The Great Lakes MHTTC and ATTC offer this training for behavioral health professionals in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, Mi, MN, OH, and WI.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) technical skills is an evidence-based practice used to help people overcome their ambivalence about change.  In this interactive, skills-based workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn about and practice the spirit of MI. 

Prerequisite 

Participants in the Technical Skills training are required to complete Motivational Interviewing Foundation Relational Skills prior the Technical Skills training series: 
Motivational Interviewing Foundation: Relational Skills (Jan. 21, 28, and Feb. 4, 2021) 

Learning Objectives

• Define and summarize the processes of focusing and evoking
• Identify different strategies for focusing and prepare to apply them to client interactions
• Define and recognize change talk, sustain talk and discordance
• Differentiate between client cues of readiness, ambivalence, and discordance
• Construct effective responses to different client cues
• Design a plan for advancing individual MI skills

This is a three-part series, and participants will need to attend all three sessions.  The trainings dates and times are: 

February 11, 2021
February 18, 2021
February 25, 2021

All trainings will be from 8:30–11:30 AM CST

CEUS: 9 NAADAC CEUs will be awarded to participants who attend all three sessions. Partial credit will not be awarded.

Trainer: 

Laura A. Saunders, MSSW, is the Wisconsin State Project Manager for the Great Lakes Addiction, Mental Health and Prevention Technology Transfer Centers. Her position is housed at the UW–Madison, where she’s worked since 1988. Since 2001, Laura has provided SBIRT and Motivational Interviewing training to physicians, nurses, medical students, psychologists, specialty addiction treatment providers, social workers, physical therapists, health educators, and staff who work in correctional settings. She has provided feedback and coaching to hundreds of social workers, correctional staff, and other human service providers who are interested in using evidence-based practices with fidelity. Laura joined the international group of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2006 (Sophia, Bulgaria) and is an active member of the Wisconsin MINT group.