Motivational Interviewing-Helping People Change

Presenter: Rich Bradway, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative approach to working with individuals that helps to facilitate behavior change. Participants will gain a working knowledge of the core MI processes used to cultivate change, understand the spirit of MI including when, where and how to use this evidenced-based practice with clients. We will identify specific tools to use and discuss strategies for implementation in your place of practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Integrate person-centered and strategic components to improve clinical outcomes using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in a positive and supportive way.
2. Evaluate how the four processes and OARS skills of MI help reduce client ambivalence and empower change.
3. Employ ways to elicit, recognize and respond to “change talk” to improve treatment outcomes.
4. Know and understand how MI facilitates the reduction of discord in the therapeutic alliance leading to positive behavioral change.

Rich Bradway, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., is a licensed clinical social worker with a professional focus in co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. He currently teaches Motivational Interviewing at San Diego State University and California State University-San Marcos in their respective Schools of Social Work and maintains a private psychotherapy practice. As a non-profit executive, he oversaw his organization’s portfolio of alcohol and drug services programs throughout California and directed four SAMHSA Women, Families and Children Treatment funded projects all of which used MI as part of their treatment protocol.

This is a District Meeting coordinated by the San Diego District