About Pathways 2 Safety (P2S)
P2S is a training designed for behavioral health providers who work with individuals and families about how to have respectful, client-centered conversations about firearm safety and secure storage as part of routine care. It was developed in consultation with clinicians across Washington State and includes educational materials on firearm safety and storage devices. The training is interactive and designed to be relevant across a range of community-based settings.
The Trainings
The trainings include:
- An overview of firearm vocabulary and storage options
- Washington state policies
- A counseling framework on how to approach conversations in a nonjudgmental, supportive way
- Applied examples relevant to behavioral health practice
- Hands-on practice with locks and training aids
- Resources for clinicians and clients
- Skills-based practice with an AI-powered client (after the training)
An allocation of lockboxes, cable locks, and trigger locks will also be available for clinicians to distribute to clients.
The Evidence
In a pilot study of the P2S training conducted among 82 Master of Social Work (MSW) students, comparisons of surveys administered before and after the training demonstrated measurable improvements in social workers’ knowledge, confidence, and skills in facilitating firearm access conversations in client interviews.