Christian Spiritual Approaches to Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing, as developed by Miller and Rollnick (2002), is an evidence-based method for assisting clients to identify and resolve ambivalence about change. It is both client centered and directive.
Jesus demonstrated expert skill in motivational interviewing during interactions with people He encountered, as recorded in the Gospels. This training will focus on the core theory and skills of motivational interviewing, with emphasis on how Jesus identified and resolved ambivalence. Examples of how Biblical terminology and world view of the Christian faith can be integrated into motivational interviewing will also be discussed.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Examine the theory and principles of Motivational Interviewing and gain an understanding of the core skills of Motivational Interviewing
2. Discover how Jesus modeled and utilized MI skills (as found in the Gospels)
3. Learn strategies for interventions with clients using Biblically-based motivational interviewing language
Kenneth received a BA in Social Work from Old Dominion University and an MSW from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is currently an LCSW and a LCAS in North Carolina, conducting clinical practice in Fayetteville and Sanford and serving as Chief Substance Abuse Professional for a medically supervised detoxification program. He has been an active member of NACSW since 1979, serving on the Board from 1987 to 1990, presenting at several national conventions and being published in NACSW's journal, Social Work and Christianity. He also played a key role in the development of the North Carolina chapter of NACSW.