Motivational Interviewing: Courses

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a self-management support approach that uses a collaborative conversation style with patients, clients, or peers, in order to draw out and strengthen their motivation and commitment to change. Whether you are a home care nurse trying to help someone who is struggling with multiple chronic conditions or a case worker helping someone to meet their daily needs on a limited income, the core skills can be learned by anyone interested in supporting others to make change. MI is particularly useful for those who have the opportunity to engage with patients or clients who are facing complex situations, ambivalence, or multiple concerns. The foundational MI workshop focuses on recognizing change talk, understanding ‘resistance,’ and responding with open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries to help people situate themselves for meaningful behavioral changes.

This webinar series will go beyond foundational skills, delving deeper into the Spirit of MI, the four processes of MI and working with people who may not seem ready or interested in making changes. Following the series, participants will receive a series of weekly emails with resources and examples, prompting them to practice a specific skill in their work that week and then check in with a study partner or team. Prerequisites: Foundations of Motivational Interviewing & Brief Action Planning

Brief Action Planning is a highly structured, stepped-care, self-management support technique grounded in the principles and practice of Motivational Interviewing and behavior change theory and research (Gutnick et al 2014).

As a part of your training, you are invited to attend individual (30 min) or group (1 hr) Motivational Interviewing (MI) practice and feedback via zoom to practice applying the knowledge and skills you have learned.

Every week for the 12 weeks you will receive an email reminder of a MI skill with a reference to the appropriate worksheet from the MI Foundations Workshop. During that week, Practice that skill, Huddle with your study partners or your team (likely by telephone) and Discuss what you’ve learned. The program also includes access to three practice and feedback sessions and two skills demonstrations (recording). Requires 2-3 hours per week. Prerequisites: Foundations of Motivational Interviewing & Brief Action Planning