Learning Opportunities

Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) was developed by Think:Kids of the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.  CPS starts with the philosophy that all kids want to do well and will do well if they can.  This evidence-based approach to managing challenging behaviour promotes the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill –not the will– to behave; specifically, skills related to problem-solving, flexibility, and frustration tolerance.

Unlike traditional models of discipline, the CPS approach avoids the use of power, control, and motivational procedures, and instead focuses on collaborating with the child/youth/young adult to solve the problems leading to challenging behaviour and building the skills they need to succeed.  

The Essential Foundation (Level 1) training is designed for educators, clinicians, and other professionals. It covers all aspects of the CPS approach. Through lectures, role-play, video examples, case studies, and breakout groups, participants learn how to identify what’s causing challenging behavior and how to address this using a relational and replicable process.

After completing the training, participants will have knowledge and materials to use CPS in their daily life and are eligible to take the Advanced Concepts (Level 2) training.