The Nurtured Heart Approach® Certification Training Intensive

Monday, March 2, 2026, 8:45 AM - Friday, March 6, 2026, 4:00 PM

1. Analyze and accurately describe the conceptual framework of the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA), including key constructs and mechanisms of change, as demonstrated through structured knowledge assessment or case vignette mapping.
2. Apply the Three Stands of NHA in simulated counseling interactions by delivering recognition statements that meet predefined criteria (behavior-specific, neutral in tone, timely, and linked to strengths) with adherence measured by a skills rubric.
3. Implement techniques to build client “inner wealth”—defined as clients’ internalized sense of competence and positive identity—by using relationship-based recognition, intentional reflection of successes, and consistent limit-setting; demonstrate proficiency via supervised role-play ratings and structured reflection.
4. Maintain strengths-focused, clear, and consistent communication during challenging scenarios while upholding established limits, as evidenced by performance on standardized role-play assessments aligned with fidelity criteria.
5. Develop and evaluate strategies to adapt NHA-informed self-talk and adult relationship communications to diverse cultural contexts using a cultural formulation framework, documenting at least two adaptations and justifications in a reflective worksheet aligned with ethical practice and professional boundaries.

Please see the Brochure Tab for the daily schedule breakdown. 

Registration is through Rutgers CloudCME. 

Payments may only be made through credit card, debit cards and purchase orders.

Purchase orders must be finalized by February 2, 2026, through [email protected].

To submit payment via PO: include the CloudCME-generated receipt with the check and mail to: Rutgers, CCE Department, C/O Rebecca Rivera, 151 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway NJ 08854

Credit card and debit card refunds will be honored 10 days prior to first day of event, February 20, 2026.

Refund requests after February 20, 2026, will be applied to a future CTI. 

There are no refunds for purchase orders (PO). Finalized purchase orders can only be applied to a future CTI.

Registrations can be transferred to another attendee. Please confirm with [email protected]. 

In support of improving patient care, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  

Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 29 (clinical) continuing education credits.

Certified Counselors:  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6198.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.  (29.0 Clock Hours).

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT/LMFT): This course has been approved for 29 recertification credits for Marriage and Family Therapists to The Certification Board of NJ, Inc. Recertificate code: 200030626RECs29

Psychologists: This course is approved for 29 Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

Disclosure Declarations
In accordance with the disclosure policies of Rutgers and to conform with Joint Accreditation requirements and FDA guidelines, individuals in a position to control the content of this education activity are required to disclose to the activity participants: the existence of any relevant financial relationship with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients, with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations and non-health care related companies, within the past 24 months; and the identification of a commercial product/device that is unlabeled for use or an investigational use of a product/device that is not yet approved.

Faculty: The following faculty  have no relevant financial relationships to disclose: Dawn Kowalczyk, Dawn Ellis & Darron Lee Harley, Sr.

Peer Reviewers: The following peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose: Stephanie Marcello PhD, Laura Burns, LCSW, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

Planners: The following planners have no relevant financial relationships to disclose: Laura Burns; Dawn Kowalczyk.
Off-Label/Investigational Use Disclosure: Faculty are required to disclose discussion of off-label/investigational uses of commercial products/devices in their presentation. These disclosures will be made to the audience at the time of the activity.

Content Disclaimer: The views expressed in this activity are those of the faculty. It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of any manufacturer of pharmaceuticals or devices or Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. It should be noted that the recommendations made herein with regard to the use of therapeutic agents, varying disease states, and assessments of risk, are based upon a combination of clinical trials, current guidelines, and the clinical practice experience of the participating presenters. The drug selection and dosage information presented in this activity are believed to be accurate. However, participants are urged to consult all available data on products or procedures before using them in clinical practice.
 
Peer Review Statement:  In order to help ensure content objectivity, independence, and fair balance, and to ensure that the content is aligned with the interest of the public, RBHS has resolved all potential and real conflicts of interest through content review by non-conflicted, qualified reviewers. This activity was peer-reviewed for relevance, accuracy of content, and balance of presentation by: Stephanie Marcello PhD, Laura Burns, LCSW.

Copyright © 2025-2026. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and University Behavioral Health Care. All rights reserved including translation into other languages. No part of these activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from RBHS and UBHC.

If a participant or potential participant would like to express a concern about their continuing education experience with this Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care activity, they may contact UBHC Center for Continuing Education - CCE at [email protected]

Professional Contact Hours

Please Note – to receive documentation for continuing education, all participants must:
* Arrive on time and be present for the entire session each day. 
* Sign in on time at the beginning of the program each day.
* Submit a completed evaluation form and certificate request with signed attestation and code at the end of the program.
* Partial credits will not be issued to participants arriving late or leaving early.

At any point in the process, if you discover that you will be unable to attend the full training, please email [email protected] as soon as possible so that the space we have reserved for you can be made available for another participant. Those who sign in on time and are present for the entire 5 days of training will receive documentation of attendance. For further information, to have any grievances addressed, or to request special accommodation for disability (ADA), please call 732-235-9298. For your comfort, we suggest bringing a sweater as room temperatures may vary.

ASWB ACE Credit (Clinical) (29.00 hours), General Attendance (29.00 hours), LPC/LAC: NBCC CE Clock Hours (29.00 hours), NJDCA-MFT Recertification Credits (29.00 hours), Psychologist: APA CE Credits (29.00 hours)

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

No financial relationships require mitigation. 

All individuals who affect the content of continuing education activities are required to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. The activity faculty are further required to disclose discussion of off-label/investigational uses in their presentations.   These disclosures will be made to the audience at the time of the activity. There is no commercial support for this activity.

There are no sponsors for this activity.