Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: A Journey Through Meaningful Change
When: 10/17/2025 - 10/17/2025,
From: 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Webex - Pre-Registration is Required!
Imparted by: Ka Chi Grace Wong, PhD & Alyssa Cohen, PsyD SAPC’s-Clinical Standards and Training (CST) Branch
Visit: https://lacountyph.webex.com/weblink/register/r6dbfafaae335c605b4579d7f6a0fa42f
Description:
IMPORTANT:
The training will begin promptly at 8:30am. Please log in 10-15 minutes prior to the training to ensure
your audio and visual connections are working properly.
After registration you will receive an email confirmation with your own unique link to use the to log
into the training (do not share this link). The email will come from messenger@webex.com (please
check your spam/junk email folders).
Who Should Attend
This is a four hour (4) live virtual, free introductory training and is open to SAPC Network providers
including:
• Registered and Certified Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors
• LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs & Licensed Eligible (LE) AMFTs, ACSWs, APCCs
• Psychologists & Registered Psychological Associates
• Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists & Peer Support Specialists
• Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) & Licensed Psychiatric Technicians (LPT)—Now offering CEs
• Registered Nurses & Nurse Practitioners—Now offering CEs
Training Description
This four (4)-hour live interactive training will provide participants with an introductory overview of
Motivational Interviewing (MI) in the context of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Participants
will have an opportunity to learn about the principles, spirit, and process of MI. This training will have
a special focus on acquiring and applying Motivational Interviewing tools, including the four (4) core
skills of MI (open-ended questions, affirming, reflecting, summarizing) and seven (7) levels of change
talk (desire, ability, reasons, needs, commitment, activation, and taking steps) in a SUD treatment
case scenario. Additionally, this training includes information on transtheoretical model, stages of
change and specific and practical interventions to use with clients at any stage of change. Participants
will have multiple opportunities to apply knowledge through polls, discussion questions, and vignette
discussions
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to:
1. Define Motivational Interviewing, the goal of MI, and its application in SUD treatment.
2. Demonstrate four (4) principles of Motivational Interviewing and how they integrate to
service delivery.
3. Identify the stages of change and how they inform engagement in care.
4. Describe three (3) intervention strategies to use at any stage of change to increase insight and
engagement.