The Effectiveness of Motivational Approaches with Domestic Violence and Justice-Involved Individuals
Please note: This webinar is not eligible for continuing education (CE) credit due to its informal, conversational format. Participants who attend the full live session will, however, receive a Certificate of Attendance.
This webinar is particularly relevant for researchers, clinicians, supervision officers, and administrators seeking to enhance services for individuals convicted of crimes, including domestic violence.
Teresa Pinto e Silva is a forensic psychologist and PhD researcher at the Psychology Research Centre at the University of Minho, Portugal. With professional experience working with justice-involved individuals, she focuses her research on rehabilitation and the integration of Motivational Interviewing (MI) within justice settings.
Her 2021 master’s thesis evaluated the effectiveness of a brief motivational program for domestic violence perpetrators. In a 2022 systematic review, Ms. Pinto e Silva found that MI is associated with increased attendance, treatment adherence, motivation for change, and improved behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. Notably, MI appeared particularly effective for individuals with low readiness to change and those in the early stages of change.
This work further informed her research trajectory, culminating in a 2025 meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of MI with justice-involved populations. She is currently conducting research on the adaptation and implementation of a motivational intervention program for justice-involved individuals in Portugal.
In this webinar, Ms. Pinto e Silva discusses:
- Key research findings on MI, with a focus on its effectiveness in justice settings
- How MI can support professionals working with domestic violence populations
- The role of therapist genuineness and the therapeutic relationship in facilitating change
Who's Presenting
Teresa Raquel Pinto e Silva
Teresa Pinto e Silva is a Forensic Psychologist and PhD researcher at the Psychology Research Centre at the University of Minho, Portugal. With professional experience working with justice-involved people, her research focuses on rehabilitation and the integration of Motivational Interviewing within justice settings. She is currently conducting research on the adaptation and implementation of a motivational intervention program for justice-involved individuals in Portugal.