It’s rare that a class can unequivocally improve your skills not just in work but in life. But as Dr. Danalyn Harper Rayner said, the benefits of Motivational Interviewing are undeniable, with training likely to noticeably improve your life by deepening your connections, building empathy skills and bolstering your ability to motivate and inspire positive change in others.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative method of communication that focuses on motivating individuals through goals and exploring their own reasons for change rather than imposing external ones. The method involves actively listening and using open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries (OARS) to engage clients and pull out their own arguments for change.
Evidence strongly supports MI’s ability to drive change, with thousands of publications citing the successful use of its techniques for a wide range of behavior changes. Notably, any training is likely to improve the skills of those who take it — but with increased training through beginner, moderate and advanced coursework, you can learn new strategies and hone your MI expertise. The change effects are rapid and durable, and it has been tested with diverse populations with favorable outcomes.
The use cases for MI span almost all professions that involve working with and inspiring people, including counseling, medicine, management, education and many more.
Connecting in new ways
The University of Wisconsin–Madison offers a variety of MI courses through its Division of Continuing Studies Behavioral Health Program for beginners and experienced MI practitioners alike. We spoke with two professionals who have completed MI courses with Continuing Studies to learn how it has impacted their work and life.
Dr. Danalyn Harper Rayner, an urgent care physician, “wished she had done this MI course 20 years earlier.” She reflected on how many of her previous instructions to patients on changing their harmful behaviors were ineffective. Training in MI has helped her use reflections to understand her patients’ motivations and challenges in order to work collaboratively with them on improving their health. She also emphasized how significant the training has been in helping her connect with those from different racial backgrounds, allowing her to build connections with people from all walks of life in the short time allotted by urgent care.
Harper Rayner also noted the immense effects of MI outside of her work, saying it has helped her better talk through issues with her family, build deeper relationships with friends and coach the medical students she mentors.
For John Schneider, LCSW, a counselor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, MI has been incredibly impactful in his work with students. The technique provides him with a framework to “communicate with clients in ways that promote understanding and encouragement. It helps them recognize their strengths, empowering them to take their next step toward personal growth.”
He shared that the most fulfilling part of MI in his work is “observing the moment when students wake up to their choice,” watching their changes in body language as they lean forward, sit on the edge of their seat and speak more animatedly — signaling they have shifted from feeling stuck to energized.
Helping people come to their own conclusions is more effective than giving advice, Schneider said, helping his clients “imagine change in ways that feel inspiring and exciting, rather than daunting and overwhelming.”
Hands-on training at UW–Madison
Motivational Interviewing courses at UW–Madison are taught by members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), professional experts in the field who are committed to the integrity and effectiveness of the MI approach.
The programs emphasize experiential learning, allowing participants to actively practice skills through role-playing, feedback and real-world scenarios. This hands-on approach builds competence and confidence in applying MI across various contexts, whether in healthcare, counseling, education or management.
Motivational Interviewing is more than just a technique; it’s a pathway to more meaningful personal and professional connections. Whether you’re just beginning to explore MI or looking to refine your technique, there’s an option for you!
If you’re interested in learning more, head to our Motivational Interviewing page or contact Ashley Kuehl at ashley.kuehl@wisc.edu or 608-265-4267.