Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, person-centered approach that involves a particular way of understanding our role and how we can engage with clients in meaningful ways about change and growth. Using the newest edition (4^th ed., 2023) of Motivational Interviewing by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, key concepts, skills, and other relevant information will be presented. There will be opportunities to ask questions, practice skills, engage in self-reflection and small group discussions, with suggested skills to practice in between each session. The content of the sessions in the series are grouped using the four tasks of MI- engaging, focusing, evoking and planning.

To participate in these sessions, no previous experience in Motivational Interviewing is needed. Please note that participants are expected to be on camera during sessions, and be able to actively engage in discussion, breakout rooms, and skills practice. Please plan accordingly, so that you can be an active participant.

After the first session, participants will be able to:

Define motivational interviewing and identify the key components of this approach; Describe the task of Engaging, and the associated communication skills; Apply skills learned in session through practice in pairs and small groups.

After the second session, participants will be able to:

Describe the task of Focusing, and the associated skills and tools; Discuss the ways to focus on shared goals with a client in different situations; Verbalize understanding of guiding style of communication and ways to develop therapeutic rapport; Apply communication skills learned in previous session to the task of focusing or prioritizing client goals.

After the third session, participants will be able to:

Describe the task of Evoking, and the associated skills and tools; Identify the language of change talk and sustain talk; Respond to language of change talk and strengthen a client’s motivation for change using at least 4 new skills; Deepen communication skills through practice of evoking in pairs and small groups.

After the fourth session, participants will be able to:

Describe the task of Planning, and the associated skills and tools; Summarize signs of client readiness for making change; Incorporate skills from Engaging, Focusing and Evoking to support client-centered planning; Practice skills to strengthen a client’s commitment to make a change.