Description:
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based style of communication focused on helping individuals explore and resolve ambivalence by drawing out their intrinsic motivation and capacity for change. This five-week course uses a blend of self-paced components, partner work and live sessions to support learning. Participants will learn the principles, processes and strategies of MI and how to utilize these in order to help individuals move toward change.
This training, led by Angela Cooper, will take place via an instructor-led online format over five weeks (including self-paced and live virtual components). Each week is intended to be 4-5 hours of work. All participants will receive feedback weekly, including written feedback on activities submitted to the instructor, and in the moment verbal feedback in live virtual sessions.
Duration & format:
Weekly schedule (4-5 hours per week for five weeks)
- 3 hours of interactive live virtual sessions
- collaborative partner practice activity (45 minutes)
- 1-2 hours self-paced learning (completed on your own time)
- presentation (prerecorded, 45 minutes)
- reading (30-60 minutes)
- windowpane exercise (10 minutes)
- quiz (10 minutes)
This is an intensive course covering the learning typically involved in both a basic MI training and an intermediate level training. Participants must commit to participating in all five weeks, as each session builds on the previous. Participants can expect to devote 4-5 hours each week to both self-paced and live virtual components for a total of 20-25 hours over the five weeks.
Course objectives:
- Discuss the four principles of MI (Spirit of MI).
- Discuss the four processes of MI.
- Demonstrate four skills used in MI (OARS).
- Differentiate between change talk and sustain talk.
- Demonstrate the “Testing the Waters” framework to test readiness for planning within an MI conversation.
- Demonstrate the 5-step process to develop an MI based Action Plan.
Intended audience:
Upon completion, participants will apply the foundations of MI in their work and explore opportunities to incorporate MI adherent strategies into routine conversations with individuals. Some organizations have used this course to work towards MI implementation by sending leaders and supervisors to gain skills and think critically about how MI can be utilized and supported amongst staff. Others have encouraged participation of staff based on their individual interest, availability, and their own personal commitment to learning and integrating MI into their work. Space is limited and we will prioritize participants based on several factors including: order of application, varied organizational representation, and history of past training with MASBIRT TTA. Due to funding from Massachusetts Department of Public Health, people who live and/or work in Massachusetts will be prioritized.
Join a training:
Summer 2025
July 21 – August 22: Click here to apply
- Live sessions will be held on Wednesdays 10am-1pm
- Live session dates: 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20
Fall 2025
September 8 – October 10: Application coming soon
- Live sessions will be held on Tuesdays 1pm-4pm
- Live session dates: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7
October 20 – November 21: Application coming soon
- Live sessions will be held on Wednesdays 10am-1pm
- Live session dates: 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
- Live session dates: 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12, 11/19
To request accommodation, please contact us.
If you’d like to be added to our marketing list to get notified when applications open for upcoming cohorts, please email [email protected].