Adult interviewing child

Motivational interviewing: introductory module (CPD5)

Help reluctant people to make behavioural or attitudinal change

This module is part of our motivational interviewing programme.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a particular way of talking with people about change and/or personal growth with an emphasis on building motivation and commitment for the change rather than on simply finding solutions. It is an approach for working with people where change is needed or desired but the person may have become stuck.

It has its roots in the field of substance use but has now been successfully used in a multitude of settings, including probation and youth offending, mental health, GP and other healthcare settings, the reduction of HIV infection, family nurse partnerships, pain management, improvement in recovery from stroke and increasingly in childcare settings.

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based approach with over 1,200 randomised control trials and is also helpful in reducing worker stress.

Through a range of didactic teaching, live demonstrations, audio, video and coaching, you will learn how MI can be used to help increase motivation in people to encourage behavioural or attitudinal change. You will examine the principles of the approach and how to apply them, before putting what you have learnt into practice and reflecting on your findings.

Aims and learning objectives

The introductory module aims to increase participants knowledge of the spirit and principles involved in using MI. It will provide opportunities to observe and practise the approach in a protected environment. By the end of the module, you will have developed understanding and started to build skill in using MI in your work settings.

After the course you will:

  • understand the fundamental spirit and principles of the MI approach
  • be aware of the four processes/ tasks of MI (the structure of an MI conversation)
  • strengthen empathic counselling skills (OARS)
  • understand the guiding aspects of MI
  • feel confident in raising concerns and giving information, or education, in an MI style (information exchange)
  • directly experience the MI approach in a protective environment
  • be acquainted with the relevant evidence of efficacy

Who is this course for?

The introductory module is aimed at any professional working with adults, young people, children or families, where behavioural or attitudinal change is needed or desired. This module is also suitable as a refresher for people who trained in MI some time ago.

Professionals who have previously found this training helpful include psychologists, psychiatrists, GPs, social workers, dentists, speech and language therapists, midwives, nurses, health visitors, sports coaches, youth workers and teachers.

Please note: this training can also be booked as a programme comprised of two parts – this introductory module and an advanced module. Find out more about booking the complete programme.

Course details

This course is currently fully booked. New cohort dates will be advertised here in due course.

This two-day module introduces participants to the theory, spirit and principles in using motivational interviewing to help people make positive change.

The training will use a range of methods including didactic teaching, live demonstrations, audio, video and coaching to create a curiosity to learn more and develop practice.

Please note, MI does not have an evidence base for working with people with significant learning difficulties.

This module will be delivered by a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) who has worked and trained across a wide range of settings, such as substance use, mental health, probation, youth offending and childcare social work.

Motivational interviewing is an approach that first gained an evidence base for working with people with substance use problems. It has evolved as a generalisable approach for working with people where change is needed or desired but the person has perhaps become stuck or appears not to be motivated. The approach focuses on intrinsic factors for change even when extrinsic factors, such as the court, social workers or family, have brought them to the worker.

The introductory two-day course introduces participants to the theory, spirit and principles in using MI to help people make positive change. The training will use a range of methods including didactic teaching, live demonstrations, audio, video and coaching. The training will aim to create a curiosity to learn more and develop practice.

Please note: MI does not have an evidence base for working with people with significant learning difficulties.

Testimonials

“Very intensive and full of great systems and useful provocation.”
Student
“The tutor was really great. She was brilliant at eliciting interaction and participation. The level was perfect.”
Student
“I enjoyed most being given clear a concise, positive tools to engage my clients to find solutions for themselves. I have already implemented techniques and had positive results.”
Student
“I got so much out of this training. I found it more energising than having a weekend off, it was so helpful to have focused time slowing down my thinking and being immersed in this approach.”
Student
“Brilliant training, the trainer made me feel really comfortable and able to be open and honest. It was a very inclusive environment where everyone felt able to participate freely. I learnt a lot about the theory behind MI but also had the opportunity to put this into practice, which I felt was really useful. ”
Student

Course facilitators

Register your interest

Bookings are now closed. Register your interest to join our waiting list and be the first to hear when this course reopens.

This course is also available as part of a convenient, cost-saving bundle – providing you with access to both introductory and advanced courses as part of a four-day programme.

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