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Harm Reduction

for Adults with Serious Mental Illness

code
Self-Paced, Online
Fee: $0 (Members); $40 (Nonmembers)
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Register

Course Description

This training is designed for professionals working with adults experiencing serious mental illness (SMI) and substance use challenges. It offers a practical introduction to harm reduction principles and strategies and safer use practices. Participants will explore the Stages of Change framework and learn how to integrate harm reduction with Motivational Interviewing techniques - focusing on values, goal-setting, and client engagement. Developed for human services professionals, this course engages learners through interactive modules, periodic knowledge checks, and practice activities. Individuals who successfully complete the course, including passing all module quizzes, will receive 2 hours of continuing education.

Learning Objectives: 

  • Define substance use disorder
  • Define harm reduction and identify two harm reduction strategies to support clients in reducing substance-related harms
  • Outline steps to integrate harm reduction services into their practice through direct delivery or community partnerships.
  • Understand the Stages of Change, the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing (MI), and harm reduction practices to enhance engagement and readiness for change
  • Explore values clarification, goal-setting, and treatment planning aligned with harm reduction principles
Course Outline:

Module 1: Applying a Harm Reduction Approach to Clinical Work (1:10:24)
  • Chapter 1: Substance Use and Substance Use Disorder (36:18)
  • Chapter 2: Defining Harm Reduction (15:19)
  • Chapter 3: Applying Harm Reduction in Clinical Care (18:47)
  • Substance Use Interviews (supplemental resource)
Module 2: Using Harm Reduction Practices to Help Manage Substance Use (41:16)
  • Chapter 1: Understanding Stages of Change (8:23)
  • Chapter 2: Goal Development Informed by Motivational Interviewing (13:37)
  • Chapter 3: Utilizing the Drug - Set - Setting Framework (19:16)
  • Case Vignette Activity and Reflection
Course: 1:51:40 + 16 quiz questions = 2.0 Continuing Education Hours

About the Trainer

Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH

Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH

Dr. Salisbury-Afshar is board certified in family medicine, preventive medicine/public health and addiction medicine and her expertise lies at the intersection of these fields. She has over 14 years of clinical experiencing providing primary care and addiction treatment services to underserved populations, particularly individuals experiencing homelessness and those with criminal legal involvement. She is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and provides clinical services, teaches, and participates in research related to substance use disorders.
Tim Devitt, Psy.D., MSEd., LCPC, CADC

Tim Devitt, Psy.D., MSEd., LCPC, CADC

Tim has a 35+ year commitment to providing and leading mental health and substance use services with an emphasis on harm reduction practices, including integrated mental health and substance use treatment, permanent supporting housing, assertive community treatment, and substance use outpatient and intensive outpatient programming. Tim has presented nationally and co-authored 19 peer-reviewed journal articles and a book chapter on the integration of evidence-based practices to best meet the needs ot people with substance use disorders and serious mental illness. Tim is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), lecturer for 14 years at the University of Chicago, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice and board member for Edna's Circle, a harm reduction housing program being developed on the West Side of Chicago.