Intro to Motivational Interviewing

Trainer: Dr. Marya Wright, DSW, LCSW

Date: August 12th, 2025

Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Location: Virtual – Zoom

Agency: A Better Way Inc.

Participants must complete registration via the A Better Way Inc. website in order to gain full access to the training course.

COMPLETE REGISTRATION HERE: https://training.abetterwayinc.net/courses/7029

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.

This course is sponsored by A Better Way in partnership with CLPCCD and County Child Welfare Services. Training sessions are funded by The Federal Foster Care Title IV-E Program. CE credit is available for select courses. Inquire for details www.abetterwayinc.net.

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

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 youth and families. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Transfer of Learning 1

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.

Transfer of Learning 2

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.

Learning Objectives

1.) Trainees will be able to describe two ways to apply a motivational interviewing skill to their work with system-involved youth and families. 2.) Trainees will be able to discuss how the spirit of motivational interviewing is beneficial when assessing a youth in care's motivation for change. 3.) Trainees will be able to identify at least two benefits of motivational interviewing when working with system-involved youth and families. 4.) Trainees will develop at least two skills for using open-ended questions and affirmations to support youth-in-care-centered relationships.

Trainer Bio

Dr. Marya Wright, DSW MSW BSW, is a nationally distinguished social worker, consultant, educator, international trainer, and facilitator with experience in organizational leadership, child welfare services, and curriculum development. As the Founder and CEO of Wright Community Services LLC, Dr. Wright is dedicated to empowering system-involved families through awareness, services, and education. She also provides consultation, training, and facilitation to agencies serving 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. She holds a Doctorate in Social Work from the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, focusing on achieving equal opportunity and justice in the child welfare system. 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.