Eleison’s Executive Director, Dr. Laura Cordisco Tsai, recently conducted an Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) training in Cambodia for social workers and case workers from the International Justice Mission (IJM) Asia Pacific regional team, including staff from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. The MI training equipped IJM staff with practical skills and techniques to communicate with survivors using a trauma-informed approach.
MI is an evidence-based, person-centered counseling approach that aims to strengthen a person’s motivation for and commitment to change. MI can be adopted by anyone, regardless of their professional background or prior experience. It is a trauma-informed communication style that has been proven to promote positive behavior among clients, increase their engagement and retention in services, and enhance their overall satisfaction with services.
At Eleison, we provide introductory-level training on MI for individuals involved in providing social services. The training covers the core definitions and concepts of MI, such as ambivalence, change talk, sustain talk, and the skills, and spirit of MI. The training will include practice exercises and role-plays, which will serve to enhance the participants’ ability to utilize MI techniques effectively. In addition, agency supervisors can benefit from management consultations to help them integrate MI into their staff development plans and organizational processes or systems.
After completing Eleison’s Introduction to MI training, the participants shared their positive experiences and emphasized the impact it had on their professional skills. One participant shared: “You’re an amazing teacher and counselor, Laura! Thanks for working so hard to support IJM and your clients!” Trainees noted the relevance of the training in equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to more effectively communicate with survivors. They highlighted the training’s emphasis on practical techniques that they could use in their day-to-day work with clients on a variety of concerns, ranging from investigations to case management. They expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to improve their communication and counseling skills in engaging with their clients.
We are open to conducting MI training for other service providers, and we offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid training for agencies globally, depending on their needs and priorities. Organizations can contract for a 1-day, 1.5-day, or 2-day training. For flexibility, virtual training can be provided via mini-sessions spread across multiple days. If your organization is interested in receiving MI training, please contact us at info@eleisonfoundation.org or message us here.
