Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence‑based, person-centred approach that offers a particular way of understanding our role and engaging with clients in meaningful conversations about change and growth. Drawing on the newest edition of Motivational Interviewing (4th ed., 2023) by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, this series will introduce key concepts, core skills, and relevant updates in MI practice.

Participants will have opportunities to ask questions, practice skills, engage in self-reflection, and work in small groups. Suggested skills to practice between sessions will also be provided.

This introductory series is organized around the four tasks of MI: Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning.

After Session 1, participants will be able to:

• Define motivational interviewing and identify its key components
• Describe the task of Engaging and the associated communication skills
• Apply foundational MI skills through practice in pairs and small groups

After Session 2, participants will be able to:

• Describe the task of Focusing and the skills and tools that support it
• Discuss ways to establish shared goals with clients in different contexts
• Explain the guiding style of communication and its role in therapeutic rapport
• Apply communication skills from Session 1 to the task of prioritizing client goals

After Session 3, participants will be able to:

• Describe the task of Evoking and the associated skills and tools
• Identify and differentiate change talk and sustain talk
• Respond to change talk and strengthen client motivation using at least four new skills
• Deepen MI communication skills through paired and small-group practice

After Session 4, participants will be able to:

• Describe the task of Planning and the skills and tools that support it
• Recognize signs of client readiness for change
• Integrate skills from Engaging, Focusing, and Evoking to support client-centred planning
• Practice strategies that strengthen a client’s commitment to making a change

No previous experience with MI is required. Participants are expected to be on camera and able to actively engage in discussion, breakout rooms, and skills practice. Please plan accordingly so you can participate fully.

Living Healthy Champlain offers workshops for health care professionals that will help them to support their patients in making behaviour changes based on their own motivations, and empower them to self-manage.