IN-PERSON-Motivational Interviewing-The Power of Change Talk


IN-PERSON-Friday, December 1, 2023, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM-$219 including CEUs
Motivational Interviewing: The Power of Change Talk
Suzy Langevin, LICSW, LADC I

This training will provide an in-depth exploration of the power of change talk, including listening for it, strategies for drawing it out and reflecting it, and using it to translate into action between conversations. Using MI fidelity tools as a framework, practitioners will learn the importance of reflecting change talk to get more change talk that leads to behavior change and will have the opportunity to practice multiple strategies to do it. This intermediate level training assumes practitioners have a good working knowledge of MI spirit and basic OARS skills. Time will be allotted for case consultation to work through challenging scenarios.

Following this training the participants will understand:

  • The diversity and range of OARS responses that can elicit change talk
  • Strategies for cultivating change talk, including the opportunity to practice
  • The elements of MI coding and coaching to enhance their practice

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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