What Is The Zur Institute And How Can It Help You?

Ofer Zur Ph.D., was a soldier, mariner, deep-sea diver, oceanographer, philanthropist, adventurer, traveler, and limnologist who became a psychologist and opened an institute for online learning. With the help of a competent tech team, Israeli-born Zur launched the Zur Institute as a pioneering online school in 1995, in Sonoma, California. To date, it remains one of the major portals for continuous education (CE) and training, especially for US-based psychotherapists and other healthcare professionals. The Zur Institute supports a wide range of individuals in working toward their personal and professional goals and could help you, too.

How can the Zur Institute help psychotherapists?

• Board-approved, online CE programs are the major focus of the Zur Institute, helping thousands of healthcare professionals earn credit hours every year. You can see a list of board approvals at this link. Topics are numerous and diverse and include titles like trauma and PTSD, psychology of the web, diversity, diagnosis, and the DSM, to name but a few. Students can expect to find innovative and cutting-edge topics, such as Mindfulness and Meditation in Psychotherapeutic Practice. This introductory course looks at the science-backed inclusion of these integrative interventions into psychotherapy. Professionals are also invited to submit proposals for courses.

• CE credits can be earned online in only a few hours, with extra resources and learning materials available for free to help you save money. 

• Valuable advice is offered on how to manage the pitfalls of managed care regarding abuse and harm done to consumers and psychotherapists alike. 

• Education is given on how risk management can increase risk and decrease clinical effectiveness for psychotherapists. There is also information on how to ensure clinical integrity and quality care, including how to navigate a licensing board investigation. The Risky Business of Risk Management is a paper that forms part of a CE-accredited online course on Ethical Risk Management. There are guidelines on flexible approaches to clinical practice that make for more humane practices and critical thinking.

• Detailed guidelines show practitioners how to shift their focus from the DSM and pathology to practices that encourage health and wellness.

• Among the available practice tools is a package of 62 clinical forms. These essential clinical forms cover a variety of necessary divulgences, authorizations, and correspondence.  

If you’re interested in available courses, learn more by exploring the Zur Institute’s catalog. You can also learn about the Institute’s refund and exchange policies, resources (licensing board approvals, practice forms), accommodations for disabilities, ADA policy, grievance procedure, and overall mission by visiting the Contacting Zur Institute page. 

How can the Zur Institute's work help the general public?

• Psychotherapy teaching, consulting, and a critique of therapy

• Healthy living 

• Calling or vocation

• Love, marriage, infidelity, and

• PTSD, violence, and trauma recovery

• Growing old with dignity

• Death and dying

Seminars, lectures, and workshops cover topics such as:

• The Psychology Of Technology covers internet addiction, online gaming addiction, and cyber-wellness. This workshop encourages understanding of the psychology of the internet, assessment, intervention, and how to create a healthy balance.

• Shrinks on Screen: Portrayals of Therapists in Movies gives Zur's perspective on the way in which psychologists are portrayed and viewed, as well as informs the public on expectations and assumptions about these professionals in society.

• The Metaphor of Illness: Understanding the Meaning of Your "Dis-ease" is an experimental, didactic workshop that requires extensive personal work. It is aimed at both professionals who work with chronically ill or frequently diseased patients, and the public who experience chronic illness or frequent disease.

In all his work, Zur draws heavily on his journey and experiences to inform from a place of authenticity. His work is hallmarked by encouraging critical thinking and challenging commonly accepted and unquestioned beliefs and “truths.”

The Zur Institute also regularly sends out a Clinical Updates newsletter, which contains information on new offerings, tips for mental health professionals, and upcoming webinars.  

Zur's expert witness and forensic consultations

As part of the Institute's continuing education course offerings, Zur can be hired as an expert witness and forensic consultant, for which service he is uniquely qualified. You can contact Dr. Zur through his website. 

Individualized professional consultations

Zur also offers individual consultations for psychotherapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals on ethical and clinical issues. This service includes the following and more:

• Expert advice on how to make informed and ethical clinical decisions.

• Advice on how to think in ways that encourage and aid professionals through risk-benefit analysis.

• Guidance on how to manage unjust malpractice suits.

• Personalized and contextualized guidance from Zur on the standard of care as it applies in specific situations. These cover a plethora of topics such as boundary crossing and boundary violations, home visits, running a home office, bartering, therapy outside the office and adventure therapy, psychotherapist-patient sexual involvement, conflict of interest, the scope of practice, and so forth.

Zur Institute's customer feedback

Since 1995, the Zur Institute has helped thousands of professionals and the general public, accumulating high praise for its quality of courses and its personalized approach to them.

Claire D., Aurora, CO - As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I am always looking for quality continuing education that is relevant to my practice. I can say without question, that Zur Institute offers the most broad-based and research-supported courses available for counselors, therapists, and psychologists of any online provider today. And aside from great courses, Zur has many superb resources for all in the mental health field.

Jen K., Oakland, CA - A simple and economical way to get online CEUs that meet the CA BBS standards. I'm giving them five stars because of the outstanding customer service. Any time I've had a question, I've got an almost immediate response. I highly recommend this site!

S.E. (Ph.D.), New York, US - Hello Dr. Dave, Dropping you a note of deep appreciation for the courses on Jungian Psychotherapy from the Zur Institute. I am a military officer and psychologist starting my path in Jungian Analysis after becoming rather disillusioned by the evidenced-based zeitgeist dominating current practice. I am a war veteran (Afghanistan with the Marines) and currently direct a clinic geared to stop the suicidal behavior in soldiers. For my healing, Jungian therapy has been the only method I've found that has helped me personally after trying everything else! Being in a remote location (Fort Drum in Northern NY state) and having three disabled children has limited my ability to find training and your course helped me a great deal… so thank you very much. On a slight aside, I've begun incorporating Jungian concepts to the treatment of suicidal soldiers with rather remarkable success. Between my analysis and your program, I've been able to put some impactful therapeutic methods into place that alters the suicidal mindset very successfully. Thanks again!

I.L., L.M.F.T., California, US - What I love about your program is you have to work at knowing the information. Not like others, that kind of guides you to find one question after another in a row… I am enjoying your training. Especially since I have big trouble with memory. But the way your program is set up, I learn the hard way - by real studying. That way I could keep that information wedged in my brain, to use it upon request or when I need it. Big thank you!

S.C, L.M.F.T., California, US - Hello Dr. Zur, I cannot thank you enough for eliciting empathy for my generation during your "Ethics with Soul" workshop at CAMFT's annual conference! This was the 1st time I have felt supported and validated as a newly licensed MFT and as a millennial. I am so grateful that a seasoned mental health professional like yourself can understand us with curiosity rather than judgment. I am also so glad that you're able to advocate for us because so many younger people have been put down so much that they've given up. I want to join with you in advocating for the "young ones," especially when talking to the older generation. I appreciate the work you've done and continue to do. Thanks again!

Online therapy with BetterHelp

Inquiry and learning can go far in aiding a person's journey to healing emotionally and psychologically. However, knowledge and attending courses are not always enough; sometimes, therapy or counseling is also necessary. BetterHelp is well-positioned to assist people in crisis, with qualified and trained mental health professionals available online.

Online therapy is often an affordable option compared to in-person sessions because clients are not required to travel for an appointment. Moreover, online therapy is more available for clients, as they can join a session from the comfort of their homes.

Online therapy can be utilized in a variety of cases for many different mental health concerns, from autism
to schizophrenia. The World Psychiatry Association even found “considerable support” for internet-based therapy when dealing with common mental health disorders. This study found that online therapeutic interventions produced similar outcomes as face-to-face therapy.