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Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

An Introduction for Human Services Professionals

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Self-Paced, Online
Fee: $0 (Members); $70 (Nonmembers)
Continuing Education Hours: 4.75
Note: Active participation is required in this course. See 'Please note' for more information.
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Course Description

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a well-established, evidence-based practice for having useful change conversations across human service settings, populations, and clinical challenges. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to foundations of the practice based on the most recent edition of the classic Miller and Rollnick (2023) book: processes (engaging, focusing, evoking, planning), components (relational, technical), ways of being (partnership, acceptance, compassion, empowerment), OARS+I core skills (Open questions, Affirmation, Reflection, Summarizing, plus Informing), and use of innovative tools will be covered. Developed for human services professionals, this course engages learners through interactive modules, video demonstrations, and periodic knowledge checks; practice activities are presented in a supplemental electronic participant guidebook. Whether you are new to MI, seeking a refresher, or preparing for an agency MI roll out, this course provides on-demand, self-paced learning to enhance professional development. Individuals who successfully complete the course, including passing all module quizzes, will receive 4.75 hours of continuing education.

Please note: This course is designed for serious learners who are ready to go deep with Motivational Interviewing. Active participation is essential for learning success because the course includes knowledge checks, quizzes, and practice activities with an interactive guidebook. If you are unwilling or unable at this time to actively participate, this course may not be a good fit for your professional development.

Learning Objectives: 
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe foundations of MI in terms of processes, components, ways of being, and core skills.
  • Describe how key concepts, core skills, and tools are used within each MI process.
  • Understand the rationale for using MI and its anticipated benefits to clients.
  • Identify listening roadblocks and develop skillful reflective listening.
  • Apply core skills of Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summarizing, and Informing using Ask-Offer-Ask.
  • Differentiate between client change talk and client sustain talk.
  • Identify strategies for cultivating client change talk and softening client sustain talk.
  • Describe MI fidelity and why it matters.
  • Describe how MI works.
  • Identify best practices and supports for implementing MI into routine services at individual, team, and organizational levels.

Course Outline:

Module 1: Overview of Motivational Interviewing (MI) (19:16)

  • Chapter 1: The Evolution and Practice of Motivational Interviewing (10:25)
  • Chapter 2: Understanding MI (8:51)

Module 2: MI Engaging (49:31)

  • Chapter 1: Overview and Open Questions (4:12)
  • Chapter 2: Affirmations (5:45)
  • Chapter 3: Reflective Listening (18:41)
  • Chapter 4: Summarizing (5:26)
  • Chapter 5: Rapid Engagement and Avoiding Traps (15:27)

Module 3: MI Focusing (16:58)

  • Chapter 1: Understanding the Focusing Process (6:26)
  • Chapter 2: Setting an Agenda (10:32)

Module 4: MI Evoking (1:06:58)

  • Chapter 1: Understanding the Evoking Process (5:30)
  • Chapter 2: Recognizing Client Language (20:08)
  • Chapter 3: Cultivating Change Talk (32:35)
  • Chapter 4: Softening Sustain Talk (8:45)

Module 5: MI Planning (33:37)

  • Chapter 1: From Evoking to Planning (8:12)
  • Chapter 2: Planning in MI is Different than Planning-as-Usual (5:51)
  • Chapter 3: Planning with MI Skills (12:19)
  • Chapter 4: Evoking Hope and Confidence for Change (7:15)

Module 6: Learning and Integrating MI (33:49)

  • Chapter 1: Ineffective vs. Effective Learning Approaches (6:03)
  • Chapter 2: Fidelity and Integration Matter (11:38)
  • Chapter 3: Cycle of Learning MI (6:52)
  • Chapter 4: Three Levels of MI Implementation Supports (9:16)

Course hours: 3:40:09 + 60 quiz questions = 4.75 Continuing Education Hours

This course meets the requirements for continuing education hours under Wisconsin MPSW 19.03(1)(e) and is offered by the Behavioral Health Training Partnership at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.