why take a motivational interviewing course?

by Eryn Windler 7 min read

Our training in motivational interviewing is about helping people resolve their ambivalence that supports their own personal values and concerns. Motivational interviewing encourages and empowers clients for change rather than against change.

Motivational Interviewing: Foundational
Among the many learning outcomes, you'll be able to help clients identify their motivation for change; become more aware of client change and counter-change talk; and use questions, reflections, and summarizing to encourage change.
Aug 27, 2021

Full Answer

What can you expect from a motivational interviewing training program?

With a high-quality training program, you can expect to learn the core elements of motivational interviewing, as well as the skills and processes used to implement motivational interviewing when interacting with clients.

What is the importance of Motivational Interviewing in medical practice?

Motivational factors in health-relevant modes of behavior are an important matter in medical practice. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a technique that has been specifically developed to help motivate ambivalent patients to change their behavior. Methods

Which motivational interviewing courses are available in the UK?

The APT is a top provider of accredited motivational interviewing training courses in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and offers online self-paced, virtual, and on-site training options for individuals and teams. This is a three-day foundational course covering fundamental MI skills.

What is motivational interviewing in social work?

Motivational Interviewing in Social Work This template presents five questions based on Prochaska and DiClemente’s (1986) Stages of Change model to help practitioners assess clients’ readiness for change.

Why is motivational interviewing so important?

Why Motivational Interviewing Works. MI is effective because it allows a client to identify what thoughts and feelings cause unhealthy or unwanted behaviors. At the same time, it helps the client build new thought patterns that make changing behaviors easier or even possible.

What do you learn from motivational interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing goes well with the “stages of change” model. The purpose is to strengthen the intrinsic motivation to change. If the client is not motivated to change, behavior change will be more difficult.

What are the four 4 principles of motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is a counselling method that involves enhancing a patient's motivation to change by means of four guiding principles, represented by the acronym RULE: Resist the righting reflex; Understand the patient's own motivations; Listen with empathy; and Empower the patient.

What are the 5 principles of motivational interviewing?

5 main motivational interviewing styles are the following: expressing empathy, avoiding argumentation, rolling with resistance, developing discrepancy, and sup- porting self-efficacy.

Training in Motivational Interviewing: A Guide

Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based treatment that can help people resolve ambivalence about change. Specifically, it is a “collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change” (Miller & Rollnick, 2009; p. 137).

5 Motivational Interviewing Courses to Consider

Finding the right MI training route for you will depend on your goals and level of experience.

4 Best Certification Options

If you’re looking for a certificate-based option, here are four standout courses that each offer a slightly different focus and structure.

Online MI Training: 5 Courses

Many of the courses in MI already covered can be completed online or virtually, but here are a few more of our top picks that can be accessed anywhere and offer great value for money.

PositivePsychology.com Resources

If you’re interested in getting a sense of what motivational interviewing looks like, you may find this comprehensive exercise in Motivational Interviewing Techniques a good place to start. It is an exercise from our Positive Psychology Toolkit©, which is an online repository for mental healthcare exercises, interventions, and assessments.

A Take-Home Message

We know other people cannot change us, so why would we assume we can convince other people to change?

What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach designed to help people find the motivation to make a positive behavior change. This client-centered approach is particularly effective for people who have mixed feelings about changing their behavior.

What is the concept of a counselor drawing out a client's ideas rather than imposing their own opinions?

The notion of the counselor drawing out a client's ideas rather than imposing their own opinions is based on the belief that motivation to change comes from within. As such, it cannot come from the counselor.

What is collaboration instead of confrontation?

Collaboration Instead of Confrontation. Collaboration is a partnership formed between the counselor and the client. In motivational interviewing, this relationship is based on the point of view and experiences of the client.

Does motivational interviewing help with addiction?

5. Research also reveals that motivational interviewing can aid in addiction treatment.

Does motivational interviewing reduce binge drinking?

Yet another review indicates that motivational interviewing can effectively reduce binge drinking as well as the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed. 7. Motivational interviewing can effectively treat a variety of conditions.

What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is a skilled technique. It has specific key qualities, such as a guided communication style, which is used while following (effectively listening) and directing (providing advice and information). It helps to empower people by eliciting their narratives of meaning, pertinence, and capacity to change.

Why is MI important?

MI is beneficial not only for the recipient, but also for the professional providing the technique. When health professionals communicated with patients using MI, they had increased confidence when teaching and educating patients.

Does MI improve engagement?

Although MI improves engagement, initial engagement from the client is necessary to make it work. If the client does not engage or isn’t aware of their problem, then it won’t be easy to move forward with this approach. There may be obstacles that are hindering their engagement and awareness.

Is motivational interviewing effective in the military?

Alcohol abuse in the military. Motivational interviewing has also proven effective in reducing alcohol abuse within the military, especially if the drinking is classified as hazardous. Brown (2010) investigated the effectiveness of individual and group MI and used a randomized control trial to probe this issue.

What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a set of principles and skills that take time, practice and discipline to learn. Elements of MI can make a difference in practice quite quickly, while gaining competence in the approach requires the clinician to be highly self-reflective on their intention, use of skills and attention to the client.

What is the goal of learning MI?

Possible learning goals may be to: Develop the spirit of MI: Actively promote partnership, acceptance, compassion and evocation.

What is individual coaching?

Individual coaching: Coaching builds upon practitioners’ specific strengths and areas of need with a supervisor or external consultant. Coaching includes direct observation of practice, review of competence and feedback, skill building and practice, case discussion and developing a plan for ongoing learning.

Why is it important to seek performance based feedback?

It is important that feedback: Views areas for improvement as opportunities for continued learning and professional growth rather than mistakes.

What is practice skills in conversation?

Practice skills in conversation – when practicing with a partner, it is suggested that practitioners use “real plays” (a small but real change topic) rather than “role plays” (pretending to be a client) for more authentic practice and meaningful feedback.

How long is an introduction workshop?

Introduction workshops are usually the equivalent of around sixteen hours. Advanced practice workshops can help support ongoing skill development or focus on specific applications of MI. As MI takes practice, workshops are considered a beginning of the learning process, and by themselves are not enough to gain competence in MI.

What is Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers?

As founders of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), Miller and Rollnick not only run this non-profit membership organization that trains and certifies professionals in motivational interviewing training, but they also offer instruction themselves through Psychwire .

Who created motivational interviewing?

When it comes to learning the ins and outs of motivational interviewing, the best place to look for training options is with the creators of the motivational interviewing concept, Bill Miller and Steve Rollnick.

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Summary

  • Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a set of principles and skills that take time, practice and discipline to learn. Elements of MI can make a difference in practice quite quickly, while gaining competence in the approach requires the clinician to be highly self-reflective on their intention, use of skills and attention to the client. Beginner level ...
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Methods of Learning MI

  • There are many ways to approach learning MI. For example: 1. Self-study:There are many resources available for learning MI, such as textbooks on a range of MI applications, skill workbooks with practical exercises, training DVDs and online resources. As MI is a complex skill, self-study is best used as a complement to other forms of learning. 2. Practice check:Practitione…
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Process of Learning MI

  • Gaining competence in MI starts with practitioner willingness to try new ways of working, thinking, and behaving. This may in itself require a shift in thinking as many practitioners come to MI hoping to see change in their clients rather than themselves. Like learning any other complex skill, such as a sport or musical instrument, it is not enough to learn about MI. It helps to have a plan f…
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Further Questions

  1. Why would learning MI be helpful for you?
  2. What learning formats are available to you and suit your learning style?
  3. What will help support your ongoing learning and practice?
  4. Where would you like to start?
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References and Resources

  1. Miller, W. R., Moyers, T. B., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change[DVD]. Carson City, NV: The Change Companies.
  2. Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change(3rd edition). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
  3. Miller, W. R., & Rose, G. S. (2009). Toward a theory of motivational interviewing. American Ps…
  1. Miller, W. R., Moyers, T. B., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change[DVD]. Carson City, NV: The Change Companies.
  2. Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change(3rd edition). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
  3. Miller, W. R., & Rose, G. S. (2009). Toward a theory of motivational interviewing. American Psychologist, 64(6), 527-537.