Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for Psychotherapists

When: Friday, November 17th, 9 am - 4 pm

Where: King County Veterans Program - Tukwila

Trainer: Anne-Marie Roepke, P.h.D. - Evoke Training and Consulting, PLLC

CEs Available: 6

Description: 

How can we help our clients make positive changes in their behavior -- without nagging, shaming, persuading, or arguing? Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based counseling approach that can help individuals change behaviors they might feel ambivalent about, such as exercising, changing their diet, quitting alcohol/drugs, adopting safer sex practices, taking important medications, or starting psychotherapy.

In this interactive and engaging 6-hour training, participants will learn the fundamentals of motivational interviewing, including the MI spirit, the four processes of MI, use of the core techniques (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries), the strategic use of different types of reflective listening, how to evoke and strengthen motivation for change, and how to roll with difficulty and discord within the helping relationship. We will focus on topics that may impact Veterans we serve, including: motivation to seek help for mental health, addressing PTSD, addressing substance use concerns, management of chronic pain and health conditions. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, small group practice in breakout rooms, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to give them a richer understanding of the use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic and healthcare settings.

Note: This series includes two "Introduction" courses. This workshop is for mental health professionals with graduate degrees in Psychotherapy. The "Introduction to Motivational Interviewing" workshop for general practitioners will be presented virtually on October 13th and is oriented towards caseworkers, social workers, behavioral health professionals, and any others who work with veterans. This workshop is linked here: www.eventsquid.com/event/20692

Learning Objectives

1. Define motivational interviewing (MI)

2. Define change talk and sustain talk 

3. Explain the fundamental spirit and guiding principles of MI

4. List two ways to evoke change talk

5. Demonstrate use of MI-consistent reflective listening

6. Assess how, where, and when MI may be beneficial in the participant’s clinical/work setting

Audience: Direct service providers in mental health / behavioral health settings (e.g. clinical social workers, marriage & family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioral health technicians, peer support specialists, etc.).

Note: these trainings are offered as education and information for professionals, and are NOT intended as a healthcare service, or to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice for any condition, or to establish a doctor-patient relationship with the trainer.