MARIN COUNTY CHAPTER OF CAMFT
FRIDAY EVENING LECTURE SERIES
October 21, 2016
Motivational Interviewing: A Brief and Interactive Introduction
Suzanne Alfandari, LMFT
Motivational Interviewing: A Brief & Interactive Introduction
"In some ways MI is simple, but mastering it is neither quick nor easy" ~ Miller & Rollnick
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a profoundly remarkable tool that appears deceptively simple to learn. Like learning a musical instrument, sport or any hobby, it requires practice and support to develop this skill. As Charlie Parker said, “if you don’t live it, it won’t come out your horn”!
Motivational Interviewing is a guided client-centered therapeutic method of communicating and engaging that works collaboratively facilitating and engaging intrinsic motivation within the client. The purpose is to work through ambivalence in order to make behavioral changes.
Four basic interaction skills are the foundation of MI that are continuously deepened and refined as one develops proficiency. These skills include the acronym O.A.R.S.: the ability to ask Open-ended questions, the ability to reflect Affirmations, the capacity for simple and complex Reflections and the ability to use Summaries. These O.A.R.S. skills are used strategically within a global style and spirit of Empathy, Partnership, Cultivating Change Talk and Softening Sustain Talk.
Studies show even a ten-minute MI interview at the beginning of treatment increases the likelihood for commitment to change and maintaining the change. Additionally MI helps reduce clinician burnout by shifting the burden of change off the clinician and back to the client, where it rightfully belongs.
Suzanne Alfandari, LMFT is a member of MINT, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. She has trained organizations in MI including all categories of staff who work with low income and challenged families, to providers who support first responders with PTSD. She worked for over 15-years at Marin County Mental Health and Substance Use Services (MHSUS), supporting parents, children and teens, working in close collaboration with school districts, psychiatrists, psychologists, hospitals and peer providers.
Suzanne created curriculum and taught MI to the psychology interns at MHSUS for three years, in addition to implementing the MI-style of consultation with staff on the Youth and Family Services team. She is on the UC Davis Extension faculty and the faculty of the Felton Institute in San Francisco, as the Motivational Interviewing trainer.
Since 1997 in her private practice, Suzanne has been providing multi- generational therapy with adults, individually and together with their parents, to improve their relationships. She supports clients into greater creativity and life satisfaction. She combines EFT with
Motivational Interviewing and utilizes the latest research from meditation in the fields of epigenetics (how your thoughts affect your genetic health) and neuroplasticity (how to rewire your brain) with positive beliefs for rapid healing outcomes.
Cost: Free for Marin CAMFT members, $10 for non-members.
Location: Corte Madera Town Center, Room 201 - 770 Tamalpais Drive, Corte Madera, CA 94925 (map)
Information: For more information about the Friday Evening Lecture Series and about joining the Committee, contact Committee Chairs, Suzanne Richardson and Scott Nelson
CEUs: This workshop meets the qualifications for 1.5 CEUs for LMFTs, LCSWs, LEPs and LPCCs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. These will be provided by Marin CAMFT (CEP # 56895), which is approved by CAMFT to sponsor CE for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. Marin CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program and its contents Contact Laurie Buntain, Director-at-Large for Programs for more information.
Continuing Education Goal: Marin CAMFT is committed to offering continuing education courses to train LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs to treat any client in an ethically and clinically sound manner based upon current accepted standards of practice. Course completion certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the training and upon participant’s submission of his or her completed evaluation.
Refund Policy: Requests for refunds must be in writing and received by the Director at Large for Programs no later than ten days before the program. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee to cancel registration for any program. The refund will be sent within ten days of the request.
Accommodation for Special Needs: The special needs of persons with disabilities will be accommodated. The Program Committee will endeavor to assure that continuing education program materials, content and venue selections will meet the special needs of the disabled and that reasonable accommodation will be made. A request for accommodation can be made to the Director at Large for Programs, who will work with the Committee and event venue to meet the need. All instructors will read and adhere to Marin CAMFT’s stated policies.
Marin CAMFT encourages those who attend its events to respect the fact that some individuals may have allergies to fragrances and pet dander. We ask that you refrain from introducing these elements into our meeting room. Registered service animals are welcome, of course.
Grievance Procedure: Marin CAMFT will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the Director at Large for Programs.
Anti-Discrimination Policy: Marin CAMFT shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or other prohibited basis. Marin CAMFT does not require attendees to adhere to any particular religion or creed in order to participate in training. Marin CAMFT will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.
CAMFT