Motivational Interviewing and the Ethics of Behavior Change: Metaphor, Meaning-Making, and Reflective Clinical Practice
Helping people change is one of the greatest privileges - and one of the greatest ethical responsibilities - we have as helping professionals.
What to Expect
Time: 9:00 AM MT / 8:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM CT / 11:00 AM ET
This 3-hour interactive virtual training explores motivational interviewing through the lenses of ethics, reflective practice, and metaphor. Participants will examine how helping professionals influence change while honoring client autonomy, values, culture, and lived experience.
Through discussion, clinical examples, guided reflection, and experiential exercises, we’ll explore how to listen more deeply for meaning, recognize the ethical dimensions of behavior change, and use metaphor thoughtfully to support insight and engagement.
Participants Will Leave With
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Practical motivational interviewing strategies that can be applied immediately
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A clearer understanding of the ethical dimensions of influence and behavior change
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Greater confidence navigating autonomy, values, and clinician influence
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Practical ways to recognize and work with client metaphors
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Strategies for listening beneath the surface of clients’ language for meaning, values, and motivation
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Opportunities for reflective practice and professional self-awareness
This workshop welcomes both professionals who are new to motivational interviewing and those seeking to deepen an established practice.
Who Should Attend?
This training is designed for helping professionals who believe meaningful change begins with compassionate, ethical, and collaborative conversations.
Ideal for:
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Clinical social workers
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Professional counselors
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Marriage and family therapists
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Psychologists
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Substance use counselors
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Behavioral health professionals
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Case managers
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Clinical supervisors
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Masters level interns in the helping professions
