Target audience: social workers

After attending this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss elements of effective motivational counseling approaches and special applications of motivational interventions for substance use disorder treatment.
2. Discuss the core skills and basic processes of motivational interviewing.
3. Discuss strategies to develop rapport, build trust, and raised doubts and concerns about client substance use for individuals in the precontemplation stage.
4. Discuss strategies to normalize and resolve ambivalence and help tip the decisional balance toward change for individuals in the contemplation stage.
5. Discuss strategies to help individuals move through the final stages of preparation, action, and maintenance.

This Reading-based Asynchronous course was created in 2020.

Howard Fogel, Ph.D., CASAC, currently serves as the Educational Director of the program. Dr. Fogel received his doctorate in Educational Psychology from the City University of NY and his Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification from the NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). He has taught psychology and addiction related courses for the past 35 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and is currently a certified Education and Training Provider for the NYS OASAS Workforce Development Training Unit.

This course was developed for social work professionals. This course focuses on the principles and techniques of motivational interviewing and the application of motivational enhancement approaches to substance abuse treatment.

Topics covered include:

• Transtheoretical stages of change
• Principles of motivational interviewing
• Adapting motivational strategies and interventions to client stage of change
• Building readiness and commitment to change
• Engaging and retaining clients in treatment
• Motivational enhancements with coerced clients
• Measuring components of client motivation
• Integration of motivational approaches to diverse treatment populations and settings

10 Hours – $135