Establishing a Foundation for Motivational Interviewing Skills

This highly interactive introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) provides the 'what' and 'why' behind this highly sought, evidence-based skill for helping people change and grow. In this short course, you will also build a solid foundation for understanding the 'how' of MI, practice the fundamentals, and create a plan to continue your MI skills development. MI is learned over time, with ongoing instruction, practice and feedback. As such, this session is strongly recommended as a precursor to the Building MI Competency Certificate and/or MI Advancing Skills course also offered by UW–Madison Division of Continuing Studies. If you already have some MI knowledge and skills, consider participating in the Building MI Competency Certificate. If you have intermediate or advanced MI skills, check out our MI Advancing Skills course. Not sure which course is right for you? Check out our MI information page.

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Differentiate between directing, following, and guiding approaches and describe why a guiding approach is most effective for those struggling with issues of personal change and growth.
• Explain the spirit of MI and the roles of change talk and intentional active listening skills as key concepts in MI conversations.
• Apply MI skills through practice and self-assessment.

Learner Level: Beginner