Provide support through conversations about change that focus on a person’s priorities, values and interests.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a strengths-based approach to conversations that helps draw out people’s own motivation and commitment to change in an atmosphere of compassion, acceptance, and partnership. The approach involves guiding and supporting a person through the process of sorting through mixed feelings about change.
MI is informed by continuously evolving evidence about the attitude, skills and strategies that are shown to assist clinicians who work with ambivalent clients in complex and difficult situations. It can be learned by anyone who is interested in supporting others to make healthy behaviour change, and it can be blended with other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy or dialectical behavioural therapy.
Services
Practice & Feedback
Practice & Feedback calls increase trainees’ confidence and proficiency in MI skills. These one hour video sessions provide opportunities for participants to practice skills in groups of up to four with an MI trainer. Activities may include clarification of a topic, discussion of case studies, role play, real play, or something else that the learner suggests. This handout gives more information about what to expect from video practice and feedback sessions.
These calls are an integral part of skill development, and we encourage learners to attend a session if further skill development is wanted.
Resources
Dr. Gutnick shares a personal story about using motivational interviews to work with a patient in her practice.
Learning Motivational Interviewing is like learning how to swim: time is spent out of the pool learning the what, why, and how but the most valuable time is spent practicing and receiving feedback on practice. As with any new skill, you build on what you already know. Many clinicians begin with basic skills that involve active listening and appreciating the expertise people have about their own lives. Most people practice with other staff and try out skills with patients as opportunities arise. Workbooks, exercises, coaching and practice over time all improve MI skills.
Motivational Interviewing: A Conversation Style to Improve Engagement
Patients as Partners Knowledge-Building Webinar presented by CCMI
Presented on: Thursday February 12th, 2015
Motivational interviewing is a person-centred conversation style that helps to engage the person and increase their own motivation. One of the key strengths of motivational interviewing is the emphasis on the person’s priorities, values and interests.
The principles of motivational interviewing have been successfully applied for about 30 years in a variety of fields that require behavior or lifestyle changes. These principles are especially important as part of a self-management system for people with chronic conditions.
For more information please watch this webinar presented by Connie Davis, co-director of CCMI. The webinar covers the following topics:
- Motivational interviewing as an approach to improve engagement and increase motivation
- The underlying “Spirit” of Motivational Interviewing
- The four processes of motivational interviewing – engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning