Description

Motivational Interviewing (MI) I more than just a counselling technique – it is a powerful, collaborative way of helping people discover their own motivation for change. This course takes an in-depth look at the philosophy, spirit, and skills that make MI one of the most respected and evidence-based approaches for supporting personal growth and positive change.

Whether you are a counsellor, psychologist, social worker, health professional, or simply passionate about supporting others, this course will guide you through both the heart and science of MI. You will learn how to build genuine partnerships with clients, explore ambivalence with empathy, and encourage sustainable, self-directed change.

Throughout this course, you will discover what MI truly is, the role of the counsellor, and the essential principles that guide this approach. By the end, you will understand not only how MI works, but why it is so effective – and how to apply it ethically and confidently in your own practice.

This course is engaging, reflective, and deeply practical. It is designed to strengthen your counselling presence, sharpen your communication skills, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the art of guiding people through change with compassion and respect.

Here is exactly what we cover in this course:

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of Motivational Interviewing (MI), offering both theoretical understanding and practical application of this evidence-based counselling approach. Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI): Understanding what MI is and its purpose in facilitating behavior change.
• The Role of the Counsellor in MI: Exploring the counsellor’s stance, style, and responsibilities in guiding – not directing – clients.
• The Four Key Principles of MI: Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, and Evocation.
• The Stages of Change: Examining the transtheoretical model and how MI aligns with each stage.
• Relapsing in MI: Understanding relapse as part of the change process and responding compassionately.
• Change Talk vs. Sustain Talk: Identifying and distinguishing between the two, and understanding their impact on client motivation.
• Evoking Change Talk: Techniques for eliciting client statements that move toward change.
• Responding to Change Talk and Sustain Talk: Learning effective MI-consistent responses that support progress.
• Ambivalence and Resistance: Exploring these central themes in MI, and strategies for addressing them constructively.
• The Four Core Skills (OARS): Mastering Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries.
• The Four Core Processes of MI: Engaging, Focusing Evoking, and Planning.
• MI Traps: Recognizing and avoiding common pitfalls that can hinder the MI process.
• Getting into the MI Spirit: Embracing the collaborative, compassionate, and autonomy-supportive mindset of MI.
• Empathy in MI: Understanding the role of empathy as the foundation of effective MI practice.
• MI as an Evidence-Based Counselling Style: Reviewing research and effectiveness across various contexts.
• Why MI Works: Exploring the mechanisms that make MI an effective tool for behavior change.
• Limitations and Ethical Considerations: Exploring when MI may not be suitable, and how the counsellor can ensure ethical standards are maintained.