MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING
TRAINING, COACHING, CONSULTING
Training and Tools to Support Your Practice.
We help individuals and organizations implement Motivational Interviewing to enhance their ability to engage and motivate their clients and patients.
MI FOR CHANGE

Trainers
We are members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers; have over 25 years of experience training and coaching thousands of professionals in the fields of healthcare. substance abuse, corrections, youth, the elderly, homelessness, mental health, entertainment, and employment. We work with dedicated people who have a tough job--our goal is to make their jobs easier.
Mary Beth Abella, MSW, is a Motivational Interviewing Trainer and Consultant with a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Denver and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers since 2008. She has trained thousands of professionals in healthcare, mental health, substance use, corrections, employment and other fields, was the Project Manager of the MI/TND research study at USC's Keck School of Medicine, and also provides MI health and career coaching in private practice.
Liz Barnett, MSW, Ph.D. is a Motivational Interviewing Trainer and MINT member since 2005. She has a Master’s in Social Work from Boston University and a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California Department of Preventive Medicine. In 2017, she developed the MI CompanionTM, an online training & practice platform. She provides MI training, coaching, and feedback to professionals in healthcare, social work, criminal justice, mental health, and substance use, among other fields. She is the published author of several book chapters and articles on youth, health, and change talk.
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Liz Barnett, MSW, Ph.D. can now be reached through drlizbarnett.com
TRAINING AND COACHING SERVICES
Whether you are from an organization, government agency, school, or healthcare company seeking introductory or advanced training for staff, students, supervisors, managers, or leaders, or you're seeking feedback and coaching post training for yourself or others, we want to make learning Motivational Interviewing accessible and attainable. Take a look at some of the services we offer, but know that we love designing training and coaching programs that fit our clients' individual goals, budgets, and schedules.
We train healthcare and human services professionals, students, therapists, supervisors, managers, and organizational leaders to create successful relationships.

FEEDBACK AND COACHING
Gaining Skills Post Workshop/Training
Did you have a workshop but need practice and feedback to improve skills? Just some ways to get coaching:
*30 minute feedback session with a trainer via phone or webcam
*30 minute feedback session with written feedback. This allows you to track your progress.
*Immediate feedback during a 30 minute role play session with a standardized patient (actor). The trainer will coach you as you role-play.
TRAINING WEBINARS
Online Training
Tailored to You
It's tough for staff to find the time to get trained. Yet professionals need skills that will help improve outcomes. We tailor our webinars for organizations. It can be convenient and cost effective for large groups.
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If you're looking for a complete stand-alone online training package, check out the MI Companion.
Tips Delivered Straight to your Inbox
SOME FOLKS WE'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF TRAINING
Antelope Valley Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA)
California State University Institute for Palliative Care
CalOptima
Child Abuse Prevention Center
Children's Institute
District of Hawaii Pre Trial Services
Exceptional Family Resource Center, San Diego
Helix Charter High School, La Mesa, CA
Jewish Family Services of San Diego
Kasier Permanente Center for Healthy Living
LA City Attorney's Neighborhood Justice Program
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, CalWORKs
Los Angeles County Department of Probation
Los Angeles, LGBT Center
North Los Angeles Regional Center
Partners in Care Foundation
South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
Telecare
USC Family Caregiver Support Center
USC Maternal Child and Adolescent/Adult Center for Infectious Diseases and Virology
UCI, Nurse Practitioner Program
Venice Community Housing Corporation
Volunteers of America
Westside Regional Center
WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US...
"Simply put, Mary Beth is a dynamic presenter. She utilizes many resources to make her presentations come alive! She is very skilled at drawing her audiences' attention throughout the training. It is evident that she is passionate about the subject matter and her excitement for MI is contagious!"
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Christina Baker, RN
We have contracted with Dr. Barnett for a couple of years now to provide Motivational Interviewing training for our school mental health staff and she has not disappointed! She provides an engaging training, which utilizes role plays and exercises which help bring Motivational Interviewing to life. Out attendees have left very positive feedback about the training and have indicated that they feel more equipped to begin utilizing the skills and express interest in wanting to learn even more.
Stacy Alvey, Mental Health Coordinator, Antelope Valley Special Education Local Planning Area (SELPA)
"I wanted to express how impressed I am with the services that were provided by Ms. Mary Beth Abella-Jacks. Not only was she kind and supportive, but also helped my Motivational Interviewing skills grow much more than I expected. I have been through Motivational Interviewing trainings several times over the past few years but her coaching was more helpful than any I have ever received."
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Krista Matthews, RD, DaVita
"I would highly recommend Mary Beth to any group or individual, as she is able to create a non-judgmental, growth oriented atmosphere in which people can experiment with MI techniques as they find their clinical voices."
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Joey Shanley, LCSW, Actors Fund