All EckMaahs & Associates professionals are renowned experts in their fields and bring years of experience providing highly interactive, skill development-focused training, and personalized EBP coaching to our clients.

Our Leadership

Sue EckMaahs, President

Sue is an active member of the international MINT forum (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) and is highly sought as a trainer, skill coach/mentor, and trainer of trainers, as well as an advisor for MI and EBP implementation and quality assurance planning. She has been practicing MI since 1993 and has worked for over 20 years in the technologies of human potential and change.

With a background in sociology, she began her career in corrections; a history that has provided rich experience for applying and coaching “change-agentry” and evidence based practices across many client populations. At present, she works extensively with professionals from the fields of public health, mental and chemical health, vocational and educational services, primary care, education, and criminal justice.

Our Trainers and Associates

When working with EMA, your training team will be selected specifically in accordance with your individual and/or agency needs. EMA contracts with dynamic and accomplished trainers and consultants who are highly respected in their fields of expertise.

Carol Johnstone, M.A.

Carol Johnstone is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and holds a Master of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication. She is the founder of Johnstone Consulting and has been a professional trainer for 20 years. She has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Lewis University, Elmhurst College, Harold Washington College and Morton College in the greater Chicago area.

Carol has provided Motivational Interviewing training in the fields of health care, business, social services and education. She is experienced in coding MI conversations and providing telephonic feedback and coaching using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity tool (MITI). She is currently providing MI training, consulting and coaching throughout North America and Puerto Rico.

Carol’s sensitivity to different learning styles enables her to take proven concepts and adjust them to the needs of her audience in a variety of disease states and applications.  She has an established track record in delivering impactful and cost-effective training, personalized to the goals and objectives of the Sponsor and trainees.

Jane M. Nakken, Ed.D.

Dr. Nakken is a consultant and trainer with thirty years experience as a leader, clinician, educator, author, innovator and change agent, primarily in the field of addictions treatment. She is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, a consultant to the Tribal Youth Programs Training Center, facilitates strategic planning and culture change work in organizations, and coaches executives and leaders. As a former executive vice president of the world-renowned Hazelden Foundation, she earned an international reputation for her leadership in the addictions treatment field, particularly in the treatment of young adults and women, and for her national leadership on public policy issues. She received the Alcohol & Drug Programs Association of America (ADPA) Award for Service to Women in 2000, Hazelden’s Alumni Association 22nd Annual CARE Award in 2008, and formal recognition by two Governors for her service as Chair of the MN Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and by the MN Legislature. She serves on the Boards of Prodigal House and New Foundations, nonprofits serving addicted veterans and homeless addicted families. Dr. Nakken has 18 published books and articles, and serves on the faculties of Rutgers University’s Institute on Addiction Studies and Asia Pacific Institute on Addictions. She holds a BA degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota, her MA in Human and health Services Administration, from St. Mary’s College, and a Doctorate in Organization Change from Pepperdine University.

Susan Littrell, MSW, LICSW, LADC

Ms. Littrell has 40 years of experience providing mental health services to a wide variety of outpatient clientele and 20 years of experience working with clients with co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance disorders. She holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Iowa. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Susan is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). She received her Motivational Interviewing training as part of the Emmee Project with Dr. William Miller, Dr. Theresa Moyers, and Dr. Carolina Yahne in 2000. She received her Train the Trainer training in 2003 from Dr. Theresa Moyers and Denise Earnst. She has been utilizing Motivational Interviewing with individuals and in groups since 1999. In 2007, Sue EckMaahs and Jacque Elder, PsyD trained Susan in the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity (MITI) Coding System.