Grow With Sweetser: New Sweetser Training Catalog is here

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Invest in yourself. Grow with Sweetser!

The latest Sweetser Training Institute Professional Development Workshop Catalog for the 2026-2027 training season is hot off the presses! Sweeter’s training team has worked hard to cultivate a range of offerings that feature innovative trainings and workshops designed to support your professional growth, strengthen clinical skills, and develop leadership capacity across our organization and out in the community.

New Catalog. New Skills. New Possibilities.

NEW for Clinicians:

Explore new approaches to client engagement and treatment through courses such as:

  • Tips for Testifying in the Legal System
  • SoulCollage®
  • The Platinum Thread: Taking a Client from Assessment to Discharge
  • Spiritual Dimensions in Clinical Practice
  • Understanding the Basics of Hypnosis in Clinical Practice

NEW Leadership Development Workshops:

Strengthen your leadership skills with practical, interactive trainings focused on team development and communication:

  • Building the Bench: Succession Planning for Sustainable Leadership
  • The Art of Delegation: Building Trust, Accountability & Stronger Teams
  • Communicating with Impact: Strengthening Employee Communication as a Leader

NEW Youth-Focused Workshops:

Build your knowledge and resources for supporting children and adolescents through new workshops, including:

  • Anxiety in Schools: Collaboration and Treatment
  • High Conflict Family Therapy
  • Working with Youth Who Demonstrate Problematic Sexualized Behaviors (PSB)

Introducing a NEW Substance Use Disorder Certificate Program

Our Institute is also launching a new Substance Use Disorder Certificate Program designed to help non-LADC clinicians build confidence and competence in treating clients with substance use disorders. Participants complete a series of core courses and an elective to earn their certificate.

Core Courses:

  • Motivational Interviewing & Stage of Change
  • Treating Substance Use Disorders
  • Substance Use: Effects and Awareness
  • Understanding Substance Use Disorders in Special Populations

Electives:

  • Neuroscience of Addiction: The Impact of Substance Use Disorder on the Brain
  • Recovery Planning and Self-Help/Peer Resources

View the full catalog below or use this link: https://publuu.com/flip-book/1084386/2567994 

Click here to register for courses.

New Murals at Brunswick CCBHC Inspire Hope

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

We’re spreading hope in Brunswick—one wall at a time.

The halls of our Brunswick Hope & Healing Center have been transformed thanks to the talent and vision of our own Art Educator, Nick Blunier, who designed and painted a series of inspiring murals throughout our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).

From the moment clients walk through the doors, they are welcomed by a powerful reminder that Recovery Is Possible. As they make their way to appointments, they are surrounded by a vibrant Maine-inspired mural anchored by one simple but meaningful word: HOPE.

These murals do more than brighten the space; they reflect the heart of the work happening inside our clinic every day. They serve as a visual reminder that healing is possible, recovery is real, and no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
At Sweetser, hope isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we strive to make visible. Thanks to Nick’s incredible work, that message now greets and inspires everyone who enters our Brunswick Hope & Healing Center.

Burnt Ends Barbecue Community Day

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Thursday, August 27th
11:00am – 8:00pm
120 Center St., Auburn, ME

Eat local. Give back. Make a difference.

On August 27, Burnt Ends Barbecue is donating 10% of all in-house and online sales to support Sweetser’s mental health mission. Gather your friends and family and join us for a delicious way to support mental health for Mainers all across the state.

Success Was Teed Up with Chipping Fore a Cause

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

The Chipping Fore a Cause golf tournament brought community members together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and community at Pine Hollow Par 3 in Sanford. The event raised support for Sweetser’s mental health and recovery services, helping provide critical care and resources to children, adults, and families across Maine.

Below are our sponsors & supporters who made the day special:

  • Pine Hollow Little Par 3 Golf Course
  • Partner’s Bank
  • Sanford Country Club
  • Eldredge Lumber – Sanford
  • C.A. Plante & Sons
  • Elks Lodge #1470 – Sanford
  • Central Furniture & Appliances
  • Matt Dupuis
  • Labbe Electric
  • Sanford Sound
  • Shain’s of Maine
  • The Law Offices of Jessie Krall
  • Gabrielle Brackett & Joanne St. Amand Memorial
  • Sweetser Facilities
  • Willie Dumont
  • Mike Nason
  • National Distributors
  • Roy Boyz
  • Chris Watkins

We’d also like to extend a special thank you to the following for their tireless support and generosity:

  • Denise Labbe
  • Marise Anagnost
  • Bruce & Karen St. Amand

Putt for a Purpose Sweetser Fundraiser

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sunday, August 16th
11:00am – 9:00pm
Golfer’s Crossing Mini Golf, Rockport, ME

Visit Golfer’s Crossing Mini Golf & Ice Cream on August 16 for Putt for a Purpose. From open to close, 50% of all mini golf and ice cream sales will be donated to Sweetser to support critical mental health services.

Bring your family, challenge your friends, treat yourself to some ice cream, and make every putt count!

Helping the Biddeford Community Heal

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

In the devastating aftermath of the deadly shooting in Biddeford, Sweetser stepped forward as a vital pillar of support, partnering with the City of Biddeford to provide free CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) community support sessions at the JR Martin Community Center and The Reach.

Recognizing the critical need to connect grieving and traumatized residents with immediate mental health care, Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, Joanne Grant, actively engaged with local media outlets WMTW Channel 8 and WGME Channel 13 to broadcast the availability of these vital resources. Joanne emphasized that Sweetser’s critical incident stress management team is on the ground to assess emotional stability and, most importantly, listen to those carrying the weight of this tragedy.

Biddeford residents, directly or indirectly impacted by this tragedy, can continue to receive free access to our team for ongoing support by reaching out to us at info@sweetser.org. It’s another way Sweetser is meeting the moment after the tragedy.

WMTW Story:

WGME Story:

Sweetser Voted Best Mental Health Care in Biddeford/Saco

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

We have some incredible news to celebrate: Sweetser has been voted Best Mental Health Care (Non-Profit) for the greater Biddeford/Saco region by BestOfSurveys.com! While this award bears Sweetser’s organization’s name, the honor belongs entirely to our staff. Every single day, their dedication, compassion, and expertise change lives across this community.

This recognition is a direct reflection of the seamless, collective effort across our entire Saco campus:

  • Our Direct Care & Clinical Teams: From supporting youth and families in our K-12 school programs, child residential care, Child ACT, and child/adult CRU, to guiding adults through our PNMI, peer services, OPTIONS/Recovery coaching, and responding with our mobile crisis team, your life-saving work is the heartbeat of our mission.
  • Our CCBHC & Specialized Teams: Your integrated, community-focused approach continues to elevate the standard of care we provide every single day.
  • Our Behind-the-Scenes Heroes: To our administrative, facilities, and operational staff working tirelessly throughout York County, this award wouldn’t have happened without you. Your support ensures our clinical programs get the support they need to thrive and ensure healing can take place in safe and welcoming spaces.

Raptor Falls Mini Golf Sweetser Fundraiser

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Saturday, August 15th
10:00am – 10:00pm
Raptor Falls Mini Golf, Arundel, ME

Join us at Raptor Falls for a fun day of putting for a purpose! ⛳🍦

For every ticket purchased, $1 will be donated to Sweetser to support mental health services and programs across Maine.

Come enjoy a round of mini golf, treat yourself to some ice cream, and help make a difference in our community. We’ll see you on the course! 💙

Sweetser on Lewiston Podcast

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was featured on the latest episode of Build. Lead. Thrive., the LA Metro Chamber’s podcast highlighting the people driving economic and community vitality across Androscoggin County. Jayne shares her leadership journey, her passion for expanding access to behavioral health services, and her vision for strengthening the mental health of communities across Maine. The conversation also touches on the recent merger between Sweetser and Common Ties Mental Health Services, a significant step forward in increasing access to comprehensive mental health, substance use, housing, and recovery supports for individuals and families in the Lewiston area.

You can listen to the full episode below:

Jayne Van Bramer | Podcast Episode on RSS.com