Training Title:
Motivating the Adolescent Substance User for Change

Clock Hours: 2

Objectives:
After completing this course, participants should be able to: • Describe the biopsychosocial model of understanding addiction • Identify and describe the developmental tasks of adolescence • Identify and describe the signs and symptoms of adolescent substance use • Identify intervention strategies for working with and addressing the needs of substance-affected youth • Describe the philosophy of motivational interviewing • Demonstrate the ability to use motivational interviewing techniques in assessing a client’s needs • Describe the Stages of Change and be able to demonstrate the ability to identify client’s readiness to change • Discuss the concept of counter-motivation • Describe ways to manage counter motivation • Demonstrate skills for using Elements of Change to increase positive motivation in the substance affected client

Description:
Working with adolescents can be challenging in the best of circumstances. Even teens that come from supportive, healthy environments and are developmentally on track can be difficult. If the teen has begun to use substances, the challenge for those adults working with them is clearly increased. This course will first discuss some of the concerns and realities of teen substance use. It will also provide insights and skills for developing rapport and increasing the teen’s motivation for healthier behaviors, particularly in regard to their substance use patterns. Keywords: Motivating Adolescent Substance User, Biopsychosocial model, Motivational Interviewing, Counter-Motivation, Stages of Change, Elements of Change, Intervention Strategies

Approval Bodies