DMH UCLA Public Mental Health Partnership

Music for a Sound Mind & Body: Incorporating Music Wellness into Practice, Part 1

This dynamic, resourceful 2-part workshop will empower providers to bring art into their practice. Facilitators will share music-based techniques from their work at Urban Voices Project, Colburn School, and Creative Arts Therapies. We will explore musical ways to address Social Emotional Awareness (SEL), Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), nervous system resets, wellness practices for mind & body, and overall self-care. Music eases interpersonal connections because it reminds us who we are...

Justice Involved Mental Health: Combatting Recidivism, Part 1

The purpose of this training is to introduce treatment providers to the Justice Involved Mental Health (JIMH) population, specifically parolees, and how to provide effective treatment. It is our responsibility to keep the community safe with two primary goals in mind: reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and combat recidivism. There are several aspects regarding treatment provision for parolees to successfully accomplish these goals. The experience of incarceration is traumatic, as such our i...

Justice Involved Mental Health: Combatting Recidivism, Part 2

The purpose of this training is to introduce treatment providers to the Justice Involved Mental Health (JIMH) population, specifically parolees, and how to provide effective treatment. It is our responsibility to keep the community safe with two primary goals in mind: reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and combat recidivism. There are several aspects regarding treatment provision for parolees to successfully accomplish these goals. The experience of incarceration is traumatic, as such our i...

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Training, Part 4

Critical Time Intervention is an evidence-based practice that supports vulnerable populations through challenging times of transition. This model relies upon community integration, resource mobilization, and prioritizes transition-related activities. Transitions can include community reintegration after incarceration, moving from the streets to housing, and other changes that often impact those served by homeless outreach teams and Full Service Partnership programs. Participants can expect t...

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Training, Part 3

Critical Time Intervention is an evidence-based practice that supports vulnerable populations through challenging times of transition. This model relies upon community integration, resource mobilization, and prioritizes transition-related activities. Transitions can include community reintegration after incarceration, moving from the streets to housing, and other changes that often impact those served by homeless outreach teams and Full Service Partnership programs. Participants can expect t...

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Training, Part 2

Critical Time Intervention is an evidence-based practice that supports vulnerable populations through challenging times of transition. This model relies upon community integration, resource mobilization, and prioritizes transition-related activities. Transitions can include community reintegration after incarceration, moving from the streets to housing, and other changes that often impact those served by homeless outreach teams and Full Service Partnership programs. Participants can expect t...

Critical Time Intervention (CTI) Training, Part 1

Critical Time Intervention is an evidence-based practice that supports vulnerable populations through challenging times of transition. This model relies upon community integration, resource mobilization, and prioritizes transition-related activities. Transitions can include community reintegration after incarceration, moving from the streets to housing, and other changes that often impact those served by homeless outreach teams and Full Service Partnership programs. Participants can expect t...

Medications in Serious Mental Illness: What Non-Prescribers Need to Know

Psychopharmacology for those that experience severe and persistent mental illness is a complex issue. In this training, we will begin by discussing the barriers to medication adherence. Specifically, the side effects of medications themselves, the historical impact of unethical medical practices and research, and the difficulties in building trust with our clients as a result. Acknowledging the common misbeliefs that are held about medications, which are often exacerbated by symptoms of ment...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Informed Interventions for Psychosis, Part 2

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has often been utilized to help those who struggle with intense experiences of emotion dysregulation. Yet, when one thinks of psychosis, an experience that can greatly disrupt a person’s ability to engage in emotional regulation, DBT is not commonly thought of as a therapeutic intervention. By examining the four modules of DBT (distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness), we will learn why DBT-informed concepts ...

Dialectical Behavior Therapy-Informed Interventions for Psychosis, Part 1

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has often been utilized to help those who struggle with intense experiences of emotion dysregulation. Yet, when one thinks of psychosis, an experience that can greatly disrupt a person’s ability to engage in emotional regulation, DBT is not commonly thought of as a therapeutic intervention. By examining the four modules of DBT (distress tolerance, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness), we will learn why DBT-informed concepts ...

Recovery-Oriented Transitions from Full Service Partnership

This 90-minute training focuses on how clients transition out of intensive clinical programs like FSP. It examines the layered issues underlying transitions out of intensive programs, from a graduation when a client’s goals have been achieved to a disengagement in which a client may have an ambivalent separation from the program. It will review the scientific literature on transitions from Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management programs, discuss strategies for decision-m...

Medication-Assisted Treatment Approaches for Alcohol and Opioid Use Disorder (MAT-A)

The purpose of this three hour live interactive training is to provide participants with a detailed overview of medications that have been shown to be effective as a component of the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders. Topics will include: the context for medication assisted treatment (positive and negative perceptions), the epidemiology of alcohol and opioid use and dependence (user demographics), a review of the various classes of opioids, an overview of each medication, its ind...

Stimulants and their Impact on Brain and Behavior (Stimulant Overview)

This 3-hour live virtual training will provide participants with introductory level instruction on stimulant use disorders. The training is intended for any clinicians and administrators who provide care to people who use central nervous system stimulants. The training will be divided into three sections. Part 1 will focus on Stimulants – What are they and who uses them?; Part 2 will focus on the Impact of Stimulant Use on the Brain and Body; and Part 3 will focus on Effective Treatment Appr...

Effecting Change through the Use of MI: Interactive Training for Skill Development (Intro to MI)

Motivational interviewing, a treatment approach developed by William Miller, has been well established as an effective way to promote behavior change in individuals across a range of health settings, including improving engagement and retention. This face-to-face training course requires previous training and experience using motivational interviewing techniques in clinical practice. This experiential MI Skill Development training will focus on ways to help clients engage in change talk in o...

DSM-5 Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders: What Has Changed? (DSM-5)

This training is designed to assist both clinical and administrative staff in making the transition to the DSM-5. The DSM-5 revises the classifications and diagnostic criteria of substance use and psychiatric disorders with, in some cases, substantial reconceptualization from DSM-IV-TR; for example, the elimination of the multiaxial diagnostic system and Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores. This training will focus on a detailed overview of these changes, including a crosswalk from...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Relapse Prevention Strategies

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has become a mainstay of evidence-based SUD treatment. The purpose of this three hour virtual live training is to provide participants with a detailed overview of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relapse prevention (RP) strategies, the available resources and encourage use of these strategies in daily clinical practice. This training will be presented in three parts, covering (1) the underlying principles of CBT and RP, as behavioral interventions use...

Substance Use Disorders 101 (SUD 101)

This training will provide information on the acute and chronic effects and consequences of psychoactive substances commonly used by clients, patients, and consumers. The training will introduce participants to the epidemiology, neurobiology, and behavioral indicators of substance misuse. This training will conceptualize Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnostic and assessment considerations in identifying functional impairments. The training will detail intoxication and withdrawal symptoms fo...

Co-Occurring Disorders (COD 101)

This training will provide background information on the consequences of substances commonly used by consumers and will introduce participants to the epidemiology and prevalence, and neurobiology of co-occurring disorders. Participants will also learn about screening, assessment and diagnosis of co- occurring disorders, and how to develop behavioral intervention strategies for those with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders and chronic medical conditions that frequently co-...

MI Techniques for Discussing COVID-19 Vaccination with Clients and Colleagues

This training is designed to help mental health and homeless service providers guide discussion with clients and supervisees about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. It will increase participants’ understanding of potential factors related to vaccine hesitancy and highlight motivational interviewing skills to promote collaborative communication between providers and their clients and supervisees. The training will include an opportunity to apply motivational interviewing tools to vaccine-relate...

De-escalation of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

This 2-hour course will address strategies to stabilize vicious cycles that lead to imminent suicide risk.  An organizing model will be presented to illustrate how perceptions of thwarted belongingness and burdensomeness can increase the desire to die.  The model will also illustrate how an acquired capability to commit suicide can lead to more lethal attempts.  Points within the model that present a risk for escalation will be discussed, with attention to risks within the LGBT+ community. S...

De-escalation of Anger-Driven Risk

Anger, escalation, and conflict put the safety of our clients and others around them at risk and can lead to long-term interpersonal, legal, and health consequences. This 2-hour course will address strategies for preventing escalation, intervening with escalated clients, treating anger issues, and managing conflict. The training will introduce participants to validated measures for recognizing and measuring anger to assess both client risk and improvement throughout treatment. We will consid...

How to Successfully Transition from Clinician to Supervisor

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to: Use different tools to manage projects and people; Know how to effectively direct employees from development to deliverable; Gracefully transition from clinician to supervisor.

Identifying the Dynamics around Difficult Conversations

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to: Identify kinds of dynamics in play in difficult work conversations; Identify our areas of sensitivity around difficult conversations; Prepare for and practice a difficult conversation. 

Safety and Crisis Prevention Intervention and Response Part 2

Part 2 is focused on De-Escalation. This training is geared toward community/public mental health staff who provide services to individuals in field-based/outpatient mental health settings. This training reviews components pertinent to safety practices and crisis intervention/prevention practices. Common issues associated with providing mental health services in street-based outreach to homeless, home visits and urban crime-ridden communities are to be covered. Also included are best practic...

Safety and Crisis Prevention Intervention and Response Part 1

This training is geared toward community/public mental health staff who provide services to individuals in field-based/outpatient mental health settings. This training reviews components pertinent to safety practices and crisis intervention/prevention practices. Common issues associated with providing mental health services in street-based outreach to homeless, home visits and urban crime-ridden communities are to be covered. Also included are best practices for personal space awareness, sit...

How to Facilitate Effective Meetings

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to: Apply communication strategies to the comprehensive planning and implementation of meetings; Employ facilitation practices to conduct effective, time-bound, and task-focused meetings; Reiterate meeting outcomes, action items, and staff assignments to enforce ongoing communication and collaboration outside the meeting setting.

CBT for Psychosis: Symptom Specific Interventions

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy’s utilization for treatment of psychosis is an evidence-based treatment that is becoming an integral part of mental health care. This training will focus on symptom specific treatments in correlation to CBT for Psychosis, specifically hallucinations, delusions, and negative symptoms. We will discuss addressing maladaptive thoughts and belief systems by identifying core beliefs and schemas that impact cognitive distortions and in turn worsen negative self-talk. Th...

Understanding the Stress Response

Presented by Danielle Cameron, ACSW, MSW. Understanding the Stress Response is a training geared towards developing a better comprehension of how and why we respond to stress in certain ways. The training starts with a description of the various types of stress that most people experience. Two key components of the brain's stress response system (amygdala and hypothalamus) are introduced. Two important chemicals that are involved in the stress response - adrenaline and cortisol – are also di...

FSP Training Collaboratives: Harm Reduction Part 3

Day 3 will focus on harm reduction’s practical application. Topics will include safer substance use strategies and resources, overdose prevention, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and COVID-19 considerations. To integrate this learning, participants will engage in vignette-based exercises utilizing a Drug-Set-Setting tool to identify harm reduction intervention targets. This training day will also review the application of harm reduction beyond substance use (sexual safety, Housing First...

Goal Setting, Decision Making, and Prioritization

In this training, attendees will learn how to create a mission and vision for themselves and their work. They will also learn about the importance of setting strategic aims that will help them to set goals and prioritize their workload.

Decision Making, Prioritization, and Goal Setting

By the end of this training, attendees will be able to: Describe the relationship between goal setting, prioritization and decision making; Identify strategies for goal setting and prioritization; Understand the environment that facilitates good decision making and steps of making good decisions.

HOME Target Population & Conservatorship Pilot Candidates

This training was designed to take a closer look at the target population HOME serves and to discuss which individuals would be a good fit for the Outpatient Conservatorship Pilot.

FSP Training Collaboratives: Harm Reduction Part 2

Part 2 will begin with a review of the stages of change model and Motivational Interviewing, as critical for continued engagement and goal-setting with clients around substance use. These are contextualized as two components of a Harm Reduction Psychotherapy approach, which the training will proceed to expand on by teaching harm reduction and CBT-based skills via a clinical scenario. Participants will learn about concepts such as “dignity of risk” and Abstinence Violation Effect, and their i...

Creative Interventions & Common Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Work w/ Those w/ Severe Mental Illness by Elizabeth Bromley, MD, PhD

This ninety-minute training will use a videotaped vignette and a series of dialogic sessions to explore a complicated clinical dilemma encountered by one homeless outreach team. Learners will be encouraged to identify the core ethical and legal dilemmas raised by the scenario including the tension between beneficence and autonomy and the mandate to offer treatment to individuals in the least restrictive environment. Additional issues raised by the scenario include the ethical implications of...

Creative Interventions & Common Ethical Dilemmas in Clinical Work w/ Those w/ Severe Mental Illness

Presented by Elizabeth Bromley, MD, PhD. This ninety-minute training will use a videotaped vignette and a series of dialogic sessions to explore a complicated clinical dilemma encountered by one homeless outreach team. Learners will be encouraged to identify the core ethical and legal dilemmas raised by the scenario including the tension between beneficence and autonomy and the mandate to offer treatment to individuals in the least restrictive environment. Additional issues raised by the sce...

FSP Training Collaboratives: Harm Reduction Part 1 by Elizabeth Mackey, LMSW and David Haynik, LCSW

On Day 1, this course begins by defining harm reduction and describing its historical, cultural, and political context in the HIV/AIDS crisis and the evolution of criminalization of drugs in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the War on Drugs’ role in furthering systemic racism and stigma. Various theoretical understandings of and treatment approaches to substance use will be reviewed in comparison to harm reduction’s principles and aims. From this background, the subjectivity ...

Homeless Services for Individuals with Psychosis: Strategies for Engagement and Assessment by Julea McGhee, MD, MPH

Strategies for Assessment and Engagement of Homeless Individuals With Psychosis

 Presented by Julea McGhee, MD, MPH. Understanding the symptoms of psychosis are a crucial part of outreach and engagement, especially with those that are experiencing homelessness. In this training, we will focus first on assessing psychosis, in particular as to how it impacts one’s speech, behavior, thought processes, and decision making. We will also highlight the importance of noting one’s appearance, behavior, and environment when engaging in street outreach as another core component of...

Recovery Oriented Transitions from FSP

Presented by Elizabeth Bromley, MD, PhD. This training focuses on how clients transition out of intensive clinical programs like FSP. It examines the layered issues underlying transitions out of intensive programs, from a graduation when a client’s goals have been achieved to a disengagement in which a client may have an ambivalent separation from the program. It will review the scientific literature on transitions from Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management programs, di...

Recovery Oriented Transitions from FSP by Elizabeth Bromley, MD, PhD

This 90-minute training focuses on how clients transition out of intensive clinical programs like FSP. It examines the layered issues underlying transitions out of intensive programs, from a graduation when a client’s goals have been achieved to a disengagement in which a client may have an ambivalent separation from the program. It will review the scientific literature on transitions from Assertive Community Treatment and Intensive Case Management programs, discuss strategies for decision-m...

Crisis Intervention and Telehealth by Jean Lundquist, LCSW

Crisis Intervention is a clinical skillset that is even more pertinent during the current COVID-19 climate. This training will detail the utilization of the Roberts 7 Stage Model for Crisis Intervention in the context of telehealth. We will also focus on evidence based practice interventions to supplement the model. Finally, we will take time to discuss application of the model within your practice, cultivating a space of shared learning.

Crisis Intervention and Telehealth

Presented by Jean Lundquist, LCSW. Crisis Intervention is a clinical skillset that is even more pertinent during the current COVID-19 climate. This training will detail the utilization of the Roberts 7 Stage Model for Crisis Intervention in the context of telehealth. We will also focus on evidence based practice interventions to supplement the model. Finally, we will take time to discuss application of the model within your practice, cultivating a space of shared learning.

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 3: Treatment Considerations Throughout the Lifespan

Presented by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT. While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirma...

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 3: Treatment Considerations Throughout the Lifespan by by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT

While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirmative treatment practices. You will also...

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 2: Working with Microaggressions, Privilege and Minority Stress by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT

While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirmative treatment practices. You will also...

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 2: Working with Microaggressions, Privilege and Minority Stress

Presented by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT. While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirma...

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 1: An Overview of the Community, Mental Health Disparities and Treatment

Presented by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT. While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirma...

Working with the Transgender and Non-Binary Population Part 1: An Overview of the Community, Mental Health Disparities and Treatment by Jake Rostovsky, MA, LMFT

While many mental health clinicians and social service workers would like to think they are able to work with the transgender and non-binary (TGNB) community, there is often a lack of knowledge around what is considered "best practice. Affirmative care goes beyond being "knowledge" about a client’s TGNB status. This training will give an overview of terminology used within the community, mental health disparities affecting the population and key affirmative treatment practices. You will also...

Writing Letters of Support for Transgender & Non-binary Individuals by Aydin Olson-Kennedy, LCSW

Are you interested in writing surgical letters of support for your client's but unsure if you're qualified? Or maybe you're uncertain about what needs to be included in letters, or perhaps you feel conflicted about the role of informed consent and your professional liability. If so, this workshop is for you. To better understand the current requirements for letters, we will begin by looking at the past and how letters of recommendation from mental health providers began. We will define what ...

Writing Letters of Support for Transgender & Non-binary Individuals

Presented by Aydin Olson-Kennedy, LCSW. Are you interested in writing surgical letters of support for your client's but unsure if you're qualified? Or maybe you're uncertain about what needs to be included in letters, or perhaps you feel conflicted about the role of informed consent and your professional liability. If so, this workshop is for you. To better understand the current requirements for letters, we will begin by looking at the past and how letters of recommendation from mental heal...