Price: $180 per person

Training Dates: June 8, 15, & 22, 2026  Time: 9:00 am – 11:00 am PST

Held Via Zoom

Course Description: 

In this course, participants will build a deep and foundational knowledge of core Motivational Interviewing (MI) concepts, such as OARS, the seven kinds of change talk (and how each relates to the stage of change), the tasks of MI, and building client trust. Through interactive activities, participants will be introduced to the principles of MI, including its spirit of partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation. The course also covers MI communication skills that enhance client engagement, particularly in communities where barriers to care and historical trauma may impact clients seeking the care they need and deserve. Attendees will participate in several practice activities, demonstrations, and guided reflection to practically apply the skills

By the conclusion of this workshop, participants will:

• Explain the core concepts of Motivational Interviewing, including the spirit of MI and identifying change talk.
• Demonstrate the use of MI communication skills (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing – OARS).
• Identify opportunities to apply MI principles to support trust-building and client engagement, particularly when working with underserved and unserved populations

About the Trainer: 

Melanie Davis, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, clinical supervision, and workforce development. She currently serves as Lead Clinical Workforce Development Facilitator at Community Solutions, where she designs and delivers evidence-based training, mentors clinicians, and supports organizational learning initiatives. Her clinical expertise serving children, adults, couples, and families includes TF-CBT, EMDR, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety, and Family Systems therapy, and she is a Certified Instructor in Crisis Prevention Institute’s Nonviolence Crisis Intervention model. A BBS-approved clinical supervisor, Melanie has extensive experience providing reflective supervision, Medi-Cal/CalAIMs compliance training, and continuing education for mental health professionals. She is passionate about advancing equitable access to care, reducing stigma, and strengthening the behavioral health workforce.

CE’s: Course meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. CAMFT Provider #129412.

Community Solutions is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and/or LEPs. Community Solutions maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.

Course completion certificates will be issued at the end of the course upon verification of attendance and once the required course evaluation has been completed.

Cancelation Policy: Cancellations are requested at least 48 hours prior to the training day. Kindly email Trainings@communitysolutions.org  to un-enroll from the training if you unable to attend after registration in order to receive a refund.

Questions? Please contact our Training Division:
Training@communitysolutions.org or 408-846-4791

If you need special accommodations to ensure a comfortable learning experience please contact our Training Division.

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