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Motivational Interviewing

Listening to Understand When Clients are in Struggle

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April 10, 2026, 8:30 - 10:30am CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Register

Course Description

During this session we will review the basics of motivational interviewing, and then see ways to apply these tools to better understand a client's mental health. You will also learn how to implement a crisis/wellness plan for clients that are navigating mental health challenges. 

Learning Objectives:

  • To learn the meaning and utility of motivational interviewing in practice.
  • To review the core skills of motivational interviewing. 
  • To practice using these skills when clients are struggling. 
  • To learn how to complete a wellness/crisis plan with clients. 

About the Trainer

Kim Davidson, LCSW

Kim Davidson, LCSW

Kim Davidson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a BSW/MSW Social Work Instructor.  Kim has been teaching social work for over twelve years. She also provides therapy in a private practice setting and is also a consultant for several local social work agencies. Kim has also been practicing social work for 15 years, and previously worked at Deborah’s Place for 11 years as their Clinical Services Director and a Program Administrator. As the Clinical Services Director, Kim was responsible for implementing all clinical programming throughout Deborah’s Place.  This included providing staff development opportunities, supervising case management and health services staff, overseeing the social work internship program, and ensuring that Deborah’s Place consistently implemented their theoretical approaches and evidence-based practices throughout their housing programs.   Prior to her work as Clinical Services Director, Kim was the Program Administrator for the Safe Haven and Patty Crowley Apartments.  In this role, she worked to oversee two housing programs for highly vulnerable women, and she specialized in working with severe and persistent mental health symptoms.  In addition, she has experience in HIV case management, street outreach, and women’s health.  Kim is passionate about exploring the intersections of gender, trauma, substance use, mental illness, and homelessness and she works to incorporate this interest into her practice.