Engaging Families And Supportive Networks In Behavioral Healthcare

Behavioral health workers play a critical role in crises intervention and providing essential support to individuals in distress. However, supportive others and family members are often left unsure of how to help or may inadvertently escalate the crisis. This training will provide evidence-based strategies for effectively including family members and support systems in crisis interventions to improve outcomes.

Participants will explore research demonstrating the benefits of collaborative crisis response, discuss common scenarios involving mental health, substance use, trauma, and medical crises, and gain practical skills for engaging and guiding loved ones during high-stress situations. By the end of this interactive session, attendees will have tangible techniques they can apply immediately to better support both individuals in crisis and their support networks.

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:

-identify at least three evidence-based benefits of including family members and loved ones in crisis response.

-analyze different crisis scenarios and determine appropriate family and supportive other engagement strategies based on best practices.

-demonstrate practical skills for effectively guiding and supporting family members and loved ones during a crisis intervention.

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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.

Visit our website to view the full calendar of continuing education trainings:

https://www.hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com/trainings