Episode 86 – Becoming a MINTie

Glenn and Sebastian welcomed Dr Colin O’Driscoll and several other guests to discuss how to become a MINTie, a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). Colin is a Chartered Psychologist (PSI, BPS, HCPC) and accredited Psychotherapist (IACP). He’s a Fellow of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). He is currently the MINT Training for New Trainers (TNT) Coordinator and clinical lead for Ireland’s Mid-West Addiction Services. Colin has a passion for evidence-based practice, coordinated care processes and multidisciplinary treatment procedures. 

Additional Guests:

Kenzie Leffingwell, Director of Training & Development at First Choice Services is passionate about suicide prevention, a mission that comes from her own lived experience as a suicide survivor after losing her father to suicide. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marshall University and a master’s in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma from Liberty University. Kenzie started her career at First Choice Services as a crisis counselor and, for the past year and a half, has served as the Director of Training and Development. In this role, she develops and tailors new hire trainings to meet the needs of her team, helping them feel confident and prepared to support the specific needs of those who use FCS services. As a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), Kenzie loves empowering others to have compassionate, effective conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.

Outside of work, Kenzie’s life is full. She’s a mom to three boys and three cats, and you can often find her cheering at the baseball field, kayaking, reading, or diving into a good game of Dungeons and Dragons.

Mark Bowley is a Western Australian based on Noongar Boodja country with a diverse background in pastoral care, youth justice, and workforce development. Beginning his career in retail, he later pursued studies in Christian Ministry and Counselling, leading him to chaplaincy in public high schools. There, he developed a passion for strengths-based and person-centred approaches, including Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Mark spent over a decade in WA’s Juvenile Justice system, progressing from Youth Custodial Officer to Training Officer and team leader at the Department of Justice Academy. He has facilitated suicide prevention and mental health first aid training for more than 12 years.

Now an AOD Workforce Development Officer with the WA Mental Health Commission, Mark delivers training in MI, Trauma-Informed Care, youth AOD interventions, and harm reduction. As a MINT member, he remains committed to growing as an MI practitioner and ensuring high-quality training for professionals across Western Australia.

Mark Powell, a registered psychiatric nurse and AOD clinician with 30+ years of experience, Mark leads WRAD Health an organisation, integrating specialist AOD care with medical and allied health services. Mark is passionate about motivational interviewing, as a core skill throughout his career fostering evidence-based, client-centered change. He champions family inclusion, dual diagnosis treatment, and facilitates Family SMART Recovery groups.

Ashley White, CMHC is a therapist and MI trainer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She works at PARCKA (Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy), facilitating behavioral health research interventions and training for multidisciplinary practitioners, including healthcare professionals, in evidence-based approaches to behavior change. In her private practice, she integrates nature-based therapy and contemplative practices to support clients in deepening self-awareness and resilience. Passionate about social justice, she is dedicated to serving vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by addiction. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids and exploring the outdoors.

JOHN SEIVERT

Episode index:

   0:00 – Information about the “Podcastathon” and how to donate to the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers Public Service Fund

  01:25 – Episode preview

  08:37 – Colin’s introduction and early MI story

  13:00 – Colin becoming the Training for New Trainers (TNT) director 

  16:00 – How to become a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)

  21:05 – The importance of practice in learning MI

  24:00 – What happens in a TNT

  28:05 – Colin’s reflections on the recordings of recent TNT graduates

TNT graduate recordings:

  33:48 – Kenzie Leffingwell

  41:03 – Mark Bowley

  48:53 – Mark Powell

1:12:00 – Ashley White

1:20:00 – John Sievert

1:26:10 – Reflections on recordings

1:07:26 – End of episode

Links and contact information:

To contribute/donate to the MINT Public Service Fund as part of the global 2025 Podcastathon

For suggestions, questions and to enquire about training in Motivational Interviewing contact Glenn & Sebastian

Email: [email protected]

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