Motivational Interviewing Foundations Workshop or Webinar:
Flexible Training Options:
- Webinar: 17.5 hours of training spread over 5 weeks, followed by 2 x 30-minute practice and feedback sessions.
- Workshop: 2 full days (16 hours) of training, followed by 2 x 30-minute practice and feedback sessions.
Workshop/webinar is followed by two 30-minute practice and feedback sessions with expert trainers
A wide range of professionals and peer helpers seeking to enhance their motivational interviewing skills.
What You’ll Learn
The Foundations skills training focuses on building an understanding of the spirit of MI and developing core skills, including using OARS (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries), responding to the way people talk about change, helping people to make Brief Action Plans, and understanding ‘resistance.’
About the Course
- Interactive Training: Participate in either a live webinar series or an in-person workshop.
- Practice and Feedback: Engage in 2 x 30-minute sessions with expert trainers to refine your skills.
- Ongoing Support: Receive weekly emails for 12 weeks post-course with practical resources, examples, and skill prompts.
- Progress updates: Sponsors receive regular participant progress reports.
- Capacity: This course can accommodate up to 12 learners per group.
What learners are saying
Practical and relevant workshop
The workshop was informative, supportive, helpful, and I will take these skills into my workplace to enhance client-centred care.
Simply the best
The class was awesome and material presentation was amazing! Best training I have taken in 8 years!
Useful and engaging Motivational Interviewing training
I found the presenter (Lori) to be very engaging, and I appreciated how interactive the session was. I have already used some of the tools taught both at work and at home, and I feel this is one of the best and useful courses I have taken in a long time.
Practice and feedback on MI skills
I liked the interaction in practicing the different concepts and techniques. Being able to practice with different people who were also taking the course as well as to receive feedback from the instructor was great.
Well-structured MI training
Good overview of spirit of MI and introduction to skills (OARS, bringing focus to sessions, complex reflections, action planning, etc). I particularly enjoyed the interactive elements to the training as it provided an opportunity to practice the skills
Wonderful instructor
The presenter, Brittany, was dynamic, really knew her stuff and was so engaging.
The content was presented via a variety of teaching mechanisms to facilitate all styles of learning, and included so much interaction, which I felt was very effective.
What I appreciated most was the “work-shopping’ of our responses to various challenging client interactions.
Great way to learn MI
The variety of methods used for information transfer. It was very engaging. Practicing using personal goals was helpful. It was a safe space; I wasn’t afraid to try to use the techniques, even in the larger group. The instructor was able to reframe any mistakes as great attempts and provided support and feedback so that everyone could learn
Interactivity makes a difference
I really enjoyed how interactive the program was and how the MI instructors listened to our recommendations with what works best for us. This really made a difference in how we understood the material.
Good balance between MI theory and practice
This program was super! Very well balanced between theoretical knowledge and opportunity to practice. The course wouldn’t have been the same without Cathy — her knowledge, insight and courageous vulnerability was such an asset, and so helpful in understanding the client perspective. She’s an absolute inspiration. She offered such an important reminder that change and growth is possible for folks, even when they struggle to see it themselves in a given moment. Grateful for her presence, and of course, Sebastien’s skill and expertise in MI.
MI workshop and support after workshop
The workbook and slides worked in tandem with the instruction. Made it easy to follow along plus we have a post-workshop study guide. The instructor was very personable.
Course details
- Define motivational interviewing (MI).
- Describe the spirit of MI and ways to express it.
- Recognize the difference between three styles of helping interactions.
- Contrast MI consistent and inconsistent practices.
- Discuss listening with an uncluttered mind.
- Describe and demonstrate the core skills for MI (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries).
- Identify ways to provide information and advice consistent with the spirit of MI.
- Demonstrate ask-offer-ask.
- Recognize change talk and contrast with sustain talk.
- Strategically respond to sustain and change talk.
- Respond to change talk using the core skills for MI.
- Describe the four processes of MI.
- Demonstrate focusing.
- Demonstrate Brief Action Planning.
- Identify contributors to "resistance” and demonstrate MI consistent responses to “resistant patients or complex situations.
- Consider ways to apply skills to practice.
This is an interactive skills-based training that is designed for participants who want to consider practical applications for their work. CCMI uses learner-centred, performance-based approaches to adult education. The MI Foundations training includes:
- Learning activities that evoke understanding and build skills.
- Practice activities that increases practical understanding and allow trainers to provide constructive feedback.
- Facilitated discussions about how new skills and knowledge can be applied in learners' interactions.
An important part of the online course is the motivational interviewing practice and feedback practice 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. 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Role play: The CCMI trainer will play a patient or client and the learner will have an opportunity to practice your skills and then receive feedback.
- The learner’s idea: The Learner may have an additional way that they would like to spend their time working with a knowledgeable instructor.
Learners who complete the course and would like additional practice and feedback time, are encouraged to attend drop-in group practice and feedback sessions. Up to 4 people can book a spot in a 1-hour group session.
See our CCMI Services page for an overview of all of our offerings and details like workshop prerequisites, duration, and capacity.