Helping Professionals Utilize Microskills to Promote Engagement
Presenters: Rachel Tambling, Ph.D., LMFT; and Carissa D’Aniello-Heyda, Ph.D., LMFT
Microskills refer to specific communication techniques and strategies that are employed to establish rapport and effectively interact with families. These skills are essential in everyday interactions and significantly influence how we communicate, solve problems, work together, and handle tasks when engaging with families. Despite their significance, the development of these skills is often overlooked or undervalued. The presenters will address this knowledge gap by providing participants with an overview of essential microskills that enhance engagement with clients or students. The presenters also will provide guidance on creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their views and embracing diverse perspectives. Additionally, the presenters will cover techniques for promoting effective interactions during helping tasks and fostering personal reflections to facilitate behavioral changes.
Specifically, participants will be introduced to various microskills—including active listening, minimal encouragers, reflection and reframing, and different types of questioning—through demonstrations. Participants will learn how to select the most appropriate question type for different situations. Moreover, participants will practice microskills (e.g., active listening and questioning techniques) during the webinar. By honing these skills, attendees will be better equipped to develop productive helping relationships with families and achieve positive outcomes in their support efforts.
Attendees will leave this webinar with the ability to:
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Establish effective helping relationships;
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Apply microskills to increase client engagement; and
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Develop questioning techniques that encourage thoughtful reflection.
Intended audience: The information shared will be beneficial for therapists (or those studying to become therapists), but the skills can also be used by Family Science professionals (e.g., CFLEs) during group facilitation, coaching, and when engaged in direct service with clients.
Approved for 1 hour of CFLE continuing education.
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About the Presenters
The views expressed by the webinar presenters are their own.
Rachel Tambling, Ph.D., LMFT is a professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut, a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist, and a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Tambling is a mental health researcher, trainer, and speaker. Her research centers on modifiable factors related to behavioral health service utilization, including the ways in which social determinants of health impact mental health and substance use treatment services. She is a co-author of the textbook Helping Skills: Basic Techniques for the Active and Engaged Helper. Dr. Tambling is a frequent speaker on topics related to mental health, including health literacy, help-seeking, stigma, and behavioral health education.
Carissa D’Aniello-Heyda, Ph.D., LMFT is an associate professor of marriage and family therapy, and department chair of the Department of Family Therapy and Social Work at Fairfield University. She is an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Clinical Fellow and approved supervisor. Dr. D'Aniello researches behavioral health service utilization for couples and families specifically, treatment persistence. She has authored several publications in the American Journal of Family Therapy, Contemporary Family Therapy, The Family Journal, and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. She co-authored the textbook, Helping Skills: Basic Techniques for the Active and Engaged Helper with Dr. Tambling.
On-Demand Webinar Recording
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Classroom Use
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