This training is offered through a regional partnership between the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center and the South Piedmont Area Health Education Center.

In this three-hour webinar, Dr. Ricciutti will address Motivational Interviewing (MI) skills which are highly relevant to many clinical and communication-focused professions. Individuals working in hospitals, non-profit agencies, private practices and academic settings can benefit from learning these skills to help people change.

Motivational Interviewing is an essential approach for treating individuals with substance use disorders or addiction. This goal-directed communication style emphasizes the language of change, helping clients resolve ambivalence, feel understood, and align their values and goals with personal choices. Despite its effectiveness, MI is often underutilized or applied incorrectly with those struggling with addiction.

This training will equip clinicians, future clinicians, and researchers with a deeper understanding this approach and its benefits for improving client outcomes and reducing clinician burnout. Participants will explore the theoretical foundation of MI and review key concepts including core principles, the spirit behind the method, and fundamental techniques.

About the Speaker

Dr. Natalie Ricciutti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. She received her Ph.D. from Kent State University and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Clinical Addiction Specialist. Dr. Ricciutti’s clinical, research, and teaching expertise are in addictions counseling and education. She is an advocate for providing counseling students with the necessary information and education about substance use disorders, process/behavioral disorders, and the treatment of both using Motivational Interviewing (MI). Dr. Ricciutti has been practicing using MI for years, and teaches an MI-focused addiction intervention course. Dr. Ricciutti also researches the impact of stigma in treatment of addictions and readiness to decrease substance use across communities.