Trainer(s): Ann Marie Roepke, PhD

Details:

How can we help our clients/patients 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 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. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to give them a richer understanding of the use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic and healthcare settings.

This workshop is for professionals providing direct services to Veterans in therapeutic, healthcare, and other supportive settings. This introductory training is appropriate for mental health professionals (e.g. psychologists, social workers, marriage & family therapists, counselors), medical professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists), and professionals in other supportive roles (e.g., case managers, employment specialists, coaches, probation/parole officers).

Objectives:

After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define motivational interviewing (MI), change talk, and sustain talk

2. Explain the fundamental spirit and guiding principles of MI

3. List two ways to evoke change talk

4. Demonstrate use of MI-consistent reflective listening

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

FAQs:

• What are my parking options for the event? Parking available on-site

• How can I contact the organizer with any questions? VTSC@dva.wa.gov

• How do I cancel and what is the cancellation policy? Please contact VTSC at VTSC@dva.wa.gov to cancel or through a link in your registration email, directions here. Cancellation requests within three days of the event will be subject to a $20 administrative fee.

• Free CEs & Clock Hours: Workshop certificate documents hours of instruction toward Continuing Education. VTSC is an approved continuing education sponsor for psychologists by the American Psychological Association.