Vermont Adept Educational Institute Events

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Reducing Stigma and Reclaiming Identity: Self-Affirmed Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy

This session introduces self-affirmed motivational interviewing, an adaptation of motivational interviewing that strategically amplifies the use of affirmation to reduce self-stigma and strengthen motivation for change. Participants will learn how self-affirmation processes can be integrated into motivational interviewing and applied with individuals who have experienced traumatic stressors, including racial trauma. Drawing on research and clinical applications, the session will examine how self-affirmed motivational interviewing can support engagement, reduce self-stigma, and promote recovery. Role plays and clinical demonstrations will be used to enhance skill acquisition and facilitate application in practice settings.

Thursday, November 5 at 11:00 AM

Person-Centered Planning

The Behavioral Health system of care has shifted the focus from provider centered care planning to a collaborative shared decision-making process involving the individual in recognition of their unique strengths, goals, preferences, culture, and definition of recovery. This shift requires providers and systems to adjust how care plans are created and services are delivered. This course provides a basic understanding and framework for person centered care planning across disciplines and roles.

Monday, November 9 & Monday, November 16

Development and Delivery of Adult IOP

Psychoeducational groups have become a foundation of the treatment process in both substance use and co-occurring disorders treatment modalities. This is especially true in outpatient settings where staff teach new skill sets while the client is still exposed daily to challenges and triggers. However, it is rare that staff have been specifically trained in the development and delivery of psychoeducational materials and the many facets that can make it an extremely productive intervention, or one that results in very little retention and application of the material presented. Psychoeducation is only useful if it results in knowledge and skill development that can be utilized immediately and "in the moment" it is needed. How information is chosen, taught, and reinforced during and across learning sessions can create opportunities for growth or result in the information being lost from memory beginning moments after it was taught. This training will occur in two separate sessions.