Intro to Motivational Interviewing for System Involved Youth and Families

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for Professionals Working with System-Involved Youth and Families

Trainer: Marya Wright, MSW, ASW #81167

Date: June 20th, 2024

Time: 9:15am - 12:15pm

L ocation: Zoom/Virtual

Agency: A Better Way Inc.

Description:

In this course, participants will gain a generalized concept of MI. Participants will be introduced to the spirit of MI, Righting Reflex, and OARS (open-ended, affirmations, reflections, and summary). Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups, engage in various activities, and receive tangible examples to use during their work with system-involved clients. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Learning Objectives:

• Trainees will be able to describe two ways to apply a motivational interviewing skill to their work with system-involved youth and families.
• Trainees will be able to discuss how the spirit of motivational interviewing is beneficial when assessing a client’s motivation for change.
• Trainees will be able to identify at least two benefits of motivational interviewing when working with system-involved youth and families.
• Trainees will develop at least two skills for using open-ended questions and affirmations to support client-centered relationships.

Transfer of Learning:

• When faced with resistance, trainees will be able to recognize their tendency to use the righting reflex and the influence this reflex has on a client’s resistance.
• By the end of the training, trainees will be able to describe praise versus affirmation and identify how to best use each when responding to clients’ strengths.

Please email the training department at trainings@abetterwayinc.net for further assistance.

A Better Way is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor Continuing Education for LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LEP (62361). This course meets the qualifications for Continuing Education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. A Better Way maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

T rainer:

M ARYA WRIGHT MSW, ASW #81167

Marya Wright, MSW, is a nationally distinguished social worker, consultant, educator, international trainer, and facilitator with experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. She is the President and CEO of Wright Community Services LLC, a company that strives to empower system-involved families through awareness, services, and education while also providing consultation, training, and system specific facilitation to the agencies that services these communities. She is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker (#81167) with the Board of Behavioral Sciences working to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

Marya holds a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, East Bay with a focus on Child Welfare Policy and Research and a Bachelor’s in Social Work with a focus on Child Welfare Services and Motivational Interviewing from San Diego State University. Marya is a qualified expert witness and private dependency investigator for children, youth, and family services as it relates to family law court, juvenile and dependency court. She is an elected Board of Director for the California Society of Clinical Social Work (CSCSW).

Marya has conducted considerable research on Child Sexual Exploitation, Foster Care, and published an article on the use of algorithmic decision-making in child welfare. In addition to her clinical social work, Marya is a seasoned lecturer. She has taught in the Sociology Department at Cal State East Bay since Spring 2020. Her course load includes Sociology of Sexualities, Child Welfare Policy, Sociology of Family, and Sexual Violence.