🚨 Oregon, I’m coming your way! 🚨

In just two weeks, I’ll be heading to Oregon to train the dedicated staff of the Oregon Department of Human Services in Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing (MI)!

This full-day, interactive training is designed to equip child welfare and self-sufficiency professionals with essential skills to engage clients more effectively, navigate resistance with empathy, and support sustainable behavior change—all through a trauma-informed lens.

Why Integrate Trauma-Informed Care into Motivational Interviewing?

Traditional MI is a powerful tool for fostering change, but when we layer in trauma-informed principles, we amplify its effectiveness. Many clients who receive human services support have experienced significant adversity, and understanding the impact of trauma can transform the way we listen, respond, and empower.

Here are five key insights that make Trauma-Informed MI a game-changer:

🔹 Trauma Manifests as Ambivalence – What looks like "resistance" may actually be a survival strategy. Understanding this allows practitioners to meet clients where they are, rather than seeing hesitation as unwillingness.

🔹 Safety Before Strategy – No amount of motivation can break through when someone doesn’t feel emotionally safe. Before guiding change, we must create an environment where clients feel heard, not judged.

🔹 Language Can Trigger or Soothe – The way we phrase things matters. Words can either reinforce power imbalances or promote autonomy and dignity.

🔹 Empowerment Over “Fixing” – The goal is not to “fix” clients, but to help them harness their own strengths. A trauma-informed approach shifts the focus from authority-led change to client-driven solutions.

🔹 Trust is Ongoing – Trust is not built in a single interaction. It’s earned over time and must be actively maintained—especially when working with individuals who have experienced relational trauma.

What to Expect from This Training?

This is not a lecture-based training. Participants will engage in:

✅ Role-playing exercises to practice real-world client interactions.

✅ Case studies that illustrate trauma-informed MI in action.

✅ Hands-on activities to build confidence in applying these skills.

✅ Self-care strategies for professionals, ensuring they can sustain their impact without burnout.

At the end of the day, our work is about helping helpers, so they can help others. When we strengthen how we communicate, we create ripple effects that change lives.

See you soon, Oregon! 🌲💙

📢 Are you or your team looking for training in Trauma-Informed MI?

I’d love to bring this important work to more organizations! Let’s equip more professionals with the tools they need to support lasting change.

Schedule a Call