Thursday Morning Breakout Sessions
Engagement and the Practice of MI
Presenter: Paul Warren, LMSW
This interactive breakout session focuses on the task of engagement. We will explore “depth” and the purpose of engagement. Engagement will also be considered in relation to the practice of MI.
Learning objectives:
- Describe a rationale for the sequential position of Engagement within the Four Tasks of MI.
- List at least three practices and/or provider positions that deepen engagement.
- State the general and MI-specific purposes of engagement.
- Identify and demonstrate practices and/or provider positions that increase understanding and build trust.
Learner level: Beginner to advanced
Empowering Survivors of Exploitation and Trafficking
Presenters: Lauren Hollie, APSW; Kristin Radue, LMSW
This interactive workshop is for participants who want to engage and empower those who have experienced sexual exploitation or trafficking to break through the chains of coercion. The presenters invite you to learn about sexual exploitation and sex trafficking indicators and risk factors. We will offer opportunities to explore how Motivational Interviewing can engage this population meaningfully to allow survivors to seek support and services safely. Through didactic lecture, small and large group practice, video and music, the instructors will offer ideas for supporting autonomy, partnering with survivors where they are and developing compassion for survivors.
Learning objectives:
- Describe trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Recognize indicators and risk factors in client interactions.
- Apply intentionality in the use of MI to support clients with exploitative experiences.
- Use MI with this population.
Learner level: Beginner
Conquering ‘Deceptive Simplicity’ in MI!
Presenter: Sue EckMaahs
“We don’t know what we don’t know” — Socrates. One thing research has taught us about learning MI is that we often overestimate our skill levels and/or don’t know which aspects of MI we are good at and which still need development. This session is for intermediate or advanced MI learners who want to dig in and enjoy discovering where their strongest MI skills lie and specific skill areas for development. As a conclusion to this fun and interactive session, you will celebrate current strengths and set small goals for continuing your path toward MI excellence.
Learning objectives:
- Describe several factors that lead to effective MI learning.
- Perform individual, guided listening of your own MI work sample created during the session. (These will not be shared publicly; please bring headphones.)
- Compassionately recognize personal MI strengths and skill gaps occurring at this juncture of your learning process.
- Develop a brief, individual plan to continue recognizing and building skills going forward.
Learner level: Intermediate to advanced
Increase Your Val-You: Use Values in a Motivational Interviewing Framework
Presenters: Michelle Drapikin, PhD, ABPP; Erica Karger-Gatzow, LICSW
In this workshop, we will explore the integration of values into Motivational Interviewing (MI). Values are deeply held beliefs about what is important, guiding our actions and choices. Unlike goals, which are outcomes we strive to achieve, values inform our goals, providing a framework for a more fulfilling journey toward change. Understanding our values can help us prioritize our next steps and realign our actions with what truly matters to us. Ultimately, integrating values into MI can help create a clearer vision for change and enhance its effectiveness. We will discuss leveraging values to serve as anchors for decision-making and clarify the reasons behind change and how they facilitate difficult decision-making processes. We will review a few approaches to assess values in an MI-consistent fashion. By incorporating values, individuals can solidify their reasons for change, making their journey more personal and meaningful.
Learning objectives:
- Describe how to use values identification and assessment in a motivational interviewing framework.
- Apply values-based exercises with clients in MI sessions.
- Integrate values into current practices.
Learner level: Intermediate to advanced
What’s New in MI-4?
Presenters: Adrienne Allen, MSW, LCSW; Scott Caldwell, MS, MA, CSAC
Every decade or so, a new edition of the classic Motivational Interviewing text is published by authors William Miller and Steve Rollnick. With the publication of the fourth edition (MI-4, 2023), MI practitioners, trainers and consultants can consider what has endured and what has changed in the practice. This session will provide such an opportunity. First, we will take a trip back in time to the earlier editions (1991, 2002, 2013) to examine how MI has evolved. Then, we will consider updates of theory and practice in the most recent edition. Finally, we will consider the application of MI-4 in practice.
Learning objectives:
- Describe the historical view of how the practice of MI has evolved.
- Discuss updates to the theory and practice of MI.
- Plan applications of MI-4 to practice.
Learner level: Intermediate to advanced
Thursday Afternoon Breakout Sessions
MI Training Goes to Prison: Real-World Considerations for the USE of MI in Corrections
Presenter: Karen Gautney, MS
Corrections agencies are devoting considerable resources to train staff, contractors and community partners in Motivational Interviewing. Did you attend such a training and get excited about the promise of MI, then run into practical questions when you tried to use MI on the job? This session will explore instances where training collides with culture and protocol in community supervision, mandatory treatment and incarceration. Bring your questions and experience to this collaborative discussion on bridging the gap between training and practice in these challenging settings.
Learning objectives:
- Describe a model for determining when MI is a good fit in corrections and when it is not.
- Demonstrate tolerance of sustain talk as a strategy for engaging justice-involved clients.
- Identify strategies for focusing on a change target when the client’s goals and the DOC’s goals are not in sync.
- Discuss ways to support autonomy while simultaneously enforcing rules and conditions.
Learner level: Intermediate
Motivational Interviewing: The Relevance for a Variety of School Professionals
Presenter: Monica Caldwell
Motivational Interviewing can accelerate the quality of school professionals’ change conversations. With student-centered conversations focused on compassion, empathy, partnership, empowerment and OARS+I skills, we will see students’ motivation soar. Principals, teachers and student services staff will see an immediate change in their conversations with students when youth have the opportunity to explore their motivation to reach their potential at school. This is a leap beyond the traditional conversations focused on rules and consequences. Let’s explore MI through the lens of various professional roles and daily situations and put our young people at the center of crucial opportunities for growth and change.
Learning objectives:
- Identify how MI spirit and skills can enhance student motivation in change conversations.
- Explore various professional roles in schools and how the application of MI can enhance our effectiveness and collaboration.
- Describe the science behind why a student’s voice in exploring their own motivation leads to positive outcomes.
Learner Level: Beginner to intermediate
Empowering Patients to Write Their Own Final Chapter
Presenters: Sarah Cameron, MS, CTTS, NBC-HWC, and Yasyn Lee, MD
Appropriate for all levels of Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills, we will briefly overview MI concepts and describe how MI pertains to end-of-life conversations. We will discuss when MI is most useful — and maybe less useful — in end-of-life conversations. You will practice MI in a mock end-of-life conversation, and we will end with at least one immediately useful takeaway that you will use in your practice. Wellness and human service professionals of all backgrounds and practice settings may encounter end-of-life conversations with patients and family members. MI skills and spirit can help you prepare for these tough conversations so that they may be more productive, patient-driven and burden-lifting for the loved ones involved.
Learning objectives:
- Describe an overview of MI principles, Spirit and OARS.
- Discuss how MI can be applied to end-of-life conversations, in introducing advance directives, medical planning or a serious illness planning-ahead conversation.
- Apply a taste of MI conversation about end of life.
- Discuss when MI is more and less appropriate in end-of-life conversations.
- Plan at least one takeaway you will use, and generate curiosity to learn more about MI.
Learner level: Beginner to advanced
“But How do I Actually Use Motivational Interviewing?!” Practical Strategies to Leverage MI in Your Clinical Sessions
Presenter: Michelle Drapikin, PhD, ABPP
Motivational Interviewing (MI) sounds great on paper, but sometimes we need help with when and how to use it in our clinical practice. It makes sense: MI is “simple but not easy.” This breakout session will review opportunities — including specific MI tools — to bring MI to life in your clinical work. We will leverage a combination of real play, role play and demonstrations to take your best MI knowledge and apply it. Participants are encouraged to bring case examples.
Learning objectives:
- Identify components of the Motivational Interviewing (MI) spirit.
- Describe the four tasks of MI.
- Explain how and when to use MI in clinical sessions.
Learner level: Intermediate to advanced