The continuing education landscape for mental health professionals has become increasingly dominated by venture capital-backed corporations, but a new player is taking a different approach. AFFIRM Mental Health, launched in January 2024 by licensed therapist Shaina Siber, LCSW, offers a boutique alternative designed specifically with practicing clinicians in mind.
Unlike larger corporate platforms, AFFIRM operates on a simple principle: education created by therapists, for therapists. The platform provides multiple learning formats including live virtual trainings, self-study webinars, and CE-accredited podcast episodes through The Affirming Minds Podcast. This multi-platform approach allows mental health professionals to earn continuing education credits while commuting, exercising, or during other daily activities.
“I want therapists to have the energy and support to take care of themselves, their clients, and the communities they serve,” says Shaina Siber-Sanderowitz, LCSW, the platform’s founder. “My hope is that therapists will continue tuning into The Affirming Minds Podcast or checking out our webinars—even after they’ve met their CE requirements—because so many therapists are deeply dedicated to making a meaningful difference. We aim to support that passion in a way that’s affordable and convenient—because what therapists don’t have a lot of is spare time.”
The platform’s focus extends beyond individual practitioners. AFFIRM offers bulk annual memberships specifically designed for group practices, agencies, and community mental health organizations. These institutional memberships enable entire clinical teams to access affordable continuing education, helping organizations invest in workforce development while addressing burnout—a persistent challenge in the mental health field.
AFFIRM’s educational content covers critical areas including evidence-based therapies, LGBTQ+ affirming care, culturally responsive treatment approaches, and trauma-informed practice. The platform maintains accreditation from major regulatory bodies including the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), and state boards for psychology and social work in New York.
The quality of AFFIRM’s programming has garnered recognition both from participants and professional organizations. In 2025, founder Shaina Siber was selected to receive the Champions of Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT). This honor, which will be officially presented at ABCT’s Annual Convention in November, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to advancing evidence-based psychological interventions and creating meaningful impact in the field.
Participant feedback reflects the platform’s emphasis on engaging, practical education. “I don’t know how 3 full hours passed without a moment of distraction or boredom or watching the clock. Completely fascinating, well-structured, great outline. So professional. Learned a lot. Fantastic teacher,” noted Julie A. List, LCSW, after completing a course on Interpersonal Therapy for grief and loss.
The boutique CE platform offers both monthly and annual membership options, providing flexibility for therapists at different stages of their careers and with varying CE requirements. The Affirming Minds Podcast, available on all major podcast platforms, extends the platform’s reach beyond paying members, offering mental health content to anyone interested in therapy and affirming care practices.
As the mental health field continues to evolve, platforms like AFFIRM represent a shift toward more personalized, practitioner-centered approaches to professional development. By maintaining independence from venture capital funding and corporate interests, the platform aims to keep its focus on what practicing therapists actually need: relevant, engaging education that fits into their demanding schedules while supporting both their professional growth and personal well-being.
For mental health organizations looking to support their clinical teams or individual therapists seeking flexible CE options, AFFIRM Mental Health offers an alternative to traditional corporate platforms—one built on the understanding that meaningful professional development goes beyond simply checking boxes for licensure requirements.