Training in Motivational Interviewing for Beginners to Experts

 Are you a health professional who would like to:

• Encourage patients to set and achieve goals for health maintenance and disease management
• Facilitate tobacco cessation
• Engage patients in active (non-pharmacological) management of chronic pain
• Address issues of problematic alcohol, opioid, and other drug use
• Improve patients' medication adherence
• Promote engagement in other evidence-based behavior changes approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Motivational Interviewing is a proven approach to help support patients who struggle with health behavior change. It is a particular form of conversation that is patient-centered.  The practitioner, clinician, or therapist is not teaching or necessarily even recommending a course of action, but rather, is attempting to elicit the thoughts and values of patients themselves.  Employing empathy in interactions can help patients discover and explore their own motivation and commitment.  The spirit of Motivational Interviewing is collaborative, non-judgmental, and honors the autonomy of the patient.  The international organization “Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers” (MINT) has an excellent introductory video that offers some insights from experienced MI trainers about the approach.

You may be familiar with the concept of “Stages of Change” developed by Prochaska and DiClemente in the late 1970s.  The five stages are: Pre-contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance.  MI considers and adjusts for each of these stages while also acknowledging that there is seldom a linear progression through the stages and that the possibility of relapse always exists.  MI teaches one how to engage as the patient’s desire for change and commitment becomes clearer or as their perceived need for change diminishes.

MI can be a powerful and effective tool in helping individuals discover their own reasons for making a change.  Although there are simple techniques that can be learned quickly, it takes time and practice to master motivational interviewing so that it can be used most effectively.  The Center for Integrated Primary Care (CIPC) offers a range of online courses and active strategies for adult learning and the development of clinical competence in Motivational Interviewing.  There are no prerequisites for our MI training, you do not need an advanced degree.  Everyone on the medical team can benefit from learning interpersonal skills that can help patients and clients feel supported.