This free course provides an overview of the spectrum of substance use and the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorder in youth. Designed for child and youth mental health and addictions (CYMHA) professionals, each lesson will explore screening and assessment considerations, common substances that youth in Ontario are using, and treatment pathway recommendations.

This free course supports child and youth mental health and addictions (CYMHA) professionals to utilize Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) with youth who have substance use concerns. The course provides a brief overview of CBT and focuses on CBT concepts and approaches that can be adapted for youth with substance use behaviours. This training is knowledge-based and not intended to develop CBT skills. Providers who are interested in skill-based CBT training should begin by completing a CBT foundation course.

This free introductory-level course prepares child and youth mental health and addictions (CYMHA) professionals to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) with youth who have substance use concerns. CYMHA professionals will develop foundational skills to build engagement, explore ambivalence, guide collaborative conversations about change and support youth in planning for change.