Advanced Motivational Interviewing: Deepening our Understanding of Change (In-person Training) 12/14/23

Thursday, December 14th, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Training Overview

In this four-hour in-person training, participants will build their Motivational Interviewing skills and knowledge by focusing on understanding MI’s 5 clinical principles and strategies (reflective listening, open questions, affirmations, summarizing, and eliciting self-motivational statements). This session will also include roadblocks to reflective listening, the use of additional readiness tools, such as assessing importance and confidence, the two phases of MI, such as building motivation and strengthening client’s commitment to change, and handling resistance. This workshop will give participants the space to exercise their Motivational interviewing skills through discussion, scenarios and role plays.

PREREQUISTE: Prior to attending this training, participants should have participated in at least one Motivational Interviewing workshop or class or have comparable experience.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the 5 Motivational Interviewing clinical principles and learn the 5 Motivational Interviewing strategies.
  • Learn and practice what not to do, including roadblocks to reflective listening.
  • Practice using MI strategies to elicit and reinforce change talk surrounding harm reduction, infectious disease prevention, and managing substance use, among other range of behaviors impacting health and wellness.
  • Enhance knowledge of motivational techniques and readiness for change by learning and using other tools, such as the assessment of importance and confidence about particular changes.

This training will be held in person at 25 Van Ness Ave. Suite 330 A, San Francisco, CA 94102

25 Van Ness Ave – Google Maps


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

You can receive two (2) CEUs total at no cost.  

In order to receive your CEUs, you must complete the following:

  • Sign in and sign out of the training using the chat in Zoom (especially if you are sharing an account with a coworker)
  • Complete the evaluation AND the 5-question post-test available on the course page
  • You will receive a completion certificate at the end of the training only if you complete the evaluation
  • CEUs will be emailed to you within 1 month.

Attending one of these trainings fulfills the annual harm reduction training contract requirement, which is part of the SFDPH Declaration of Compliance for SFDPH systems of care and funded agencies that provide direct service to clients. 


Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.

Advanced Motivational Interviewing: Deepening our Understanding of Change (Online Training) 12/5/23

Tuesday, December 5th, 11 am – 1 pm

Training Overview

In this two-hour online training, participants will build their Motivational Interviewing skills and knowledge by focusing on understanding MI’s 5 clinical principles and strategies (reflective listening, open questions, affirmations, summarizing, and eliciting self-motivational statements). This session will also include roadblocks to reflective listening, the use of additional readiness tools, such as assessing importance and confidence, the two phases of MI, such as building motivation and strengthening client’s commitment to change, and handling resistance. This workshop will give participants the space to exercise their Motivational interviewing skills through discussion, scenarios and role plays.

PREREQUISTE: Prior to attending this training, participants should have participated in at least one Motivational Interviewing workshop or class or have comparable experience.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the 5 Motivational Interviewing clinical principles and learn the 5 Motivational Interviewing strategies.
  • Learn and practice what not to do, including roadblocks to reflective listening.
  • Practice using MI strategies to elicit and reinforce change talk surrounding harm reduction, infectious disease prevention, and managing substance use, among other range of behaviors impacting health and wellness.
  • Enhance knowledge of motivational techniques and readiness for change by learning and using other tools, such as the assessment of importance and confidence about particular changes.

Join Zoom Meeting
Zoom link


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

You can receive two (2) CEUs total at no cost.  

In order to receive your CEUs, you must complete the following:

  • Sign in and sign out of the training using the chat in Zoom (especially if you are sharing an account with a coworker)
  • Complete the evaluation AND the 5-question post-test available on the course page
  • You will receive a completion certificate at the end of the training only if you complete the evaluation
  • CEUs will be emailed to you within 1 month.

Attending one of these trainings fulfills the annual harm reduction training contract requirement, which is part of the SFDPH Declaration of Compliance for SFDPH systems of care and funded agencies that provide direct service to clients. 


Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.

Intramuscular Naloxone Video Demo

Watch this video for a step-to-step demonstration on how to use intramuscular naloxone.

Note: You must have cookies enabled on your browser in order to track your completion of the course and receive a certificate.

Fentanyl Test Strip Video Demo

Watch this video for a step-to-step demonstration on how to use a fentanyl test strip to test drugs for the presence of fentanyl.

Note: You must have cookies enabled on your browser in order to track your completion of the course and receive a certificate.

Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder

Watch this video to learn about the range of substance use disorder treatment options in the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s system.

Note: You must have cookies enabled on your browser in order to track your completion of the course and receive a certificate.

Nasal Naloxone Spray Video Demo

Watch this video for a step-by-step demonstration on how to use nasal naloxone for known or suspected opioid overdose.

Note: You must have cookies enabled on your browser in order to track your completion of the course and receive a certificate.

Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response 2023-2024

This module provides a foundational understanding of how the body reacts to an overdose and how the naloxone nasal spray works to reverse a drug overdose to save someone’s life. By the end of the module, you will be able to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone.

Learning Objectives

After completing the course on “Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response,” the learner will be able to:

  • Identify the drugs, and other risk factors, that can lead to overdoses.
  • Determine the type of drug overdoses that can be reversed by naloxone.
  • Recognize the signs of an opioid overdose.
  • Respond to an opioid overdose.
  • Administer naloxone.

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing (In-person Training) 11/21/23

Tuesday, November 21st, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Training Overview:

In this training, participants will learn about the foundations of Motivational Interviewing (MI), understand the process of change, key motivational areas, and differences between MI and other models, and deepen their knowledge and best practices for appropriate counseling interventions under the Stages of Change model. This session will also focus on the value of ambivalence and relapse/recycling in change processes, how to best help others who are not ready for change, and shared strategies to assist others (and ourselves) to increase motivation, self-efficacy and optimism towards health.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss factors that influence one’s ability to change.
  • Explain the Stages of Change.
  • List at least two strategies a provider can try when incorporating Motivational Interviewing with a client.
  • Describe one approach or response to avoid when trying MI.

This training will be held in person at 25 Van Ness Ave. Suite 610, San Francisco, CA 94102

25 Van Ness Ave – Google Maps


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:  

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

In order to receive your CEUs, you must complete the following:

  • Sign in and sign out of the training using the chat in Zoom.
  • Complete the evaluation after the training AND complete the 5 post-question quiz
  • You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training if you fill out the evaluation.
  • CEUs will be emailed to you within 1 month.

Attending one of these trainings fulfills the annual harm reduction training contract requirement, which is part of the SFDPH Declaration of Compliance for SFDPH systems of care and funded agencies that provide direct service to clients.  

Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.


Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing (Online Training) 11/9/23

Thursday, November 9th, 10 am – 12 pm

Training Overview:

In this training, participants will learn about the foundations of Motivational Interviewing (MI), understand the process of change, key motivational areas, and differences between MI and other models, and deepen their knowledge and best practices for appropriate counseling interventions under the Stages of Change model. This session will also focus on the value of ambivalence and relapse/recycling in change processes, how to best help others who are not ready for change, and shared strategies to assist others (and ourselves) to increase motivation, self-efficacy and optimism toward health.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Discuss factors that influence one’s ability to change.
  • Explain the Stages of Change.
  • List at least two strategies a provider can try when incorporating Motivational Interviewing with a client.
  • Describe one approach or response to avoid when trying MI.

Join Zoom Meeting

Zoom link 


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:  

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

In order to receive your CEUs, you must complete the following:

  • Sign in and sign out of the training using the chat in Zoom.
  • Complete the evaluation after the training AND complete the 5 post-question quiz
  • You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training if you fill out the evaluation.
  • CEUs will be emailed to you within 1 month.

Attending one of these trainings fulfills the annual harm reduction training contract requirement, which is part of the SFDPH Declaration of Compliance for SFDPH systems of care and funded agencies that provide direct service to clients.  


Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.


The War on Drugs, the Prison Industrial Complex, and Harm Reduction (In-person Training) 10/19/23

Thursday, October 19th, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm

Training Overview:

This four-hour in-person training is designed for people with harm reduction training and experience who are looking to take their programming and care to the next level. Through a combination of history, shared experiences, case studies, and discussion, training participants will explore the ways that criminalization and exploitation have created a system that causes certain groups to have worse health outcomes and a lower quality of life. Participants will learn how they can use this knowledge to build programming that interrupts these oppressive systems and angle their services toward being as open and inclusive as possible.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Define what the prison industrial complex and the war on drugs are and how they impacted communities of color from the 1970’s to the present
  •  Identify three ways different behaviors and drugs are treated differently within the justice system and what those differences stem from
  •  Explore the ways that the harm reduction can be used through direct service, policy, and community organizing to reduce the harms that stemmed from the racialized war on drugs
  • Identify 3 ways that their program can change in order to resist further oppressing marginalized people and create spaces from healing and growth

This training will be held in person at 25 Van Ness Ave. Suite 610, San Francisco, CA 94102

25 Van Ness Ave – Google Maps


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:  

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

In order to receive your CEUs, you must complete the following:

  • Sign in and sign out of the training using the chat in Zoom.
  • Complete the evaluation after the training AND complete the 5 post-question quiz
  • You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the training if you fill out the evaluation.
  • CEUs will be emailed to you within 1 month.

Attending one of these trainings fulfills the annual harm reduction training contract requirement, which is part of the SFDPH Declaration of Compliance for SFDPH systems of care and funded agencies that provide direct service to clients.  

Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.