If you want an interactive course that focuses on practical application, this course is for you. CCMI uses learner-centred, performance-based approaches to adult education, turning knowledge into action by helping you master new skills and consider how you will apply them directly to your professional or personal world. The MI foundations training includes:

• Learning content to build an understanding of new concepts and skills.
• Practice activities to increase practical understanding and assess learning, including one practice and feedback session with an experienced MI trainer.
• Reflection activities that explore how to apply new knowledge and skills in your unique setting.

CCMI’s Motivational Interviewing training content has been updated to incorporate the most recent changes to William Miller and Stephen Rollnick’s Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow.

An important part of the online course is the motivational interviewing practice and feedback sessions. These sessions give learners an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that they are learning. MI foundations practice and feedback sessions are one-on-one conference sessions with an instructor. They are 30 minutes in length and focus on communication skills (OARS and ask-offer-ask), strategies, and application to practice. Learners schedule their own sessions, based on a selection of available times. All of the information to schedule these sessions is contained within the course. We use the Zoom platform for practice and feedback for several reasons. Zoom with video allows us to see each other’s body language, which can be important in interpreting what people are saying. Many professionals interact with the people they serve on the phone or via video, so this also provides an opportunity to be comfortable with virtual interactions. During practice and feedback sessions, learners can decide how they want to spend their time. Here are some common options:

1. Clarification of a topic: Learn more about information covered in the online course. Learners will receive a short description or demonstration, have an opportunity to briefly discuss the topic, practice and get feedback on skills as needed.
2. Case study: Learners can bring a situation with a patient or client that they would like to discuss. This would be a situation where someone might be “stuck” or would benefit from a new perspective and how to apply what they are learning in the online course. The learner and instructor will discuss the situation and the principles, skills, and strategies that might apply. Then they can role play the situation and get feedback on skills as needed.
3. Role play: The CCMI trainer will play a patient or client and the learner will have an opportunity to practice skills and receive feedback.
4. The learner’s idea: The learner may have an additional way that they would like to spend their time working with a knowledgeable instructor.

The course takes approximately 6-8 hours, and a certificate is provided upon completion.

Regardless of whether you complete your training virtually or in person, the practice and feedback sessions will be be conducted via zoom. This means that you will need the following:

• Access to a computer, laptop, or tablet with the capability to watch and listen to videos and audio recordings.
• Internet connection
• Microphone and camera.
• Up to date browser including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge.