Conversations That Matter: Motivational Interviewing For Suicide Prevention

This 3-hour training provides clinicians with foundational skills in Motivational Interviewing (MI) to support individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. Participants will explore how MI principles can be applied to foster hope, strengthen a person's intrinsic motivation for change, and navigate ambivalence about living.

Through a mix of didactic instruction, role-plays, and practical exercises, attendees will build confidence in using MI techniques to engage clients effectively, honor their autonomy, and guide them toward life-affirming decisions.

3 CEs available to NYS LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMSWs, LCATS , NYS Licensed Psychologists and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts provided by Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC upon successful completion of training.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

-describe the core principles of Motivational Interviewing and explain their relevance to suicide prevention conversations.

-identify and respond to "change talk" and "sustain talk" in the context of ambivalence about living.

-demonstrate key MI skills, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summarizations (OARS), to engage clients struggling with suicidal ideation in compassionate and supportive manner.

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds/credits will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at info@hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Jimmy Portner has been a Social Worker in mental health and substance use for 20 years, focusing on advancing Evidence-Based Practices. He is accomplished in Motivational Interviewing (MI), clinical settings, teaching, and research, bringing over a decade of leadership experience in the National MI VA program.

A member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), Jimmy has extensive expertise in the core components of MI, fidelity assessment, and effective delivery methods.

Jimmy is also a certified trainer and provider of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), a treatment targeting emotional overcontrol. Since 2014, he has practiced and taught RO-DBT, specializing in its application to complex, treatment-resistant cases.

For over a decade, Jimmy has been a community lecturer at The Ohio State University’s College of Social Work. His professional interests include the intersection of culture and mental health, social signaling, and innovative approaches to challenging conditions.

Outside of work, Jimmy enjoys time with his wife, a fellow social worker, and their two children. He is dedicated to fostering connection and understanding, balancing leadership and mentoring with his passion for supporting the next generation of social workers.