Keeping It Real & Professional

Keeping It Real & Professional: Motivational Interviewing and Ethical Self-Disclosure in

Recovery Work

Training Description:

This 3-hour interactive training is designed for recovery coaches, peer supports, and board

members working in addiction recovery. Participants will explore the meaning of

professionalism in recovery work, learn how to apply motivational interviewing (MI) techniques

to client interactions involving lived experiences, and develop a clear framework for ethical and

effective self-disclosure. Through real-world examples, guided practices, and open discussion,

this training equips recovery professionals with tools to build trust, honor their own experiences,

and maintain strong professional boundaries.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

● Define key elements of professionalism in the context of addiction recovery services.

● Demonstrate motivational interviewing strategies when supporting individuals with lived

experience.

● Identify appropriate scenarios for self-disclosure and apply ethical decision-making in

sharing lived experiences.

● Differentiate between supportive disclosure and boundary-crossing behaviors in recovery

support.

Training Agenda:

11:00 – 11:15 AM – Welcome & Introductions: What Does It Mean to Be a Professional?

11:15 – 12:00 PM – Section 1: Professionalism as an Addictions Professional Boundaries, language, modeling recovery, case study breakout

12:00 – 12:45 PM – Section 2: Using MI to Explore Lived Experiences

OARS recap, change talk, reflective listening, guided practice

12:45 – 1:00 PM – Break

1:00 – 1:45 PM – Section 3: Ethical Self-Disclosure in Recovery Work Guidelines for sharing, ethical decision-making framework, practice

1:45 – 2:00 PM – Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways & Evaluation

Host or Publisher HEAL Holistic Journey Services