Training Features

• Target treatment population: adolescents and adults 
• One 7-8 hour training day
• In-person or virtual format
• Offers training in use of motivational interviewing techniques to improve readiness to change unhealthy, unhelpful, and/or high-risk behaviors 

Full Description

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach to support behavior change. It is a “collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. It is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person’s own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.” (Miller & Rollnick, 2013, p. 29). Depending on the presenting problem, it can be used on its own or combined with other treatment approaches. MI has been applied across a broad range of settings (e.g. health, corrections, human services, education), populations (e.g. age, ethnicity, religion, sexuality and gender identities), languages, treatment format (e.g. individual, group, telemedicine) and presenting concerns (e.g. health, fitness, nutrition, risky sex, treatment adherence, medication adherence, substance use, mental health, illegal behaviors, gambling, parenting).

MI compares well to other evidence-based approaches in formal research studies. It is also compatible with the values of many disciplines and evidence-based approaches.

This workshop is designed to train behavioral health providers who offer services to adolescents and adults. Attendees will learn about the core elements of MI, including the spirit, core skills, and fundamental processes of MI. This is an applied and interactive training that will include didactic material, videos, modeling, and role-plays. 

General Eligibility Requirements:
Each consortia has a different set of eligibility criteria, please note where each one differs:

The Northern Virginia Regional Consortium for Evidence-Based Practice (NVRC):

1. Participant must be affiliated with one of the 5 Region 2 Community Services Boards (City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William Counties)
2. Participant must meet the stated education, licensure, professional specialty, and/or experience requirements outlined for the specific training for which they are applying.

The Fairfax Consortium for Evidence-Based Practice (FC-EBP):

1. Participant must currently be providing therapy services to youth/adolescents who reside within Fairfax County/City, Virginia or - for certain trainings - supervise clinicians who are serving this population.
2. Participant must be licensed or license eligible (e.g., undergoing Board-approved supervision for licensure) to provide clinical therapy services. State registrations or professional certification, in absence of a State license or Board-approved supervision, are not sufficient to attend most FC-EBP training programs.
3. Participant must possess a masters degree or higher in a mental health-related field by the date of their training program.  
4. Participant must attend the full duration of any training program to which they are accepted.  Barring emergencies, we do to allow partial attendance.
5. Participant must complete 2-4 brief surveys used to evaluate the training program(s) over the 12-months following the training program.
6. Participants of in-person trainings are responsible for paying out-of-pocket to park on GMU's campus.

Unless otherwise stated in a training program's application announcement, all of the above criteria apply. There are programs with additional requirements and programs with exceptions to these criteria; additions and exceptions are listed within training announcements and should not be assumed applicable across programs.

Email CEBBH@gmu.edu for further information and eligibility requirements.