ODL 365: Beyond Buzzwords: Using Motivational Interviewing to Foster Authentic ADEI Environments

Please make sure to check with your own state board to ensure the transferability of CE credit for an asynchronous course. Some state boards may place restrictions regarding the modality of training required for ethics credits to be awarded. If this training indicates ethics credits are available, please verify that your state allows them to be earned through an on-demand course format.

5 CREDIT HOURS APPROVED FOR:

Social Workers
ASWB ACE – 5 Cultural Competence CE Credits
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work – 5 Contact Hours
Psychologists
APA – 5 CE Credits
Counselors
NBCC ACEP – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Addiction Professionals
NAADAC – 5 Contact Hours
Nurses
California Board of Registered Nursing – 5 Contact Hours
New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners – 5 Contact Hours
Case Managers
CCMC – 5 Contact Hours

Created On:  11/3/25                    

Target Audience:

This course is targeted for social workers, psychologists, counselors, nurses and case managers.

Counselor Skill Groups: 

8. Legal, Ethical and Professional Development

Overview:

Creating meaningful and sustainable accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in environments requires more than policy updates and mission statements. It demands a shift in mindset, communication, and interpersonal engagement. This 5-hour training explores how Motivational Interviewing (MI)—a collaborative, person- and relationship-centered communication style—can serve as a powerful tool to engage individuals, teams, and systems in the intentional creation of ADEI-centered experiences.

Through interactive discussions, case studies, and guided practice, participants will explore how the core principles of MI (such as expressing authenticity and empathy, returning to relationship, and supporting self-efficacy) can be used to address implicit bias, foster inclusive dialogue, build trust across differences, and promote cultural humility in a variety of professional settings. Participants will leave equipped with practical MI strategies to apply in supervision, client engagement, workplace culture, and organizational change efforts.

Course Objectives:

By the end of the session, the participant will be able to:

• Define key components of accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) and describe how they intersect with social work and psychology ethical principles.
• Identify the core principles and communication strategies of Motivational Interviewing and explain their relevance in fostering inclusive and equity-driven environments.
• Demonstrate the use of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries (OARS) to engage in genuine, supportive, and responsive dialogue that promotes respect for diversity and culturally responsive practices.
• Analyze case scenarios where Motivational Interviewing can be used to address resistance, promote perspective-taking, and support organizational ADEI goals.
• Develop a personal action plan integrating Motivational Interviewing skills to enhance ADEI efforts in participants’ specific practice or organizational settings.

Presenter:

Rhonda DiNovo, MSW, LISW-CP, ADC

Rhonda DiNovo is Clinical Assistant Professor, MSW Program Director, and Coordinator of the Graduate Drug and Addictions Studies Certificate Program in the College of Social Work at the University of South Carolina.

She teaches graduate-level social work students core theoretical and practice approaches in interdisciplinary health and mental health. Her courses emphasize substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery; and evidence-based interventions such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group work.

In addition to her teaching and administrative roles, Professor DiNovo serves as Field Supervisor and Director of the West Columbia Outreach Program, a police social work initiative within the West Columbia Police Department. The program provides brief screening, assessment, and referral to treatment and community resources for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises.

Professor DiNovo also maintains a part-time private telemental health practice, specializing in addiction and couples therapy. Her career includes serving 3 years as Director of Substance Abuse Prevention and Education at USC and 8 years as a Prevention Specialist for adolescents and families at LRADAC.