Loading...

Course Description

Motivational interviewing (MI), developed by clinical psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, is a directive, client-centered approach used to strengthen clients’ motivation for positive behaviour change by exploring and resolving feelings of ambivalence. Research has shown that the MI approach, first developed for working with those who demonstrated problems with drinking, is effective in activating positive behaviour change for a wide range of concerns including other substances of abuse, mental health problems, unhealthy relationships, diabetes management, smoking cessation, weight loss, unemployment, and health care improvement.

This interactive Professional Development course will introduce participants to the fundamental principles and techniques of motivational interviewing. Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the basic concepts of motivational interviewing, including its spirit and essential principles and processes.
  • Strengthen empathic engaging skills described by the OARS acronym.
  • Redefine “resistance” including strategies for responding to discord in the clinician-client relationship.
  • Identify “change talk” in their clients including strategies for evoking “change talk.”
  • Implement motivational interviewing strategies to explore and resolve clients' feelings of ambivalence including strategies for responding to “sustain talk.”
  • Assess clients’ readiness for change.
  • Describe the Transtheoretical Model of Change and explain the relationship between motivational interventions and the stages of change.
  • Practice applying MI to address difficult situations.

Notes

For more information contact the Faculty of Social Work Professional Development office:

Email: fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca
Phone: 548-889-4967

If you need to cancel this registration, please email fswprofessionaldevelopment@wlu.ca.

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd

Loading...
Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) for City of Brantford
Type
Classroom
Days
W, Th
Time
9:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Oct 08, 2025 to Oct 09, 2025
Schedule and Location
Total Hours
12.0
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
Customized Fee non-credit $0.00
Section Notes

Instructor: Ian Robertson, MSW, RSW

Location: This Professional Development course is being held remotely through Zoom. 

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd
 

Section Title
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) for City of Brantford
Type
Classroom
Days
T, W
Time
9:00AM to 4:00PM
Dates
Nov 11, 2025 to Nov 12, 2025
Schedule and Location
Total Hours
12.0
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
Customized Fee non-credit $0.00
Section Notes

Instructor: Ian Robertson, MSW, RSW

Location: This Professional Development course is being held remotely through Zoom. 

Website: wlu.ca/fswpd
 

Required fields are indicated by .