Motivational Interviewing: 
Advancing the Practice 

Specialty Training for Recovery Coaches

“The individual is a garden to be tended, not a machine to be repaired”–Stephen Andrew, HETI Maine

The Motivational Interviewing: Advancing the Practice Specialty Training offers experienced Recovery Coaches the opportunity to gain in-depth, advanced Motivational Interviewing training by an expert whose work intersects with the field of addiction recovery.  Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based skill that is the #1 tool that  Recovery Coaches in Vermont use with their clients to help them in their journey to recovery.  It has been defined as   “…a collaborative conversation style for strengthening an individual’s own motivation to deal with the struggle with risk factors and find their own resiliency” (Miller & Rollnick, 1991, 2013).

During a series of weekly training sessions, a cohort of Recovery Coaches will work directly with training and content expert and substance use disorder and mental health advocate, Stephen R. Andrew, LCSW, LADC, CCS, MINT, and CEO of Health Education and Training Institute (HETI).  Stephen has been a member of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2003 and was awarded the highest honor of “Certified” trainer by MINT in April 2019. Through engaging and interactive training sessions with Stephen Andrew, coaches will expand, increase and refine their motivational interviewing practice. 

As the recovery and behavioral health field continues to evolve, this is a rare opportunity for coaches to get personalized and cutting edge expert training that can immediately be put into practice.  Commitment to this program demonstrates Coaches’ dedication to their continuing education, their workplace, the field of recovery, and to those they serve. These coaches will receive special recognition from Recovery Vermont which will be shared statewide.

Program At a Glance

  • Participants must have previously completed the Vermont Recovery Coach Academy and be currently working or volunteering in recovery resources that serve Vermonters. 
  • The hours of training will fall over the months of January – March, 2022 (calendar is below). All training dates are mandatory as this is a cumulative learning course. Please note any conflicts you may have, ahead of time, in your application. 
  • The training will be held online on Zoom.
  • Coaches who complete the training will leave with an Advanced Motivational Interviewing Specialty credential, a maximum of 19 CEUs that Certified Recovery Coaches can use towards certification renewal, and statewide recognition for their outstanding dedication to the field of recovery. 
  • Please note that filling out an application does not guarantee applicants a spot in this program.
  • This training is offered at no-cost, supported by the Vermont Department of Health, ADAP and the State Opioid Response. 

About the Trainer

Stephen Andrew

Stephen R. Andrew LCSW, LADC, CCS, MINT is a storyteller, trainer, therapist, author and the  CEO (Chief Energizing Officer) of Health Education & Training Institute. He maintains a compassion- focused private practice in Portland, Maine USA where he also facilitates a variety of men’s, women’s, co-ed, and caregiver groups. Stephen has had significant experience working with people suffering with addiction, mental illness and training staff within the Department of Mental Health.

He is also the co-founder of Agape, Inc. which supports the Men’s Resource Center of Southern Maine whose mission is to support boys, men and fathers and oppose violence and Dignity for People Using Opiates, a radical movement to change the conditions precipitating the opiate epidemic in our communities.

Stephen has been a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2003 and became a Certified MINT Trainer in 2019. He has been a MIA-STEP trainer (Motivational Interviewing Assessment; Supervisor Training Program) for the New England ATTC since 2007. Stephen has been MITI (Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity) trained and has over 100 hours of training in Motivational Interviewing. Stephen provides coaching and training domestically and internationally (Singapore, Iceland, China, Canada, Holland, Sweden, Poland, Turkey & UK) for social service agencies, health-care providers, substance abuse counselors, recovery coach specialists, criminal justice, vocational rehabilitation, and other groups on motivational interviewing, addiction, co-occurring disorders, counseling theory, “challenging” adolescents, supervision and ethics for care professionals, men’s work and the power of group work, as well as supervising a coding/coaching laboratory and simulation lab and training for Motivational Interviewing.  

Stephen is the proud father of Sebastian, and co-author of  Game Plan: A Man’s Guide to Achieving Emotional Fitness. 

About the Trainer

Kelly Barton Newkirk

Kelley Barton Newkirk, LMSW-cc, MBA works with individuals, groups, and trains others with the goal of having compassionate conversations that elicit clients’ intrinsic motivation to change. Since 2018, she has worked with Stephen Andrew at the Health Education and Training Institute to enhance her skills in Motivational Interviewing (MI). 

Recently, she was accepted into the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Throughout her career, she has mentored and counseled individuals on identifying their unique strengths and how to focus those strengths on reaching their personal and professional dreams.

Kelley has balanced her professional interests with a passion for the healing arts including yoga, meditation and wellness through nutrition. She is a certified Bikram Yoga Teacher and trained Vinyasa yoga teacher. She previously owned and operated a successful yoga studio in downtown Chicago. Kelley successfully coached her students to apple what they learned “on the mat” to find greater balance in their lives “off the mat.” Kelley currently lives in Falmouth, Maine with her husband, children, and lovable dog Wrigley.

What Our Recent Participants Said


"I got so much out of the Advanced MI training with Stephen Andrew. I learned many new skills and each session left me understanding MI on a deeper, more profound level. There were many opportunities for MI practice, questions and feedback. Stephen was a heartfelt, funny and engaging instructor and he packed the training with such a wealth of knowledge. I would gladly take the training all over again! It has helped me so much in my coaching sessions. I feel I am able to listen more deeply and to be much more empathetic in the way I relate to people I am working with since taking this course. I can't recommend it highly enough!"
Rosemary Rosa

Certified Recovery Coach

Turning Point Center of Central Vermont

"The Advanced MI training was one of the most important trainings I have ever attended. This has not only dramatically changed the way I work, it has also completely changed the way I do life. This was the piece that I was missing to really connect with people, help them make the changes that they want to make in life. Thank you, Recovery Vermont, for bringing this to us!"
Maria Carlson

Certified Recovery Coach

Turning Point of Franklin County

Training Objectives

● Demonstrate the spirit of motivational interviewing into the culture of care.
● Practice the ability to respond to people you serve with empathy & compassion.
● Identify desire, hopes and needs of clients.
● Acknowledge and identify ambivalence and how to elicit change talk/theory.
● Focus on deepening the skills of empathic reflections, open questions and affirmation.
● Hone the skills of identifying, eliciting and solidifying change talk/change theory,
●Practice with peers and professionals in the field. This will include an introduction to the MITI 4.2.1 (Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity) coding and feedback system.

Program Training Calendar

* Please note, all training dates must be attended.* We understand that is a big commitment and may not be suitable for everyone. If you have any conflicts please make sure you state them ahead of time, in your application.

Fall 2022 Session*

OCTOBER

Monday, October 31:  10am -2pm *This is a four-hour training with Kelley Newkirk

 

NOVEMBER

Monday, November 7: 10am- 2pm  *This is a four-hour training

Monday, November 14: 10am – 12pm

Monday, November 21: 10am -12pm with Kelley Newkirk

 

Monday, November 28: 10am -12pm

 

 

DECEMBER

Monday, December 5: 10am -12pm

Monday, December 12 10am -12pm

Monday, December 19: 10am -12pm

 

Coding begins after the training ends. Coding is a unique way to receive constructive feedback on your coaching sessions. To learn more about coding, visit HETI’s website on Coding.an 

Ready to Apply? 

Thank you so much to everyone who applied for the Summer session! Applications for the summer session are now closed. Applications for the fall training will become available six weeks prior to the first training date.

CONTACT US

Recovery Vermont
A program of VAMHAR
100 State Street, Suite 352

Montpelier, VT 05602
(802) 223-6263