Ten individuals from the Department of Corrections have recently been certified as Motivational Interviewing Instructors. Congratulations to Richard Podguski, Luis Resto, Tim Hollsopple, Gale Sherrid, Ed Yescavage, Keith Fenstemaker, Wendy Hoerner, William Hepner and Jeffrey Wilson!
These individuals are now certified to deliver fundamental and advanced instruction in Motivational Interviewing techniques. Motivational Interviewing is a directive, client-centered, evidence-based counseling style that helps inmates and reentrants change their behavior and resolve ambivalence. Compared with non-directive counseling, directive counseling is more focused and goal-directed. Although the Bureau of Treatment Services (BTS) has hosted Motivational Interviewing trainings previously, the most recent Motivational Interviewing trainings include the most up-to-date interventions, which were created by the Center for Strength-Based Strategies. Within the coming months, Motivational Interviewing trainings will be conducted in the Commonwealth. This training is a requirement for all treatment specialists.
The first Motivational Interviewing training was conducted at the Department of Corrections (DOC) Training Academy on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24, 2019. The trainers were Richard Podguski, Luis Resto, Tim Hollsopple, Gale Sherrid, Ed Yescavage and Keith Fenstemake. The training was successful and various staff participants look forward to utilizing a variety of Motivational Interviewing techniques they learned.
For questions regarding Motivational Interviewing, contact Cheryl Horner, Chief of Treatment, BTS, or Richard Podguski, Chief of Reentry Programs.