Special Topics in MI Series Presents
Motivational Interviewing with Families
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an empirically-supported conversation style that helps people resolve ambivalence about behavior changes. The theoretical model for MI specifies that rather than professionals telling people why they should change, they elicit and reinforce clients’ reasons using reflective listening, open questioning, and summarization. It has been found that the in-session levels of clients expressing motivation to change, ‘change talk,’ predict change at follow-up.
Family members can play crucial roles in treatment for addictions and other behavioral health challenges, and therefore learn how to utilize MI to evoke motivations toward change.
Until recently, there has been limited work applying Motivational Interviewing to family-centered care. This workshop will introduce core concepts of using MI with family members. Join Dr. Doug Smith as he shares research and strategies from his new book Motivational Interviewing with Families (2025). In this webinar, you will learn how MI can be adapted for use with family members.
Who Can Register?
This training is designed for any helping professional interested in learning more about Motivational with Families.
This workshop is for those new to MI, or intermediate to advanced learners.
After participating in this activity, learners will be able to:
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Explain roles family members may play in treatment for addictions and other behavioral health problems.
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Describe how Motivational Interviewing can be adapted for use with family members.
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Understand the role of change talk in building motivation, and how it is different in the family context.
Join us on March 13th
1:00-2:00pm ET
(12:00pCT/ 11:00aMT/ 10:00aPT/ 5:00pUTC)
Can't attend live? Sign up for recording access.
CE is only provided for live attendance.
Registration ends March 13th at 11:59am ET
Please review our FAQs before registering.
100% Privacy. We Will Never Spam You
Speaker Bio:
Douglas C. Smith, PhD, LCSW
Dr. Smith is Professor of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. He is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and co-chair of MINT's Professional Development Committee. Dr. Smith is a recipient of the Deborah K. Padgett Early Career Achievement Award from the Society for Social Work and Research. His new book Motivational Interviewing with Families (Guilford Press) was published in June 2025.
Continuing Education
MI Center for Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7223. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. MI Center for Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the program
MI Center for Change is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content. MI Center for Change #1911, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval periods (8/20/25-8/20/28).
All trainers at MI Center for Change are members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Click on the logo to check out the MINT website for more info on the MINT!
- Regarding other licensures and certifications, you will be provided with a certificate of completion at course completion, with total course hours, objectives, and trainer bio for submission to your licensure board.
Frequently asked questions
Course Objectives
- Explain roles family members may play in treatment for addictions and other behavioral health problems.
- Describe how Motivational Interviewing can be adapted for use with family members.
- Understand the role of change talk in building motivation, and how it is different in the family context.
What Continuing Education is available?
Receive a certificate for 1 hour of CE for attending this webinar!
We do not provide CE certificate for partial attendance.
Following learning session and completion of End of Course evaluation, participants will receive an email with their downloadable CE certificate with 48 business hours.
This course is approved by the following continuing education listed above, or you can view our course syllabus for more details.
Does your board not accept CE from any of our continuing education providers? Upon workshop completion, you will receive a certificate of 1 hour of CE, and we will provide trainer bio and workshop objects to turn in to your board along with your certificate of completion.
Check out our complete List of CE Approvals here, although the course syllabus lists CE applicable for this course. Those not mentioned in the course syllabus do not apply to this course. MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Please email admin@micenterforchange.com if you have any questions or concerns.
Will I be receiving a recording of the event?
Yes, an email will be sent to everyone who registers whether you are able to attend the live event or not. Please allow 48 business hours after the event to receive an email. This email will contain a recording and any other references mentioned in the event. Registrants have 30 days access to the recording.
System Requirements, Terms and Conditions
Please take the time to read the System Requirements and Terms and Conditions for attending MI Center for Change events. You may view them here.
Why do I need to check my spam folder for event notifications?
MI Center for Change email notifications are sent from our event management system to the email address you used to register for an event. Certain email providers have very sensitive spam filters, your MI Center for Change event notifications may therefore land in your spam folder. While we do our utmost to make sure that you receive all notifications, we advise you to check your spam folder before contacting us, if you notice that you have not received an anticipated email notification about an upcoming event that you have registered for.
Who do I contact with any queries about this course?
Please email admin@micenterforchange.com with any queries you may have about this course. There may be a delay in responding to your query if it is sent to any other email address.
1 Hour Workshop
Motivational Interviewing with Families
Join us on March 13 from 1:00-2:00pm ET
Registration ends March 13 at 11:59am ET
Please review our FAQs before registering.
100% Privacy. We Will Never Spam You!
Get to Know Us!
Contact us for a free MI Exploration Call for your agency or organization.
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Get to Know Us!
Contact us for a free MI Exploration Call for your agency or organization.
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Phone
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