Part 8: Evidence-Based Approaches for Addressing Adolescent Substance Use: A Deep-Dive into Motivational Interviewing

Presenter: Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC

Learning Objectives

Learners will describe the key tenets and core skills of Motivational Interviewing.
Learners will explain the four tasks of Motivational Interviewing and provide specific examples of how they can be applied when working with adolescents who use substances.
Learners will discuss how Motivational Interviewing elicits and strengthens adolescents’ own reasons for change through the use of directional reflections and evoking strategies.

CE Credit: 1 NBCC Hours; 0 CRCC Hours; 1 WA Hours; 0 APT Hours; 1 NAADAC Hours; 1 NY Hours; 0 Ethics Hours

Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC

Amanda L. Giordano, PhD, LPC is an associate professor at the University of Georgia who specializes in addictions counseling. She is the sole author of a clinical reference book titled, A Clinical Guide to Treating Behavioral Addictions and co-author of a textbook titled, Addiction Counseling: A Practical Approach. Dr. Giordano also created two online credential courses with Mental Health Academy that focus on clinical work with behavioral addictions, and clinical work with substance use disorders. As a scholar, Dr. Giordano works to advance the counseling field with rigorous research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. In 2018, she received the Addictions/Offender Educator of Excellence Award from the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors and in 2024 she was awarded the Garry R. Waltz Trailblazer Award from the American Counseling Association in recognition of her work with behavioral addictions. Dr. Giordano collaborates with domestic and international organizations to provide trainings to increase awareness related to addictions counseling and has been an invited keynote speaker. She maintains a blog called Understanding Addiction for Psychology Today and has been a guest on several podcasts.