How can we help our clients make positive changes in their behavior -- without nagging, shaming, persuading, or arguing? Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based counseling approach that can help individuals change behaviors they might feel ambivalent about, such as exercising, changing their diet, quitting alcohol/drugs, adopting safer sex practices, taking important medications, or starting psychotherapy. In this 6-hour training, participants will learn the fundamentals of motivational interviewing, including the MI spirit, the four processes of MI, use of the core techniques (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, summaries), the strategic use of different types of reflective listening, how to evoke and strengthen motivation for change, and how to roll with difficulty and discord within the helping relationship. We will focus on topics that may impact Veterans we serve, including: motivation to seek help for mental health, addressing PTSD, addressing substance use concerns, management of chronic pain and health conditions. Training participants will have the opportunity to learn in a variety of ways including lecture, demonstrations, discussions, and experiential learning activities designed to give them a richer understanding of the use of motivational interviewing in therapeutic and healthcare settings.
Intro to Motivational Interviewing
Training Description
Category
Length of Training
6 Hours
Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
6
Objectives of Training
Define motivational interviewing.
Define change talk and sustain talk.
Explain the fundamental spirit and guiding principles of MI.
List two ways to evoke change talk.
Demonstrate use of MI-consistent reflective listening.
Assess how, where, and when MI may be beneficial in the participant’s clinical/work setting.
Training Platform