial. The Board does not pre-approve individual CE courses, so you need to make sure a course fits the rules.

My top choices

1. AAMFT Teneo — best overall for an MFT

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy's Teneo platform is my first place to look if you want training that retains the systemic/relational perspective of MFT rather than essentially retraining you as an individual therapist.

AAMFT offers online CE courses covering systemic and relational therapy topics, and its courses are available worldwide.

Best for: couples/families where trauma, substance use, attachment, and relationship dynamics overlap.

2. Arizona Trauma Institute — best trauma + addiction combination

This is particularly interesting if you want a focused trauma/addiction specialization rather than a collection of one-hour webinars.

The Arizona Trauma Institute's Advanced Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist in Addiction (ACCTS-A) training is a 9-hour program covering trauma and addiction, neuroscience, harm reduction, medication-assisted treatment, family support, treatment planning, compassion fatigue, and approaches including EMDR, parts work, and trauma-informed yoga. It currently lists at $319.

Best for: someone who wants to make trauma + SUD treatment a significant part of their practice.

One caveat: the certification title sounds more substantial than a 9-hour CE course actually is. I'd regard it as specialized continuing education, not as equivalent to a lengthy professional certification or specialty credential.

3. CAMFT On-Demand — best value/convenience if you're in California

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has an unusually large on-demand library. Its current catalog specifically includes Trauma & Crisis Therapy and Addiction & Substance Use, so you can assemble a targeted curriculum instead of taking unrelated CE just to meet the requirement.

CAMFT says its provider is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and also has CCAPP-EI approval.

Best for: inexpensive, convenient individual courses and filling specific CE gaps.

4. AAMFT conferences — best for higher-level clinical exposure

If you prefer intensive learning rather than clicking through online modules, AAMFT's conferences are worth considering. Its systemic family therapy conference offers up to 14 CE hours over three days, including workshops and keynotes, with CE approval through organizations including NBCC and NAADAC.

This is particularly useful if you want to see how trauma, addiction, attachment, couples work, and family systems fit together rather than studying each problem in isolation.

5. NAADAC-approved addiction training — best if SUD becomes a major part of your practice

For addiction specifically, I'd look for NAADAC-approved education. That's a stronger signal that the course is genuinely focused on substance-use treatment rather than simply mentioning addiction in a general psychotherapy course.

This is also useful in Arizona: documentation from the 2026 AGPA program notes that Arizona MFT boards accept NAADAC-provider courses.

What I'd actually take

If your goal is to become substantially better at treating trauma and addiction, rather than simply collecting CE hours, I'd build a curriculum something like:

1. Trauma assessment & stabilization — screening, dissociation, complex PTSD, safety, stabilization.
2. Evidence-based trauma treatment — learn one model deeply rather than taking 10 superficial trauma webinars.
3. Substance-use assessment & treatment — motivational interviewing, stages of change, relapse prevention, harm reduction.
4. Trauma + addiction together — particularly important because treating the SUD and trauma independently can create problems.
5. Couples/family treatment of addiction — an especially valuable niche for an MFT.
6. Attachment and complex trauma — particularly useful for couples and family work.
7. Co-occurring disorders — trauma + depression/anxiety + SUD, including suicide risk.
8. Cultural considerations in trauma and addiction.
9. Ethics/legal issues related to SUD, mandated reporting, confidentiality, releases of information, and coordination with medical/addiction providers.

For an MFT, I'd put family-systems addiction treatment unusually high on the list. It's an area where your MFT training can give you a real advantage over generic trauma CE.

One Arizona-specific point

If you're practicing in Arizona, don't assume that an advertised course is automatically acceptable just because it says “CE.” The Board says it doesn't pre-approve individual courses or providers; the education needs to meet its criteria and relate to your scope of practice.

The Arizona Board currently uses CE Broker to manage CE information, following its 2026 licensing-system transition.

If you tell me whether you're already an LMFT or still an associate, and whether you want online/self-paced vs. live training, I can narrow this down to 5–10 specific trauma/addiction courses available right now, with CE hours, price, and how clinically substantial each one is.

2. Arizona Trauma Institute — best trauma + addiction combination

This is particularly interesting if you want a focused trauma/addiction specialization rather than a collection of one-hour webinars.

The Arizona Trauma Institute's Advanced Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist in Addiction (ACCTS-A) training is a 9-hour program covering trauma and addiction, neuroscience, harm reduction, medication-assisted treatment, family support, treatment planning, compassion fatigue, and approaches including EMDR, parts work, and trauma-informed yoga. It currently lists at $319.

Best for: someone who wants to make trauma + SUD treatment a significant part of their practice.

One caveat: the certification title sounds more substantial than a 9-hour CE course actually is. I'd regard it as specialized continuing education, not as equivalent to a lengthy professional certification or specialty credential.

3. CAMFT On-Demand — best value/convenience if you're in California

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists has an unusually large on-demand library. Its current catalog specifically includes Trauma & Crisis Therapy and Addiction & Substance Use, so you can assemble a targeted curriculum instead of taking unrelated CE just to meet the requirement.

CAMFT says its provider is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and also has CCAPP-EI approval.

Best for: inexpensive, convenient individual courses and filling specific CE gaps.

4. AAMFT conferences — best for higher-level clinical exposure

If you prefer intensive learning rather than clicking through online modules, AAMFT's conferences are worth considering. Its systemic family therapy conference offers up to 14 CE hours over three days, including workshops and keynotes, with CE approval through organizations including NBCC and NAADAC.

This is particularly useful if you want to see how trauma, addiction, attachment, couples work, and family systems fit together rather than studying each problem in isolation.

5. NAADAC-approved addiction training — best if SUD becomes a major part of your practice

For addiction specifically, I'd look for NAADAC-approved education. That's a stronger signal that the course is genuinely focused on substance-use treatment rather than simply mentioning addiction in a general psychotherapy course.

This is also useful in Arizona: documentation from the 2026 AGPA program notes that Arizona MFT boards accept NAADAC-provider courses.

What I'd actually take

If your goal is to become substantially better at treating trauma and addiction, rather than simply collecting CE hours, I'd build a curriculum something like:

Here are some of the top-rated continuing education (CE/CEU) platforms and specialized courses tailored for Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) focusing on trauma and addiction:

• PESI Mental Health Continuing Education : Highly popular for comprehensive and specialized training. They offer intensive options like the Complex Trauma Certification (CCTP) as well as targeted courses on treating co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders, often integrating modalities like CBT, DBT, and IFS.
• AAMFT Online Courses : Provided directly by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Their curated catalog features specific filtering for systemic therapy, trauma/disaster, and alcohol/substance abuse, ensuring the content aligns with a relational and systemic framework.
• Zur Institute : Offers an extensive catalog of online CE courses explicitly approved for LMFTs. They feature independent study and online webinars covering clinical trauma, psychological trauma, and addiction/substance abuse treatment ethics.
• AllCEUs Counseling CEUs : Provides vast video-based training specifically focused on addiction counseling, trauma-informed care, and co-occurring disorders. It is a practical resource if you are looking for granular, evidence-based modules on the neurobiology of addiction and trauma recovery.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Do you prefer live webinars or self-paced independent study?
• Are you looking for a full certification or a short course to meet specific state board requirements?

For a marriage and family therapist (MFT) looking for continuing education (CE) in trauma, addiction, and related clinical areas, the strongest options tend to be courses that combine evidence-based treatment models with a systemic/family therapy perspective. I’d prioritize programs from established MFT organizations, trauma-treatment institutes, and CE providers recognized by your licensing board.

Trauma-focused CE options

1. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

Best for: clinicians working with children, adolescents, and families affected by trauma.

• Focuses on trauma assessment, psychoeducation, coping skills, gradual exposure, caregiver involvement, and evidence-based trauma treatment.
• Especially useful for MFTs treating family systems impacted by abuse, violence, grief, or complex trauma.
• Example provider: California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions offers TF-CBT training and recertification opportunities with CE credit options for LMFTs and other clinicians.

2. EMDR Training

Best for: therapists wanting a structured trauma-processing approach.

Look for:

• EMDR basic training (usually a multi-part intensive)
• EMDR consultation requirements
• Advanced courses in complex trauma, dissociation, and attachment trauma

A full EMDR pathway is generally more than a single CE course, but it can be a major specialization area.

3. Complex Trauma, Attachment, and Dissociation Training

Best for: adult trauma, relational trauma, and clients with long-term developmental trauma.

Strong topics include:

• Complex PTSD
• Attachment wounds
• Dissociation
• Stabilization and grounding
• Trauma-informed couples/family work

---

Addiction-focused CE options

4. Addiction and Family Systems

Best for: MFTs, because addiction treatment often benefits from a relational lens.

Look for courses covering:

• Substance use disorders (SUDs)
• Family roles in addiction
• Enabling vs. supporting recovery
• Partner/family recovery
• Relapse prevention planning

The MFT perspective can be especially valuable because addiction affects the whole relational system, not only the individual. AAMFT has offered addiction-related CE content and systemic approaches to recovery.

5. Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Best for: clinicians treating ambivalence about change.

Useful for:

• Substance use
• Harm reduction
• Treatment engagement
• Resistance and readiness work

Look for intermediate/advanced MI courses rather than only introductory webinars.

6. Co-occurring Disorders Training

Best for: outpatient and private-practice clinicians.

Consider CE in:

• Trauma + addiction overlap
• Depression/anxiety with substance use
• Suicide risk and substance misuse
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) literacy

---

Strong CE providers to explore

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

Good fit for MFTs because courses often incorporate systemic and relational perspectives. Their online education platform offers CE courses, and their CE programs are accepted by many regulatory boards (always verify with your state board).

California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Especially relevant for California LMFTs. Their education offerings include on-demand learning, webinars, ethics training, and clinical topics.

EMDR International Association

A common route for clinicians seeking EMDR training and consultation.

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

Useful for research-informed trauma education and conferences.

National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors

A strong option for addiction-focused continuing education; some MFT-oriented programs also carry NAADAC approval.

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If I were building an MFT specialization track, I’d consider:

1. Trauma basics → Trauma-informed care + complex trauma
2. A trauma model → TF-CBT, EMDR, or another evidence-based trauma approach
3. Addiction foundation → SUD assessment + Motivational Interviewing
4. Systems integration → Addiction and trauma in couples/family therapy
5. Advanced work → Attachment trauma, dissociation, grief, and relational repair

Before enrolling, check:

• Whether the provider is accepted by your state licensing board
• Whether the course is LMFT-specific or broadly approved
• Whether it provides live, asynchronous, or self-study CE hours (some boards treat these differently)

If you tell me your state (e.g., California LMFT) and whether you prefer online/self-paced vs. live intensive training, I can narrow this to specific courses that are likely to count toward your CE requirements.

For marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), the most valuable continuing education (CE) courses on trauma and addiction bridge the gap between individual symptom reduction and systemic, relational healing. Because addiction and trauma heavily disrupt family dynamics, systemic-focused programs are often the most practical.

Top providers and specialized courses tailored to MFTs combining these areas include:

• The Gottman Institute – Couples and Addiction Recovery Training
  • Focus: Specifically designed to treat substance use and addictive behaviors within the context of the couple and family system.
  • Why it’s great for MFTs: It integrates a decade of research into the Sound Relationship House theory, teaching boundaries, communication, and how to navigate recovery without letting addiction continue to hijack the relational dynamic. (CE credits available via co-provider arrangements).
• PESI – Trauma & Addiction Dual Certification Training
  • Focus: Simultaneous treatment of underlying trauma and co-occurring addictive behaviors (substance, food, gambling, or sex addiction).
  • Why it’s great for MFTs: It gives clinicians cross-modal strategies (drawing from CBT, CPT, EMDR, Somatic, and Psychodynamic approaches) on how to safely assess for trauma without triggering relapse. PESI also offers focused sub-courses like Reverberations of Trauma in the Addictive Family.
• Zur Institute – Trauma and Attachment: Adult and Couple Courses
  • Focus: Online, self-paced CE courses emphasizing how developmental and complex trauma manifest within adult attachment systems and intimate relationships.
  • Why it’s great for MFTs: Zur specializes in a clean, comprehensive text/audio format explicitly approved for MFT continuing education boards, helping therapists conceptualize individual trauma responses through a relational lens.
• Ackerman Institute for the Family – On-Demand Workshops
  • Focus: Advanced systemic training addressing high-conflict families, trauma-informed care, and relational ruptures.
  • Why it’s great for MFTs: Ackerman is legendary in the family therapy world. Their workshops emphasize systemic reframing rather than just pathologizing individual behaviors tied to crisis and trauma.
• AATBS (Association for Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences) – MFT CE Catalog
  • Focus: Interactive and self-paced online courses covering Substance Misuse, Trauma Exposure and Psychopathology , and Opioid Abuse, Addiction, and Treatment.
  • Why it’s great for MFTs: They curate packages specifically structured to satisfy state board license renewals for MFTs while targeting hard clinical competencies in addiction.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• Which state are you licensed in (to ensure board alignment)?
• Do you prefer self-paced online modules or live interactive webinars/workshops?

If you're a marriage and family therapist looking to deepen your skills in trauma, addiction, or both, I'd prioritize courses that teach you actual clinical interventions rather than CE courses that are mostly regulatory or theoretical.

My top picks

If I were building a specialization

I'd do the training in roughly this order:

1. Motivational Interviewing → 2. Trauma/complex trauma → 3. DBT → 4. Addiction-specific treatment → 5. Couples/family work with substance use

That gives you a useful combination:

• MI: engaging clients who are ambivalent about changing
• Trauma: understanding what's underneath symptoms and relational patterns
• DBT: giving clients concrete regulation/distress-tolerance skills
• Addiction: learning evidence-based approaches to substance-use disorders
• MFT/systemic work: treating the relationship and family system rather than treating the individual in isolation

For an MFT, I'd particularly look for courses on trauma + attachment, substance use in couples, family systems and addiction, codependency/enabling, adolescent substance use, relapse prevention, and trauma-informed addiction treatment.

One important consideration if you're practicing in Texas

If you're a Texas LMFT, TAMFT is worth watching. Texas currently requires licensees to obtain 50% of their CE from providers meeting designated criteria, and TAMFT notes that it qualifies under that requirement.

And regardless of provider, verify that the particular course counts toward your license before paying for it. AAMFT explicitly notes that online CE approval varies by state board.

If you tell me whether you're an LMFT in Texas (or another state), your approximate experience level, and whether you want primarily trauma, addiction, or trauma + addiction, I can narrow this down to 5–10 specific courses available right now, including cost, CE hours, format, and instructor.

For a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), the best continuing education (CE) courses on trauma and addiction are those that blend individual neurobiology with systemic, relational frameworks—ensuring you can treat the client not in isolation, but within their dynamic family or couple structure.

Top-tier continuing education programs, certifications, and specialized courses tailored to MFTs include the following:

• Couples and Addiction Recovery by The Gottman Institute
  • Focus: Designed specifically for treating problematic substance use and behavioral addictions within a couple or family system. It teaches you how to foster three recoveries simultaneously: each individual's recovery and the relationship's recovery.
  • CE/Format: Available as an on-demand course (with CE credits often coordinated via companion live Q&A/workshops with developer Dr. Robert Navarra).
• Treating Affairs and Trauma by The Gottman Institute
  • Focus: An advanced clinical training exploring assessment and intervention when trauma and betrayal shatter a relational system. It utilizes the "Atone, Attune, and Attach" framework.
  • CE/Format: Approximately 17 hours of specialized on-demand video content and extensive clinical manuals, offering approved CE credits for MFTs.
• Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP / CCTP-II) Training by PESI
  • Focus: Comprehensive, multi-modality trauma training featuring leading experts like Janina Fisher and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. It integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sensorimotor/Somatic approaches, and Polyvagal interventions, which translate remarkably well to systemic and parts-based family work.
  • CE/Format: Extensive self-paced online certification packages offering upwards of 36 to 42 CE hours.
• Gestalt Therapy Approaches to Trauma and Addiction (via CE-Classes.com / specialized institutes)
  • Focus: Explores the arousal cycle, nervous system regulation, and viewing compulsive or addictive behaviors as "creative adjustments" to dysfunctional environments, bridging individual body awareness with family/group dynamics.
  • CE/Format: Periodic live interactive webinars and structured multi-module online CE courses.
• AAMFT Professional Development & Specialized Courses
  • Focus: Offered directly through the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy , covering targeted systemic frameworks such as trauma-informed leadership, working with sexual health/compulsivities, and legal/ethical issues in complex systems.
  • CE/Format: On-demand and live conference-based CE hours explicitly structured for the MFT scope of practice.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Are you looking for a full certification (like a trauma or addiction specialist credential) or shorter, single-topic modules?
• Do you prefer self-paced online learning or live interactive webinars?

For a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), looking at trauma and addiction through a systemic and relational lens is especially powerful. Several top-tier continuing education (CE) providers and specific hybrid/specialty courses stand out for clinical depth, practical utility, and broad board approvals (such as NBCC, APA, or state BBS equivalents).

• PESI (Psychotherapy Networker / PESI Mental Health) : Offers extensive certification tracks and on-demand packages tailored to MFTs and counselors. Highlights include the Clinical Trauma Certification (CCTP) Training Course , specialized Internal Family Systems (IFS) Immersion courses for trauma and addiction, and Jan Winhall’s Polyvagal for Addiction & Trauma Treatment: A 6-Step Framework for Lasting Recovery . Explore options on the PESI Continuing Education Portal.
• CE-Classes.com / Specialized Co-Sponsors : Features relational and niche integrative courses, such as Healing Trauma in the Path to Recovery: A Gestalt Approach to Trauma and Addiction and advanced EMDR addiction-focused protocols. These courses explicitly bridge the gap between autonomic nervous system regulation and family/group work. View catalogs directly through CE-Classes.com.
• NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals) : While focused heavily on substance use disorders, NAADAC’s knowledge center provides stellar independent study courses and webinars specifically exploring the intersection of Co-Occurring Disorders, Trauma, and the Family . Access learning modules at the NAADAC Education Center.
• Ackerman Institute for the Family : Renowned specifically for systemic family therapy, they offer targeted on-demand workshops and virtual learning passes covering trauma-informed approaches to family dynamics, high-conflict relational ruptures, and systemic recovery. Browse specialized family-focused training via the Ackerman Institute On-Demand Workshops.
• National Center for PTSD (VA/SAMHSA) : For high-evidence, zero-cost, in-depth clinical education on PTSD, trauma across the lifespan, and resilience factors, they offer exceptional web-based courses designed specifically for mental health treatment practitioners. Check available modules through the SAMHSA Trauma Education Resources.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• Do you prefer self-paced on-demand video, live webinars , or a full certification track?
• Does your state board require specific CE topics (like law and ethics or suicide prevention ) that we should factor in?

If you're an LMFT in California, I’d prioritize CE that builds an actual clinical skill set rather than collecting general CE hours. California’s BBS recognizes CAMFT as a CE approval agency, and CAMFT maintains an approved-provider directory.

My top picks

If I were building a CE plan

I'd do it in this order:

1. Motivational Interviewing → 2. Trauma/complex trauma → 3. Addiction/co-occurring disorders → 4. EMDR or another full trauma modality → 5. Couples/attachment and trauma.

MI is particularly high-value. Rather than taking a generic "addiction 6-hour CE," I'd look for training that gives you repeated practice with OARS, change talk, sustain talk, ambivalence and treatment planning. MINT's training directory is a good place to find trainers and workshops.

One important distinction about EMDR

If you're seriously considering EMDR, don't confuse a generic "EMDR CE course" with EMDR Basic Training. EMDRIA specifically maintains a list of approved basic-training providers, and it notes that some popular CE companies—including PESI—do not offer EMDRIA-approved basic training.

If you want to use EMDR clinically, I'd choose an EMDRIA-approved program. You can search the official training calendar here:

Best low-cost option

For inexpensive, high-quality trauma CE, I'd start with the ISTSS Learning Hub and CAMFT's on-demand library. CAMFT has 100+ workshops/articles and lets you sample portions of workshops before purchasing the CE test.

If you tell me whether you're already licensed, your approximate CE budget (e.g. <$200, $500, $1,000+), and whether you prefer online or in-person, I can narrow this down to 5–10 specific courses available in 2026, including cost, CE hours, provider approval, and which ones I'd personally prioritize.