How to Resist the Righting Reflex in work with Youth [6 CEUs]

Learning How to Resist the Righting Reflex in work with System-Involved Youth and Families

Trainer: Dr. Marya Wright, DSW, LCSW

Date: December 12, 2025

Time: 9:00am - 4:00pm

Location: Virtual – Zoom

Agency: City College San Francisco

Participants must complete registration via the City College of San Francisco website in order to gain full access to the training course.

COMPLETE REGISTRATION HERE: https://ccsf-extension.pdx.catalog.canvaslms.com/browse/contracted/title-iv-e/courses/mw019l-learning-how-to-resist-the-righting-reflex-6-ceus-tive052-202580

Description

This is an advanced course developed for case managers and clinicians who have a basic understanding of MI. Participants will build on the knowledge gained from an introductory MI course. This course will provide practical skills and strategies for professional who work with system-involved youth and families to resist the righting reflex when met with client resistance. Participants will increase their understanding of the righting reflex. The content explores MI four guiding principles, represented by the acronym R.U.L.E. Participants will gain a general understanding of how resistance may show up when working with system-involved youth and families. The course will provide strategies on appropriate response to resistance. As well as what could be said in response to resistance rather than using the righting reflex. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Learning Objectives

• Trainees will be able to evaluate how the righting reflex affects their practice when working with system-involved youth and families.
• Trainees will be able to describe the differences between inappropriate and appropriate responses to system-involved client resistance.
• Trainees will be able to implement “coming alongside” a client when faced with resistance.

Trainer Bio

Marya Wright, DSW, LCSW (#128392), is a nationally distinguished Black social worker, consultant, published author, educator, and facilitator with extensive expertise in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. As the Founder and CEO of Marya Wright Consulting LLC, Dr. Wright is dedicated to empowering system-involved families through awareness, services, and education. She also provides consultation, training, and facilitation to agencies supporting these communities.

Dr. Wright earned her Master of Social Work from Cal State East Bay, specializing in child welfare policy and research, and her Bachelor of Social Work from San Diego State University, with a focus on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, where she focused on advancing equal opportunity and justice within the child welfare system.

As a community leader, Dr. Wright prioritizes relationship-building, networking, and stakeholder collaboration to address the social and economic challenges her clients face, advocating for justice and peace. She has served as a qualified expert witness and forensic social worker and currently sits on the Board of Directors for the National Phi Alpha Honor Society. Additionally, she is an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and its California Chapter.

Dr. Wright’s research interests include child sexual exploitation, foster care, and algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. She has published articles and lectured extensively on these topics. Since January 2020, she has taught sociology and social work courses at Cal State East Bay, focusing on sexualities, child welfare policy, family sociology, and sexual violence. Currently, she serves as a professor in the graduate program, teaching generalist practice, human behavior and the social environment, and advanced practice with children, youth, and families.