Motivational Interviewing Certification Course (10 CE)

Course Title: Motivational Interviewing Certification Course (10 CE) - Live Online Interactive
CE Hours: 10
Target Audience: Social workers, Psychologists, Counselors, MFT
Course Level: Introductory

Course Format: Live online, interactive

Presented By: Rhonda DiNovo, LMSW MSW, ADC-IP, Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Coordinator, College of Social Work – University of South Carolina

Content Created and Reviewed By: Jessica Patterson, LISW, DSW, CEU Creations Educational Manager

Bios: 

Professor DiNovo is Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Director, and Coordinator of the Graduate Drug and Addictions Studies Certificate Program in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina. She teaches graduate-level social work students core theoretical and practice approaches in interdisciplinary health and mental health. Her courses emphasize substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery, and evidence-based interventions such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group work. In addition to her teaching and administrative roles, Professor DiNovo serves as Field Supervisor and Director of the West Columbia Outreach Program, a police social work initiative within the West Columbia Police Department. The program provides brief screening, assessment, and referral to treatment and community resources for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises. Professor DiNovo also maintains a part-time private telemental health practice, specializing in addiction and couples therapy. Her career includes serving 3 years as Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education at USC and 8 years as a Prevention Specialist for adolescents and families at LRADAC.

Course Description (Day 1): Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, evidence-informed approach that helps people explore ambivalence and move toward change. This course introduces MI’s history, spirit, and core processes, and translates ethics into everyday practice. Through demonstrations and guided practice, participants learn reflective listening, OARS (Open questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries) skills, and strategies for evoking change talk—while examining bias, culture, and power dynamics that shape client engagement. The session emphasizes self-reflection, self-monitoring, and professional boundaries to align MI practice with prevailing ethical standards.

Learning Objectives (Day 1): 

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

1. Recall the basic terminology and framework of motivational interviewing.
2. Examine the meaning of using style and spirit with motivational interviewing techniques.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the motivational interviewing process.
4. Discover basic techniques for using motivational interviewing in each process step.
5. Identify and evaluate how biases and diversity influence Motivational Interviewing practice.
6. Examine the practice of reflection, self-monitoring, and regulation to ensure ethical practice in Motivational Interviewing.

Timed Agenda (Day 1): 

5:45 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. Log in and Networking

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Foundations of Clinical Supervision

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Midway Reset

9:40 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Foundations of Clinical Supervision

Course Description (Day 2): Designed for practitioners with prior MI exposure, this advanced course deepens skill with focused, hands-on practice. Build precision in recognizing and shaping change talk, responding to sustain talk, and resolving discord as you move from engaging to focusing, evoking, and planning. Participants will refine strategies to strengthen commitment language, integrate MI with other modalities, and adapt MI across diverse settings and populations. The day features deliberate practice, structured peer feedback, and guided self-reflection to support continued growth toward competency-based MI.

Learning Objectives (Day 2): 

By the end of the training, participants will be able to: 

1. Define Motivational Interviewing and describe how motivational interviewing can augment the initial clinical encounter.
2. Explain how to engage the client and appropriately respond to the client’s stage of change, ambivalence, and resistance.
3. Identify a variety of communication skills that soften client sustainability talk and elicit and amplify change talk.
4. Recognize effective strategies for resolving relational discord.
5. Describe signs of readiness for change and strategies that assist and support clients in preparing for change and commitment growth.
6. Describe methods for self-reflection and monitoring of professional growth in MI competency-based practice.

Timed Agenda (Day 2): 

5:45 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. PST Log in and Networking

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Applied Supervision Practice

9:00 a.m. – 9:40 a.m. Midway Reset

9:40 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Applied Supervision Practice

Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0112.

Association for the Advanced Training in the Behavioral Sciences is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Counselors as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed counselors #MHC-0165.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 17161 for 12 contact hours.

CE Certificate: After successfully completing all the requirements of the course, you will be able to access your CE certificate in your online student account. 

System Requirements:

Internet: broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE)
Supported browsers:

Windows: Internet Explorer 11+, Edge 12+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
macOS: Safari 7+, Firefox 27+, Chrome 30+
Linux: Firefox 27+. Chrome 30+

Grievance/Refund Policy/Cancellation Policy
AATBS is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the major mental health approving boards. AATBS will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Program Director in consultation with the members of the continuing education committee.

Customer satisfaction is important to us. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, please send your complaint or questions in writing to info@aatbs.com. You can view our refund policy here.

For additional information, including our Cancellation Policy, please review our Terms & Conditions.

Accommodations for Disabilities

To request accommodation; please contact our office at 1-800-472-1931 or email info@aatbs.com.