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Advanced Skills for Brief Therapy Practitioners: Managing Complex and High-Risk Issues

Advanced Skills for Brief Therapy Practitioners: Managing Complex and High-Risk Issues

This advanced course will enhance the knowledge and skills of mental health professionals practicing Brief/Short-Term Therapy with clients who are managing complex circumstances, including trauma, risk, grief, suicide, and self-harm. Participants will deepen existing Short-Term Therapy skills using the principles and techniques of Solution Focused Brief Therapy. The purpose of this training is to ensure that clients experience each session as useful, regardless of their history or problem severity.


Note:
This course is designed for mental health professionals with experience in delivering short-term or brief therapy.

 

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Description

People who are experiencing complex situations and/or intense problems are often the least likely to be able to commit to traditional forms of intervention due to the significant and competing needs that are often present in these circumstances. As a result, mental health practitioners working in these contexts must learn specific skills in order to maximize the time that they have with people. Participants in this course, “Advanced Skills for Brief Therapy Practitioners: Managing Complex and High-Risk Issues,” will leave with skills that assist them to prioritize what is most important to the client in the time that is available. Techniques to contain conversations and avoid retraumatization and/or amplify the problem will also be introduced.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Minimize risks associated with complex situations within brief or short-term therapy contexts.
  2. Use targeted questions to prioritize what is most important for the client regardless of clinical presentation or problem severity.
  3. Use targeted questions to identify existing internal and external resources that can be mobilized by the client, whether or not they participate in longer term interventions.
  4. Understand how very brief and short-term therapy aligns with trauma-informed and decolonizing approaches to mental health interventions.
This course is ONLY for mental health professionals with knowledge and experience delivering short-term or brief therapy. Prerequisite:  Course 1 & 2 of the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Certificate and/or, a minimum of 12 hours of training in solution focused, narrative, or single session therapy.

NOTE: This course is equivalent to ‘Using Brief and Single Session Therapy with Complex and High Risk Issues’ the 3rd training in a three-course series which comprises the Solution Focused Brief Therapy Certificate

Who Should Attend 

“Advanced Skills for Brief Therapy Practitioners: Managing Complex and High-Risk Issues,”  will benefit mental health practitioners who frequently engage in short-term and/or stand-alone conversations with clients and is designed for practitioners working in brief service delivery formats such as mental health walk-in-clinics, crisis or outreach services, school settings, and community-based mental health organizations.

Course Dates & Format 

December 1, 2, 8 & 9, 2025

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET

This is a 12-hour training. This course consists of four 3-hour interactive virtual sessions using Zoom.

Instructor:  Alesya Courtnage, MA, RP, CCC

Alesya received a Masters of Arts degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA in 2001 and has been practicing as a psychotherapist in different mental health settings ever since. In 2008 Alesya attended her first workshop in the Solution Focused Approach and fell in love with the hope, optimism and respect that drives this way of working with others. Currently, Ontario is the epicentre of mental-health walk-in clinics and her clinical work in this area inspired Alesya to become interested in the potential of Single Session Therapy both as a service delivery model and as an effective clinical intervention. This passion has led her to both lead and attend trainings in Single Session Therapy around the world. She has provided training to hundreds of front-line staff and continues to act as a consultant to many agencies across Canada. Alesya is currently completing a PhD in Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her area of research is connected to risk management and the integration of brief and traditional service delivery models.

Training Fee

Member Fee: $325.00 + $42.25 (HST) = $367.25

Non-Member Fee: $375.00 + $48.75 (HST) = $423.75

Group Registration: Save 20% off individual fee with group registration of 4 or more participants. Download the group registration form HERE.

Continuing Education Information 

Licensing boards and professional organizations will grant Continuing Education credits for attendance at their discretion when participants submit the course outline and certificate. 

In-Service 

This is available as an in-person or virtual in-service training and customized to suit your needs.

 

Categories: In Service, Online, Trauma Focused Intervention, Trauma-Informed Practice Tags: Alesya Courtnage, Brief Therapy, Complex Cases, Intervention, Mental Health, Professional Development, Short-Term Therapy, Single Session, Solution Focused Therapy., Trauma Informed, Walk-In
Training Calendar
35 events found.
  • October 2025

Calendar of Events

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12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
3 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
October, 1 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
3 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Many professionals struggle with how to help support clients with making positive and healthy changes in their lives, all the while honouring their autonomy and choice. Motivational […]

1 event, 2
12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
4 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
October, 2 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm
4 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

Many professionals struggle with how to help support clients with making positive and healthy changes in their lives, all the while honouring their autonomy and choice. Motivational […]

0 events, 3
0 events, 4
0 events, 5
1 event, 6
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Incorporating Truth and Reconciliation in Our Role as Health and Mental Health Practitioners
October, 6 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Incorporating Truth and Reconciliation in Our Role as Health and Mental Health Practitioners

Combining lived experience with emerging research on the Indigenous Social Determinants of Health, this training, “Incorporating Truth and Reconciliation in Our Role as Health and Mental Heath […]

0 events, 7
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1 event, 16
2025-10-16
Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies
Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies
October, 16 @ 1:00 pm - October, 17 @ 4:00 pm
Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies

This interactive training equips practitioners with practical, evidence-informed tools for conducting trauma assessments and delivering responsive treatment for communities facing barriers due to systemic discrimination. Grounded in […]

1 event, 17
2025-10-16
Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies
0 events, 18
0 events, 19
1 event, 20
2025-10-20
Trauma-Informed Supervision
Trauma-Informed Supervision
October, 20 @ 1:00 pm - October, 21 @ 4:00 pm
Trauma-Informed Supervision

Advocates of trauma-informed practice have identified that effective trauma-informed teams must be supported by trauma-informed supervisors, organizations, and service systems. This training provides supervisors and managers the opportunity to […]

2 events, 21
2025-10-20
Trauma-Informed Supervision
2025-10-21
Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
October, 21 @ 9:30 am - October, 22 @ 3:30 pm
Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

People with developmental disabilities experience mental health issues as a result of physical, emotional and sexual abuse and neglect in greater numbers than the general public.  Behaviors are often mistaken as non-compliance, […]

1 event, 22
2025-10-21
Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities
2 events, 23
2025-10-23
TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4
TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4
October, 23 @ 8:45 am - October, 24 @ 5:00 pm
TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4

This update is a two-day program for current TCI certified trainers to learn the content and revisions to the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF) curriculum. TCIF […]

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Self Compassion in the Workplace: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others
October, 23 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Self Compassion in the Workplace: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others

“Self Compassion in the Workplace: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others” is designed specifically to address the emotional challenges faced by so many of those working […]

1 event, 24
2025-10-23
TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4
0 events, 25
0 events, 26
1 event, 27
2025-10-27
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) is a systems-based, trauma-informed crisis prevention and intervention model that assists organizations in preventing crises from occurring, de-escalating potential crises, managing acute crisis phases, […]

1 event, 28
2025-10-27
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
1 event, 29
2025-10-27
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
2 events, 30
2025-10-27
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Compassionate Leadership: Fostering Self-Care and Well-Being in Staff Teams and Organizations
October, 30 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Compassionate Leadership: Fostering Self-Care and Well-Being in Staff Teams and Organizations

Creating healthy supportive work environments is critical in growing a strong, positive and committed team and reducing personal leaves and turnover. This workshop is designed for leaders […]

1 event, 31
2025-10-27
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)
0 events, 1
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October, 1
October, 1 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

3 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

October, 2
October, 2 @ 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm

4 of 4: Introduction to Motivational Interviewing

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October, 6
October, 6 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Incorporating Truth and Reconciliation in Our Role as Health and Mental Health Practitioners

October, 23
October, 23 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Self Compassion in the Workplace: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others

October, 30
October, 30 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Compassionate Leadership: Fostering Self-Care and Well-Being in Staff Teams and Organizations

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Notice
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Notice
There are no events on this day.
October, 16
October, 16 @ 1:00 pm - October, 17 @ 4:00 pm

Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies

October, 16
October, 16 @ 1:00 pm - October, 17 @ 4:00 pm

Centering Equity in Trauma Treatment: Culturally Responsive Assessment and Intervention Strategies

Notice
There are no events on this day.
Notice
There are no events on this day.
October, 20
October, 20 @ 1:00 pm - October, 21 @ 4:00 pm

Trauma-Informed Supervision

October, 20
October, 20 @ 1:00 pm - October, 21 @ 4:00 pm

Trauma-Informed Supervision

October, 21 @ 9:30 am - October, 22 @ 3:30 pm

Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

October, 21
October, 21 @ 9:30 am - October, 22 @ 3:30 pm

Trauma Informed Care: Supporting Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

October, 23
October, 23 @ 8:45 am - October, 24 @ 5:00 pm

TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4

October, 23 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Self Compassion in the Workplace: Caring for Ourselves while Caring for Others

October, 23
October, 23 @ 8:45 am - October, 24 @ 5:00 pm

TCI Update: TCI for Families Ed. 4

Notice
There are no events on this day.
Notice
There are no events on this day.
October, 27
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

October, 27
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

October, 27
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

October, 27
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

October, 30 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Compassionate Leadership: Fostering Self-Care and Well-Being in Staff Teams and Organizations

October, 27
October, 27 @ 8:45 am - October, 31 @ 5:00 pm

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Trainer Certificate (7th Edition)

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