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Social Worker and Professional Counselor Workshops

Difficult Conversations: Beyond Basic Motivational Interviewing

Date: Friday, Nov. 17, 2023
Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (with two 10-minute breaks)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Presented by: Melinda Marasch, LCSW
Fee: $99
CEH/CEUs: 4.5 Continuing Education Hours (CEHs)/0.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach for therapists and non-therapist direct care staff. Learn practical application of foundational MI concepts and approaches that you can implement immediately. These approaches assist in efficiently and effectively developing rapport, meeting the client where they are, and supporting mandated and voluntary clients toward behavior change.

Learning Objectives:
After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Describe Motivational Interviewing (including the MI Spirit)
  • Recognize the power of engagement/demonstrating understanding with clients
  • Define/recognize change talk, sustain talk and discordance
  • Observe and practice fundamental skills: Reflective listening, open-ended questions, affirmations, and summarization
  • Plan how to use MI in your work

Trainer Biography:
Melinda Marasch, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a social work/mental health consultant. Marasch has dedicated more than 20 years to her passion in helping others. She specializes in clinical training, supervision and development of programs for therapists and non-therapist direct care workers. She is a member of the international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and has completed a Traumatic Stress Studies course in Trauma Informed Care. As a result, her expertise includes training and consulting across the U.S. on Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care, as well as on self-care, mental health issues, de-escalation, change management, and more. Marasch has experience in school, residential and outpatient care, within criminal justice (many armed services veterans), healthcare (e.g. HIV/AIDS medical case managers, patient navigators), public (e.g. department of human services case workers), and community-based organizations.


Registration Deadlines: The registration deadline for each of the workshops is 10 business days before the program starts. After this date, please call the UW Oshkosh Division of Online and Continuing Education at (920) 424-1129 to determine program availability.

Questions and More Information: Questions concerning registration and program content should be directed to the Division of Online and Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, 800 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh, WI 54901-8623. Please call (920) 424-1129.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received 10 business days before the program will receive a full refund, minus a $35 processing charge. No refunds will be given for cancellations received less than 10 business days before the program. UW Oshkosh reserves the right to cancel any program due to insufficient enrollment, as well as the right to limit enrollment due to excessive demand. UW Oshkosh is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. If you need special assistance and/or accommodations, please notify us by the registration deadline. All requests will be kept confidential.


Click Here for a listing of Social Work and Counseling programs offered by University of Wisconsin Green Bay Continuing Professional Education.