Live Event: Motivational Interviewing & Harm Reduction Therapy

In this workshop, we will explore the concepts of Harm Reduction Therapy (HRT), which blend the views of social justice with self-determination theory, and humanism integrated with holistic health. HRT is a comprehensive view of a client which focuses more on their abilities than their needs. We will also explore the 5 Tent Pegs of HRT: Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory (TTM), Drug/Set/Setting, Self Determination Theory, and Attachment Theory. At the same time, we will confront our own uncomfortableness around risky behaviors – especially drug use – which can undermine our well-meaning work with clients. Be prepared to be engaged: through open and small group discussions, confronting our own anxieties and concern about risky behaviors, and finally challenge our thinking as usual. Members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) can use a 50% discount coupon code - email [email protected] to receive your coupon code before registering. Professional contact hours will not be provided for this event. However, participants will receive a general certificate of attendance upon request. This program will be recorded. Purchase of this program grants 240 days access to the recording and pdf of the slides (to be uploaded within 3 business days of the event).

Webinar 28 August 2025: Motivational Interviewing and the Promise of Harm Reduction Therapy

$50.00

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Key Topics Covered Include:

Define harm reduction harm reduction psychotherapy (HRT) linking the basic concepts of harm reduction to the four components of the “spirit” of MI

Identify three foundational MI skills discussing how each functions to engage participants in conversations that can ultimately reduce harm via the exploration of various relationships to substance use and other behaviors

Determine how the 4 tasks of MI help scaffold participant collaboration and autonomy necessary for required deep conversations about change which support growth central to the process of harm reduction/HRT.

This virtual program will be hosted on ZOOM.

Meet the speaker

Kristin L. Dempsey

Facilitator & member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Inc.

Kristin Dempsey is a Bay Area psychotherapist, counselor educator and trainer. Kristin has over three decade's worth of experience working in community mental health settings and public K-12 schools providing mental health and substance use education and treatment services. She currently supports individuals and families in her San Francisco and Burlingame offices as well as through telehealth. Kristin is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), and she currently teaches motivational interviewing to school and other allied professionals. She is an adjunct professor at the Wright Institute’s Counseling Psychology Program and lecturing faculty at San Francisco State University. Kristin recently authored The Harm Reduction Workbook for Addiction (New Harbinger, 2024),and she is currently assisting on an additional writing project addressing effective interventions for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Dee-Dee Stout

Facilitator & member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Inc.

Dee-Dee Stout has a degrees in Psychology, Human Sexuality & Business Management as well as a Special Major Master’s degree in Health Counseling. For nearly 25 years, Dee-Dee joined the international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) nearly 25 years ago and is a founding member of the California Association of Harm Reduction Therapists (CAHRT; www.harmreductiontherapy.com). She is Adjunct Associate Professor at St. Mary’s College (Moraga, CA)teaching courses in MI, trauma-informed work, and substance use disorders. For nearly 40 years, Dee-Dee has maintained a consulting practice for individuals, couples, and families specializing in helping folx examine their relationship to substances and to each other. Dee-Dee also conducts trainings in such client-centered approaches as MI and Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and has received specialized training/certification in more than 15 other client-centered approaches including EFFT and Brainspotting. Well-known for her wicked sense of humor, the second edition of her ground-breaking book, “Coming to Harm Reduction Kicking & Screaming: Stories of Radically Loving People Who Use Drugs” recently dropped & is receiving numerous positive reviews.

Empowering Change, One Conversation at a Time

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