Motivational Interviewing (MI) with Children, Youth, and Families

Registration & CEs $395.00

Seats

Training Dates

Day 1 - July 22, 2026 from 9:00am to 12:00pm (PT)

Day 2 - July 29, 2026 from 9:00am to 12:00pm (PT)

Training Description

This interactive training provides behavioral health professionals, educators, case managers, and family-serving providers with practical skills in applying Motivational Interviewing when working with children, adolescents, and families. Participants will learn how to build engagement, strengthen motivation for change, reduce disengagement, and support collaborative goal setting using developmentally responsive and culturally affirming approaches.

The training explores core MI principles including empathy, partnership, autonomy support, and evoking change talk while addressing common challenges encountered in work with youth and caregivers. Special attention is given to family dynamics, trauma-informed engagement, ambivalence, behavioral concerns, school and community stressors, and supporting caregivers through difficult conversations.

Through case examples, demonstrations, and skill-building activities, participants will practice strategies to enhance communication, improve treatment engagement, and foster resilience and self-efficacy in children, youth, and families across community mental health, school-based, healthcare, probation, and social service settings.

Participants will learn to:

Understand the core principles and spirit of Motivational Interviewing
Apply MI skills with children, adolescents, and caregivers
Recognize and respond to ambivalence and resistance
Use reflective listening and change talk strategies effectively
Support collaborative and strengths-based goal setting
Integrate trauma-informed and culturally responsive engagement practices
Improve family engagement and participation in services

Upon completing the live virtual training, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance for attending the training.

Trainer: Kristin Dempsey, EdD., LMFT, LPCC

Delivery Method: Live Virtual Via Zoom

Prerequisites: None

CE Hours: Pending Approval

Target Audience: Clinicians, educators, peers, probation staff and family serving professionals

There is no known commercial support for this webinar.

All training materials will be provided the week prior to the training.

Refund Policy

By registering for this training, you agree to be responsible for the full registration fee, regardless of attendance. Refunds will be honored if a written cancellation request is received at least five (5) business days prior to the first day of the training. All approved refunds will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee, which will be deducted from the total refund amount. Please allow up to six (6) weeks from the date of the cancellation request for refunds to be processed.

Continuing Education

All activities in this training are offered for continuing education credit excluding any breaks. CE Certificates of Completion will be emailed within two weeks of processing your completed online evaluation.

PSYCHOLOGISTS - APA

California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CIBHS is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP17140 for TBD contact hours.

LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs

CIBHS is an approved provider for the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) to sponsor continuing education. CIBHS maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content. Course meets the qualifications for TBD hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. (Provider Number70799)

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists

Certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists are eligible to earn TBD continuing education hours as CIBHS is a CalMHSA-approved CE training provider.

For questions, comments, or grievances about this CE course content or delivery, or to request special accommodations, please email Robin Texeira at rtexeira@cibhs.org.