Motivational interviewing, a treatment approach developed by William Miller, has been well established as an effective way to promote behavior change in individuals. Following a brief review of the fundamental MI principles and micro‐skills, this experiential Introduction to MI skill development training will focus on helping clients/patients to engage in change talk, and then make commitments to make behavioral changes based on goals that they have identified. Ample time will be devoted to real play and group practice sessions to enable training workshop participants to gain the skills necessary to elicit change talk from clients/patients with low levels of readiness for change, thereby increasing levels of motivation and moving them toward action to address their substance use issues. 

At the conclusion of the full‐day Introduction to MI training session, participants should be able to:

1.    Describe at least two components of the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing and why each is important to the effective application of Motivational Interviewing.
2.    Compare the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing to traditional medical approaches to counseling clients/patients with substance use problems.
3.    Define at least three (3) key principles of Motivational Interviewing that can be utilized in conversations with clients and patients.

4.    Describe the importance of active listening before prematurely problem‐solving solutions for the client/patient.

5.    Describe and demonstrate, through real plays and group discussions, the effective delivery of at least three MI micro‐skills that be used to help clients/patients increase motivation for substance use related changes.

6.     Explain how to apply Motivational Interviewing techniques in typical circumstances encountered in behavioral health treatment settings.