IN-PERSON-Introduction to Motivational Interviewing-Spirit & Skills


Friday, October 27, 2023, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Spirit & Skills- $219 includes CEUs
Suzy Langevin, LICSW

Motivational Interviewing normalizes ambivalence and reflects the many elements that can impact the ability of individuals to make changes to improve individual health and safety. It provides practitioners a framework for what to do when individuals are not yet committed to making behavior change and empowers both practitioners and individuals to take responsibility for the change process in a non-hierarchical, non-coercive relationship.

This training will provide an introduction to the concepts and skills of Motivational Interviewing. We will focus on an overview of the practice as a whole, including practice considerations and a phased approach to the model. We will review the underlying spirit of MI, and practice basic reflective listening skills.

Motivational Interviewing is considered a key competency for working with substance use disorder to elicit and strengthen commitment to change. This training will touch on some specific applications for substance use disorder, including smoking cessation.

Following this training the participants will be able to:

  • Describe the reasoning for using MI as an intervention for individuals who are ambivalent about behavior change.
  • List and describe the phases of MI treatment and the skills needed for each phase.
  • Describe the basic principles of MI Spirit that underpin the entire practice.
  • Demonstrate the reflective listening skills used to move conversations about change forward.

Suzy Langevin, LICSW, LADC I, Director of Training and Professional Development at Open Sky Community Services, is committed to making the best evidence-based tools and supports available to both Open Sky employees and the broader provider community through the Bridge Training Institute. Ms. Langevin has presented regionally and nationally on implementing evidence-based treatment modalities, including the Stephanie Moulton Symposium, NAADAC National Webinar Series, and the Massachusetts Psychiatric Rehabilitation Collaborative Annual Conference. She has extensive training and fidelity coding experience in Motivational Interviewing and is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).

She had provided training and consultation in a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to mental health providers, school systems, community groups and state agencies, where feedback has included, “Suzy is very knowledgeable and provides practical insight on how to apply the skill learned in real life situations. Her training approach is upbeat, engaging, and informative.”

In her more than decade long tenure at Open Sky, she served as Director of Dual Diagnosis Services, where she developed a model for services for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders within the agency’s community mental health programming. She also previously worked to implement and supervise the provision of Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) services across adult and adolescent treatment settings and the development and opening of The Bridge Counseling Center, Open Sky’s outpatient division. In 2014, Ms. Langevin was awarded the ABH Excellence in Outcomes Award as a member of the CR for PTSD group. She was selected to the Worcester Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Worcester Class of 2021.

In addition to her work at Open Sky, Ms. Langevin has experience in a diverse range of settings, including emergency mental health, juvenile justice, residential treatment, and hospital inpatient care.

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