Part of my role as a clinical psychologist is to share my knowledge of psychological principles and research with a broad audience. Since 2007, when I was first introduced to Motivational Interviewing (MI), I have been passionate about using this method and teaching it to others. Whether it is working on a team to develop a smoking cessation program for a university that implemented a tobacco free policy or training members of the SWAT team increase emotional intelligence and improve interpersonal skills, training others in MI has been a delight.
Through my clinical work, I have been able to find unique applications for MI, from the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and hoarding, to reinforcing the use of MI with dental office staff and training physicians in primary care. For clinical staff in hospitals, residential facilities and outpatient settings, as well as coaching leaders in business, MI is an effective tool for transforming care, teams and consumers.
In 2025, I joined the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) to be formally recognized as trainer in this meaningful modality.
For both in-person and virtual trainings, my style as a MINT trainer is interactive and engrossing. I make a point to ensure that MI learners actively engage directly with the material, using a variety of techniques from live demonstrations with real-time analysis, structured role-plays with rotating roles, deliberate practice drills, “real” plays, micro-skill competitions, games and guided self-reflection to meet the distinctive desires and requirements of your organization.
MI’s application is broad. In keeping with this and MI’s core principle of collaboration, I partner with you and your team to design a training that reflects the real-world challenges and goals faced by your organization and staff. Whether you work in the medical field and your goal is increasing patient engagement, improving medication adherence, treating substance use disorders and addiction, encouraging lifestyle changes such as smoking, diet or chronic disease management, teaching staff how to de-escalate situations and build rapport, especially in behavioral health crises, or influencing population-level behavior change through one-on-one interactions, or you work as part of a leadership team helping employees overcome ambivalence about new or different work demands, trainings or career changes, or helping staff have more effective, respectful conversations that empower others, each training will be tailored to your organizations specific needs.
To learn more about my experience, services and approach to training, visit my website at www.gabrielcounselingservices.com/training.
Being able to impart the wisdom and knowledge I’ve gained over the course of my career is one of my favorite undertakings. I would be honored to partner with you to create a training for you and your team. To schedule a free, 30-minute consultation with me to discuss MI training options for your organization, contact me directly at DrE@gabrielcounselingservices.com.
