“Interviewing for Engagement”

Many people who seek mental health care drop out. By some estimates, 70% that drop out do so after their first or second visit. The first moments of interaction between a therapist and a person seeking care for a behavioral health condition can set the tone and course of treatment. In this workshop, attendees will examine their role in engaging clients in their own treatment and establishing a therapeutic alliance.

In this workshop, attendees will examine their role in engaging clients in their own treatment and establishing a therapeutic alliance.

This workshop is approved for 3.0 CE clock hours; it was not reviewed for NBCC credits.

For more information, contact CAHS Program Manager John Nosacka, LCSW-BACS, MSHCM, via email at John.Nosacka@la.gov

About the Presenters: John Nosacka, LCSW, is a licensed social worker and graduate of LSU School of Social Work. His professional experience has been mostly in the areas of substance abuse, HIV, and emergency psychiatric assessment. John also holds a Master of Science in Health Care Management and was trained as a paralegal. He currently works for the Capital Area Human Services (CAHS) as Program Manager for Training, Emergency Preparedness, and Special Projects. John serves as CAHSD’s Privacy Officer and coordinator for interns. He is a pragmatic problem solver and shares common sense processes and solutions whenever possible. Sarah Marcello, LMSW, is CAHS’ School Based Therapist at McKinley High School. She regularly interviews adolescent clients and sometimes their parents and teachers as well. Sarah’s degrees are from Louisiana State University. She earned a B.A. in history in 2001, a Bachelor of Civil Law and Juris Doctorate in 2004, and a Masters of Social Work in 2017. Prior to receiving her LMSW, Sarah worked for over ten years as a legal services attorney, primarily preserving and obtaining housing for impoverished clients. In this role, she interviewed thousands of clients, and specialized in working with people who are chronically homeless and severely mentally ill.