Motivational Interviewing: Integrating Emotional First Aid Principles for Trauma-Informed, Client-Centered Change (3HR)
Motivational Interviewing: Integrating Emotional First Aid Principles for Trauma-Informed, Client-Centered Change (3HR)
This 3-hour CE training equips licensed therapists with practical tools for integrating Motivational Interviewing (MI) with Emotional First Aid (EFA) principles when working with clients affected by trauma, chronic stress, and substance use disorders. Participants will explore the neuroscience behind change readiness, how to apply MI’s core skills in dysregulated or high-stress situations, and how to use simple, body-based regulation tools to enhance therapeutic rapport and client empowerment. Through live demonstrations, embodied practices, and interactive vignettes, clinicians will learn how to support both clients and therapists in maintaining safety, engagement, and motivation for change.
Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:
- Define the core principles and “spirit” of Motivational Interviewing and how they apply to trauma-informed care.
- Describe how chronic stress and trauma impact the brain’s capacity for change and how this influences client behavior.
- Apply MI skills (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries) in ways that are responsive to dysregulated nervous systems.
- Integrate somatic and relational safety strategies into MI sessions to support client empowerment and resilience.
Course Instructor: Christi Garner, LMFT
