Learning Wednesday: Motivational Interviewing: Jump-Starting the Process of Change

Course Description:
 

In the therapeutic process of change, we must meet our patients at their level of readiness for change. Remaining an ally and anticipating and rolling with resistance is an integral part of motivational interviewing. Specific techniques are very powerful and effective to jump-start a positive and productive therapeutic relationship that begets therapeutic growth. 

Goals:

1. Understand and apply the Transtheoretical, or stages of change model, to challenges faced by therapists treating AUDs, SUDs and mental health disorders.
2. Learn the three key aims to motivational interviewing - collaboration, evocation and autonomy.
3. Learn each of the principles of MI and how they are implemented.
4. Learn how to effectively apply OARS and change talk. Recognize the common and differing symptoms of each of these diagnoses.

Presenter:

Dr. Joseph Hunter, PhD, LCSW is a highly experienced and well-educated behavioral health leader with over 16 years of combined state and federal government employment experience, primarily as a subject matter expert in the behavioral health field in the areas of substance use disorders and suicide prevention; he possess strong leadership and team building skills that have contributed to the development of numerous specialized innovations in the areas of clinical practice, research, and treatment programming; and, he is an experienced and talented educator for graduate students, as well as seasoned professionals. His education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology (1989), a Masters Degree in Social Work (1993), and a Ph.D. in Social Work (2010).

In 2005, Dr. Hunter was awarded the SAMHSA Dissertation Grant to complete his study on adolescent substance use disorder treatment. In 2011, Dr. Hunter was selected for two-year post-doctoral fellowship, and as a result was recognized as a VA/Hartford Geriatric Social Work Scholar. This year, Dr. Hunter has received distinguished recognition for his innovative work in behavioral health.

Dr. Hunter serves as the VA Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY, currently on detail to the National Suicide Prevention Office. In addition, Dr. Hunter joined the University of Southern California (USC) School of Social Work as part-time adjunct lecturer in 2013. Currently, as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, he teaches Masters of Social Work (MSW) courses in the areas of: clinical practice with service members and veterans, evidence-based clinical practice in mental health settings, mental health and human development, and mental health research. He is also a New York State approved provider of online and in-person continuing education for licensed social workers in New York State, offering training privately and for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).