Engaging Clients as Partners in Change Using Motivational Interviewing: Introduction to MI and Skill Building

Description

Examine the theory behind this highly-effective, client-centered approach to help individuals prepare and commit to the creation of positive change in their lives. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based therapeutic technique designed to help people identify their readiness, willingness, and ability to initiate and follow through with making meaningful change. We will talk about techniques designed to identify and illuminate people's innermost motivational factors, to help them become empowered to meet their own goals, rather than trying to externally mandate change. This introduction will involve a number of exercises to help distinguish the practice of Motivational Interviewing from other types of therapy or psychoeducation. Motivational interviewing can be added into other models to reduce attrition and increase the likelihood of participants' success. During this training, we will learn specific applications of MI, have direct practice in and experience in communicating the spirit of MI and move into learning the basic clinical style of MI. Participants will strengthen and practice empathic counseling skills, understand and practice the directive aspects of MI, experience and learn the fundamental client language cues (change talk and sustain talk) that allow continued feedback and learning in practice.

UNC Chapel Hill Dept. of SW / AHEC - Office of Sherry Mergner - This presenter is being supported through a partnership between UNC-CH, School of Social Work and the NC AHEC Program.

Target Audience

Your target audience will consist of mental health professionals including Substance Abuse Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, School Counselors and other professionals interested in this subject.

Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, the participant should be able to:

• Explain the difference between persuading and using Motivational Interviewing
• Describe benefits to evoking motivations rather than sharing information about risks and benefits
• Examine what makes it difficult to not try and problem solve before exploring motivations
• Demonstrate the ability to ask open ended questions, reflect, and affirm clients
• Outline ways to reduce the risk of stereotypes and unconscious bias influencing your case planning by adopting the evocative spirit of Motivational Interviewing
• Discuss next steps to support implementing Motivational Interviewing

Faculty

• Rachel A. Galanter, MPH