Behavioral change occurs in a stage-matched manner, with different approaches being more useful at different stages of change.  Most practitioners have been taught action stage interventions, but for earlier stages of readiness motivational approaches are needed.  Learn the basics of motivational interviewing and how to apply initial skills to individuals with behavioral health needs. 

When practitioners know the basics of motivational interviewing, and many have even practiced the skills for years.  This session will review basic skills and quickly move on to applications in planning your next contact with a client to assist them in advancing their change process and achieve their recovery goals.

• Theories and concepts of human behavior in the social environment.
• Social work practice, knowledge and skills.
• Social work research, program evaluation, or practice evaluation.
• Social work agency management or administration.

1. Participants will review the stages of change model, and apply it to their own change processes
2. Participants will be able to recognize change talk, and practice moving to behavior change from there
3. Participants will list three purposes of resistance, and how to incorporate that into clinical practice
4. Participants will practice developing treatment goals that recognize and advance change
5. Participants will plan their next intervention with three clients using motivational enhancement strategies
6. Participants will develop a list of interventions that do not work and a plan to minimize them in their practice