Prime Times: Hello, It's Me

Hello, It’s Me—Prime Solutions^{®
by Michelle Stephen, Director of Training, PRI} 

What to do when your older sibling is getting most of the attention?  As any of us with siblings know, that situation is ripe for trouble.  We are happy to report, Prime Solutions, younger sibling to Prime For Life^® (PFL), is pleased as punch for its older, more established kin and is cheering its success.  Prime Solutions (Solutions to its friends) also knows something—it has its own stuff going on it thinks you’ll like.

 To begin, Solutions knows it’s spreading.  Just as PFL started small and grew, Solutions is starting to see growth happen.  It is now used statewide in Georgia and is rolling out statewide in Montana.  It was part of a day-long workshop at the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) annual meeting in Berlin, Germany in October.  Solutions is quietly confident that when people get to know it, they’ll like it. 

But, Solutions also knows it can get better.  Specifically, it’s heard all the fuss about PFL’s new preparation and presentation computer App and thought, “Yeah.  That’s cool, but why stop there?”  So, as siblings often do, it’s going one better.  While this is top secret, Solutions says I can share with you a little sneak peak. PRI elves are currently building a computer-based Solutions App with a new, integrated manual and—wait for it—a system for getting CE credits for reviewing materials.  Boom!  Credit for learning while preparing, that’s all Solutions will say for now.  Timeline?  Solutions says, “Art takes time” and refuses to say more.

Prime Solutions also looked at older sibling PFL doing continuing education trainings so well and thought, “I can do that!”  With generous sponsorship from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in Georgia, PRI is offering two Georgia Continuing Education (CE) Trainings in 2016. 

In February, PRI is offering a two-day CE training at Calloway Gardens in Georgia featuring a rock star line-up of Carlo DiClemente, Theresa Moyers, Ray Daugherty, and David Rosengren.  The ink is still drying on this event’s plans, but participants can expect to learn about recent research on counselor factors in treatment, the importance of engaging treatment mechanisms, and how positive psychology can increase the impact of their Solutions work.  But here is the fine print—this is only open to Prime Solutions counselors.    

In May, PRI will also offer a two-day training workshop in Georgia (site to be determined) on Group Motivational Interviewing featuring Karen Ingersoll and Chris Wagner.  This pair literally wrote the book on this subject and has travelled the world training people in the method.  Solutions would like to do a mic-drop now, but knows that might be a bit much.  There is more fine print—only people who have successfully completed Prime Solutions Level II training are eligible to attend. 

Solutions informs me there will be limited space in both trainings, so watch the PRI website and your email for announcements on these events and then act fast. They will fill quickly!  In addition, Solutions wants Georgia counselors to know that DBHDD has made some cool arrangements on their behalf.  That’s all we can say for now, but watch the announcements for details. 

So, what to do when your older sib is getting the entire spotlight?  You’ll decide for yourself, but Prime Solutions humbly suggests you support that older sib and smile, knowing your time is coming.