CTI – Child Training Institute

The Child Training Institute (CTI) provides cutting-edge training to mental health professionals, including clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, and more, who seek knowledge in the latest evidence-based treatments and techniques to help young clients and their families.

Working with children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma and abuse, who struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, or who lag in emotional, psychological, developmental, or intellectual growth can be challenging. CTI is here to support the professionals who are, in turn, helping these children. We offer programs that encourage new ways to think about and approach the work, provide new skills, and support connections between clinicians and disciplines. We believe that on-going training is essential to each individual’s professional development, as well as the community of clients they serve.

CTI is proud to present live one-day and two-day trainings at our San Francisco location. Trainings are open to the public and provide continuing education credits for qualified participants.

2017 CTI Program Schedule

Check back soon for Fall workshops.

Past CTI Program Events

Neuro-developmental Art Therapy: Treating Complex Trauma

Thu., March 9, 2017, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Trainer: Linda Chapman, MA, ATR-BC

This day-long workshop will feature the theory and application of Neuro-developmental Art Therapy (NDAT), a model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment developed by the presenter that utilizes the integrative capacity of the brain. A brief theoretical basis for the model will be offered, followed by a four stage model of art therapy based treatment for those with complex trauma histories. Specific art interventions using directive and non-directive art therapy techniques will be presented that are applicable to a variety of issues and disorders.

There will be an opportunity for experiential learning through experimentation with simple art media. All activities are designed to be safe, private, and confidential. No prior art training is necessary.

The Whole Brain Child: A Presentation for Mental Health Practitioners and Other Professionals Working with Children

Thu., Jan. 26, 2017, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Trainer: Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D

Drawing on cutting-edge research and neuroscience, this workshop focuses on the information highlighted in Dr. Bryson’s best-selling books The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline (both co-authored with Daniel J. Siegel). Bryson will present the latest scientific research with a special emphasis on attachment, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and neuroplasticity and the changing brain in a way that’s clear, interesting, and immediately practical. The focus will be on better understanding the role of experience and focused attention on the ever-developing brain.

Using stories, case examples, multimedia, and a lot of humor, Dr. Bryson encourages therapists to keep their own developing brains in mind as they nurture the growing minds of kids and other individuals. She provides creative examples of how she uses brain science—sometimes in the form of cartoon strips—in her office to help kids see things differently and acquire new tools to be resilient and feel hope about achieving lasting change in their lives. At the end of the workshop, participants will have a new framework for understanding and evolving their own work, along with Whole-Brain strategies they can learn to help kids move from reactivity to resilience.

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (two-day training)

Tue., Oct. 25 and Wed. Oct. 26, 2016, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Trainer: Shannon Dorsey, Ph.D

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is the treatment for child/adolescent trauma-exposure related symptoms with the most evidence of effectiveness. Participants in the United States and international studies have decreased PTS, anxiety, depressive symptoms and behavior problems after undergoing treatment. This workshop will provide clinicians with training in how to provide TF-CBT to children/adolescents and their caregivers with specific emphasis on how to implement this model in usual community settings.

Follow-up Case Consultation Calls: 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays starting Nov. 17, 2016, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
After the two-day training, participants will have the option to participate in twelve small group case consultation calls with nationally approved TF-CBT trainer Ashley Labistour, LMFT. Calls will provide practical support in implementing TF-CBT with clients. Those who complete at least nine of the twelve calls will fulfill a key requirement for national TF-CBT certification. Find more information on the TF-CBT certification process here >

Requirements for participation: It is recommended that those participating in the case consultation calls hold a master’s degree or above in a mental health field, and have at least one current client in their caseload for whom TF-CBT could be applicable.

For more information about CTI trainings, call 415-359-2447 or email BethB@jfcs.org.