The Invitation to Change (ITC) Training

“President and Board Member handing over certificates to Group Leaders Graduands in Zambia”

The ITC Intensive Training is a 17-hour, 3-day virtual program designed to empower professionals — therapists, counselors, educators, and recovery specialists — with the skills to support families and individuals affected by substance use disorders.

Offered through Your Ally Foundation in partnership with CMC, the training integrates evidence-based approaches like Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

These three strategies foster compassionate, stigma-free support tailored to diverse cultural contexts in Uganda, Zambia, Kenya, the African Diaspora, and New England.

Program Details

  • Duration: 17 hours of ITC training delivered virtually over 3 days.
  • Focus: Learn ITC’s core pillars to help caregivers and families navigate substance use challenges with empathy and effectiveness.
  • Curriculum: Interactive exercises, case studies, and role-playing to apply ITC in real-world clinical and community settings.
  • Resources Provided: Access to CMC’s resource library — including worksheets, guides, and tools for supporting families.
  • Certification: Earn a Certificate of Completion, a prerequisite for the ITC Group Leaders Training.
 

Impact Since 2021

Since launching in 2021, the ITC Intensive Training has empowered 205 professionals:

  • Uganda: 56 participants completed.
  • Zambia: 95 participants completed.
  • USA: 46 participants completed.
  • Kenya: 8 participants completed.

Graduates have applied ITC strategies in clinical, community, and home settings — fostering stigma-free environments and strengthening caregiver support networks.

Pathway to Group Leaders Training

Participants inspired to deepen their impact can advance to the ITC Group Leaders Training, a 12-hour, 4-day virtual program. The ITC Intensive Training Certificate of Completion is a prerequisite for this next level.

Why Join?

By participating in the ITC Intensive Training Program, you’ll join a global community of professionals and families committed to transforming lives through science, compassion, and kindness. You’ll learn how to:

  • Support families with practical, empathetic tools.
  • Reduce stigma through person-centered approaches.
  • Make a lasting impact in underserved communities.