Resisting the Righting Reflex When Supporting System Involved Youth and Families

Marya Wright, MSW

Training Description

This course will focus on the utilization of Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills when working with system involved youth and their caregivers. This course will provide practical skills and strategies to resist the righting reflex when met with 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 their caregivers. The course will provide training participants with strategies on appropriate responses to resistance as well as statements and ways to respond to resistances 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

1. Evaluate how the righting reflex impacts caregiver engagement when supporting system-involved youth and families.
2. Describe the difference between inappropriate and appropriate responses to resistance.
3. Illustrate how the righting reflex can interrupt the desire to change.
4. List 5 examples of how to respond to ambivalence or resistance to change.

Agenda 

1:00 – 1:15pm  Welcome & Introductions

1:15 – 1:30pm  Agenda, Overview, Objectives and Learning Goals

1:30 – 2:00pm  Righting Reflex

2:00 – 2:20pm  R.U.L.E.

2:20 – 2:45pm  Resistance

2:45 – 3:00pm  BREAK (CEUs will not be offered during this time)

3:00 – 3:30pm  How to respond to resistance?

3:30 – 3:45pm  What do you say to resistance?

3:45 – 4:00pm  Questions/Answers, Evaluation, Closing

Meet Our Trainer

Marya Wright, MSW is registered Associate Clinical Social Worker with the Board of Behavioral Sciences working to obtain her LCSW. Marya is currently employed as a Child Welfare Worker II in the Dependency Investigation Unit. Marya is responsible for conducting investigations and making assessments based on the Welfare & Institutions Code section 300 regarding child abuse, neglect and exploitation based off clear and convincing evidence of risk to the child and on the legality of Court intervention.

As a graduate from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in social work, Marya focused on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing. Marya attended California State University, East Bay and graduated with a master’s degree in social work with a focus in Child Welfare Policy and research. Marya has conducted research in Child Sexual Exploitation and Foster Care. Marya is currently a part-time lecturer at CSU, East Bay where she teaches Child Welfare Policy. Marya has been able to apply and build these skills across several leadership roles in both private and public sector organizations.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Marya has been responsible for training and facilitating, mentoring, coaching, recruitment and retention, consulting, program and curriculum development.

This course meets the qualifications for (2.75) BBS CEUs for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.