Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use: Foundations and Interventions (3HR)

Working with individuals who experience substance use requires distinct understanding and skills to effectively offer clients the best opportunity for sobriety and recovery. What are best practices and approaches for working with substance use? Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach that is consistently useful in the substance abuse field to engage and support individuals. This workshop will introduce learners to the foundations of “the spirit of MI”, such as the philosophy, approach, and stages of change. Specific MI interventions such as OARS, eliciting change talk, and rolling with resistance will be presented and detailed. Case studies, video clips, and group exercises will highlight this powerful counseling method that is ideal for clinicians to employ within the addiction field.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Explain the philosophy and foundations of the MI counseling method.
• Describe at least five MI techniques useful for substance abuse treatment.
• Identify at least two examples of implementing MI skills into personal clinical practice.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical/Substance-Specific asynchronous continuing education credits.

For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 hours of Clinical, Substance-Specific, Evidence-Based Practices, and General Skill Building continuing education training.

Course Instructor: Diane Bigler