An Introduction/ Refresher to Motivational Interviewing: A Collaborative Approach to Change

Course Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI) offers a practical, evidence‐based approach for supporting individuals in making and sustaining healthy behavior changes. Originally developed in the drug and alcohol field, and now back from hundreds of clinical trials demonstrating support for MI across a range of populations target behaviors, and mental health or medical conditions. The training will focus on participants understanding the MI model and core principles.  Additionally, participants will learn about the 4 processes of MI and OARS skills.

Friday, November 14, 2025

Educational Goals:

Through this presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Articulate key concepts from W. R. Miller & S. Rollnick’s Motivational Interviewing. Fourth Edition (Guilford, 2022).
2. Identify and learn skills around the 4 MI tasks: Engaging; Focusing; Evoking; Planning.
3. Deepen their understanding of core MI skills – open-ended questions, affirmation, reflections and summaries.
4. Improve ability to identify change talk and strategies to more effectively respond to sustain talk.

Instructor Information:

Robert Scholz is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and professional clinical counselor (LPCC) in the state of California.  He is a member of the motivational interviewing network of trainers (MINT) and regularly trains mental health and other helping professionals.  He has authored numerous publications, including a forthcoming book with the American Psychological Association on the Deliberate Practice of Suicide Assessment.

References:

• Eenshuistra, A., Bhola, P. M., Hoek-Dekker, A. J., Knorth, E. J., & Harder, A. T. (2022). To change or not to change? A study regarding the satisfaction of care workers and adolescents with the motivational interviewing based residential youth care training program up2u. Child & Youth Services.
• Manuel, J. K., Ernst, D., Vaz, A., & Rousmaniere, T. (2022). Introduction and overview of deliberate practice and motivational interviewing. In Deliberate practice in motivational interviewing. (pp. 3–15). American Psychological Association.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2023). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow (4th ed.). The Guilford Press.
• Schechter, N., & Torres, L. (2024). Motivational interviewing training, training resources, and system change. In N. Schechter, C. Jacocks, L. Butt, & S. T. Wegener (Eds.), Motivational interviewing in medical rehabilitation: Improving patient engagement and team function. (pp. 203–217). Oxford University Press.
• Self, K. J., Borsari, B., Ladd, B. O., Nicolas, G., Gibson, C. J., Jackson, K., & Manuel, J. K. (2022). Cultural adaptations of motivational interviewing: A systematic review. Psychological Services.