Introduction
Date Course Created: June 2025
Substance abuse and addiction are notoriously very difficult to treat – so much so that relapse is baked into the healing journey for nearly every client. At the core of this phenomenon is the elevated level of resistance to change that addiction commonly brings to the healing equation with such intense force. Clients must buy into the need for change. They must believe that 1.) they need treatment and 2.) they are capable of success in treatment. Ultimately, successful treatment requires lasting behavior change, and lasting behavior change requires commitment to a proven process. That proven process, as it turns out, sits inside the motivational interviewing style of therapy.
If you have been struggling to know how to engage with clients that are resistant to treatment, present with a lot of ambivalence and seem to get caught in persistent lacking motivation for change, then you are not alone! Come learn the evidence-based skills and practice of motivational interviewing (MI). These strategies can be applied to an array of different client populations and are a great set of skills to add to your overall clinical toolset! You will learn how to engage clients in change and increase their motivation through the use of empathy and motivational interviewing attitudes and language.
This is a 4.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
00:00 – 00:38 → Foundations of Change and Ambivalence, Critique of Confrontational Methods
00:38 – 01:14 → Debunking Addiction Myths, Exploring and Influencing Motivation, Personal Goal Reflection
01:14 – 01:53 → Overview of Stages of Change, Role of Motivational Interviewing (MI), Reframing Resistance
01:53 – 02:43 → Moving into Maintenance, Addressing Barriers and Ambivalence, Using Empathy and Reflection
02:43 – 03:45 → Core MI Techniques, Strategies to Navigate Resistance, Introduction to OARS
03:45 – 04:14 → Managing Early Session Challenges, EARS Technique for Client Engagement
04:14 – 04:39 → Strengthening Commitment, Applying Decisional Balance, Handling Pitfalls, Accountability
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to describe the origins of change psychology and motivational interviewing.- After completing this training, participants will be able to assess the stages of change and client readiness.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to analyze how motivational interviewing skills can be integrated to increase client motivation and success in treatment.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to plan how to work with ambivalence and denial.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to learn techniques for creating motivation in behavioral changes.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to demonstrate how to apply the principles of motivational interviewing.
Target Audience:
The target audience for this course includes licensed psychologists, social workers, counselors, MFT’s, and other licensed clinical mental health professionals.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Megan Salar, MSW
Material Author(s): Megan Salar, MSW
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
- Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
- Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive 4.5 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.- Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
- Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
- Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
- Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
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