Collaborative Problem Solving® Advanced Concepts | July 2024 | CE / PDP

Advanced Concepts in Collaborative Problem Solving® (Level 2)

This 16-hour course is designed for individuals who have completed Essential Foundation (Level 1) and are interested in deepening their understanding and use of Collaborative Problem Solving®.

Think:Kids invites educators, residential program staff, mental health clinicians, parents, and anyone who is living with or helping kids to learn more about Collaborative Problem Solving, a trauma-informed and evidence-based approach that helps kids meet expectations, reduces concerning behavior, builds skills, and strengthens relationships with adults.

This course is conducted in-person over 3 sessions at Oregon State University 725 Southwest 26th Street, Corvallis, OR:

• Monday, July 22: 8:30am – 3:00pm PT
• Tuesday, July 23: 8:30am – 3:00pm PT
• Monday, July 24: 8:30am – 3:00pm PT

The Advanced Concepts (Level 2) course deepens skills at all phases of the Collaborative Problem Solving® approach and enhances implementation in the real world. Participants advance their skills by learning strategies for using the approach in the most challenging situations using real-life examples from their experiences. Participants learn through lectures, role-play, video examples, case presentations, and breakout groups. Upon completion of this course, graduates are eligible to apply to the Certification Course.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Assess different ways in which Plan B can be used (proactively, spontaneously, or urgently) depending on the situation.
• Complete CPS assessments for youth with minimal errors.
• Determine which Collaborative Problem Solving plan to use for each problem to be solved.
• Adapt Plan B to complex circumstances.
• Conduct Plan B when not directly involved in a situation.
• Engage in conversations about Collaborative Problem Solving with those who hold more conventional understandings about behavior.
• Conduct Plan B in group settings.

Tuition & Registration

Tuition includes breakfast each day and training materials. Registration closes two business days before the start of the course or if we have reached our maximum capacity.

• Individuals: $625 USD for all 3 sessions

• Groups of 5 or more: $565 USD each for all for sessions

Payment Policy: Credit/debit card is preferred for registration payment. Please email us at ThinkKidsInfo@Partners.org if you must pay by check/invoice.

Financial Assistance: If you require financial assistance, please apply for assistance by completing this form. Funds are limited, and the application does not guarantee an award. The application is due at least two weeks before the training starts.

Policies & Course Requirements

• Training Cancellation Policy: Non-refundable. Substitutions are permitted. Review our Cancelation and Refund Policy page >>
• Attendance: When registering, you are signing up for all sessions. Attendance is required for each day as the learning builds upon the previous session's content. All participants must join in person.
• Review our Training Policies page for information on requesting accessibility accommodations and submitting grievances >>

• Prerequisite: CPS Essential Foundation /Level 1 training. Please note: We recommend a minimum of 3 months between attending Level 1 and Level 2 training to allow for more understanding and practice of the model.

Think: Kids/MGH is an Accredited Provider of Continuing Education (CE) credits and Professional Development Points (PDP)

To earn CE credit, attendees must fully attend each session and complete a course evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 10 business days to attendees who meet these requirements. If you do not receive your certificate or if you have any questions, please contact us at thinkkidsinfo@mgh.harvard.edu.

• Educators: We are approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for 16 PDPs.
• Social Workers: This program has been approved for 16 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D92574.

• Licensed Mental Health Counselors: This program has been approved by MaMHCA/MCEAP for 16 CEs.
• Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Other: A certificate of attendance will be provided for 16 hours which can be submitted to the corresponding professional organization for consideration.

About Your Instructors

Heather Johnson, LCSW, is a Certified Trainer and Consultant and Director of Training with Think:Kids. Heather provides coaching and training to various individuals and organizations seeking to learn Collaborative Problem Solving and integrate the model within their professional practice and organizations. Heather has an outpatient therapy practice specializing in serving families who are struggling with their children’s behavior. Additionally, Heather has extensive experience as a school-based Behavior Specialist providing interventions for youth who struggle with the most challenging behavior related to emotional and behavioral disabilities, coaching and consultation to school and community service teams, and guiding best practice within the school district’s behavior management, discipline, and Special Education systems and policies. Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from Wheelock College in Boston, MA, and her Masters in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire.

Hallie Carpenter, EdS, NCSP is the Manager of Implementation and a Certified Trainer and Consultant for Think:Kids. She provides training and coaching to individuals and organizations seeking to learn and implement Collaborative Problem Solving within their systems. Hallie has worked for over a decade in educational settings as a behavior specialist, school psychologist, consultant, and adjunct instructor. She has had the opportunity to collaborate with individuals serving in various roles in schools and other agencies to work towards the common goal of improving outcomes for youth and families.

Hallie received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Linfield College and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology from Lewis and Clark College. She has been using CPS in her professional work and personal life for the past 10 years. In this time, she has observed firsthand the transformative power that comes from teaching others about the CPS approach. Specifically, how it encourages a more compassionate view of behavioral challenges and gives youth voice and ownership in their personal growth.

Jordan Spikes is the Manager of Curriculum and a Certified Trainer and Consultant at Think:Kids, providing training and coaching for individuals and organizations interested in implementing Collaborative Problem Solving in their systems. He earned a BS in Psychology from Oregon State University and has worked in the mental health and special education arenas as a front-line staff, coach, and administrator for more than 12 years.

With a goal of shifting mindsets away from conventional “people choosing to misbehave” to a neurobiologically-guided mindset of viewing behavioral challenges as a form of learning disorder, Jordan joins with educators, parents, and caregivers in the responsibility of teaching individuals the necessary skills to meet daily, real-world expectations.

Contact Us

Please contact us at ThinkKidsInfo@MGH.Harvard.edu with any questions or concerns.