When working with clients, we are often the guide for how to start and maintain small daily changes in their lives that lead to positive long-term therapeutic impacts. But what makes doing these healthy habits so hard? How do we help clients (and ourselves) do them consistently? This training will demystify habits and give practical, evidence-based strategies for adopting adaptive therapeutic and executive functioning skills. The training is based on the book ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
- Define what habits are and why they are important
- Identify and provide solutions for the challenges of building and maintaining adaptive skills
- Convey implications and considerations for neurodivergent clients
- Learn interventions to improve the client’s executive function skills and maintain adaptive habits
Social workers completing this course will receive 0 General recorded distance learning asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 0 hours of Ethics, Clinical, and General Skill Building continuing education training.
Course Format: This course is a recorded asynchronous distance learning course delivery with downloadable presentation slides and, if applicable, course supplemental handouts. The learner is required to complete an evaluation assessing the applicability of the course to meet their learning and development needs, and pass a quiz based on course content with a 70% or higher to achieve the CE certificate of completion. The learner is able to reset the test as needed until a satisfactory score is achieved. Once the learner has completed the evaluation and successfully passed the quiz, they will be able to return to their account dashboard and view/download their certificate.
Target Audience: Licensed Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists.
For all other questions not addressed, please visit our FAQs page.
Course Syllabus:
I. Foundations of Habit Formation
- Habits are routines or behaviors repeated regularly and often automatically
- Small daily actions compound over time to produce significant results
- The Habit Loop: cue, craving, response, reward
- Success is built on consistent, incremental behavior
II. Challenges in Building Adaptive Skills
- Immediate discomfort often outweighs delayed rewards
- Existing neural pathways reinforce old habits
- Lack of clear cues and vague intentions hinder follow-through
- The “Valley of Disappointment” and plateau of latent potential can demotivate clients
III. Systems-Based and Identity-Based Habits
- Systems focus on process, not just outcomes
- Identity-based habits: align actions with the person you want to become
- Each action is a “vote” for your desired identity
- Placebo effect reinforces the power of belief and mindset
IV. Neurodivergence and Executive Dysfunction
- Neurodivergent clients may experience habits as mentally effortful each time
- ADHD impacts motivation due to lack of dopamine with familiar behaviors
- Sensory experiences can enhance habit formation
- “All-or-nothing” thinking complicates success perception
V. Customizing Habits for Neurodivergent Clients
- Standard strategies may not work—customization is key
- Adjust cues, rewards, and sensory elements to match client needs
- Sleep hygiene, environment design, and visual cues as adaptive supports
- Emphasize flexibility and experimentation
VI. The 4 Laws of Behavior Change
- To build a habit: make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying
- To break a habit: make it invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying
- Use the habit loop to analyze and design intentional behaviors
- Align each law with cue, craving, response, and reward
VII. Habit Implementation Strategies
- Habit stacking: pair new habits with existing ones
- Environment > Motivation: structure space to support desired actions
- Two-minute rule: start with small, achievable actions
- Track progress visually and reward consistency
VIII. Dopamine and Motivation
- Anticipation of reward drives action more than reward itself
- Temptation bundling: pair fun tasks with less desirable ones
- Make habits feel like a privilege (“get to”) rather than a chore (“have to”)
- Satisfying rewards reinforce identity-based behavior
IX. Tools for Sustaining Habits
- Create friction for unwanted habits and remove barriers for adaptive ones
- Habit trackers and incentive charts for visual reinforcement
- Daily rituals and environment design promote consistency
- Gradual increases in challenge support flow and motivation
X. Integration and Client Application
- Encourage clients to build systems, not chase goals
- Focus on 1% improvements for sustainable change
- Reframe setbacks as data, not failure
- Help clients design personalized, flexible habit plans based on their identity and environment
Recording Date: 9/20/2024
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 0hrs General continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com