An Intro to Motivational Interviewing

We have at our disposal an array of evidence-based practices (EBPs) for a variety of disorders (e.g., depression, PTSD, OCD, etc.). However, there is a significant proportion of clients who have difficulties engaging in those EBPs. A motivational interviewing approach (MI) may help resolve ambivalence related to EBP engagement. MI is defined as “a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change” (Miller & Rollnick, 2012). Integrating and overlaying this MI style onto an EBP can help overcome engagement challenges (e.g., homework completion) and continue to move individuals in the direction of change. There is also value in using MI as a prelude to an EBP to shore up motivation and to facilitate engagement in the EBP.  The purpose of this training will be to introduce MI to participants and review basic MI concepts, including MI spirit, the four process of MI, and “change talk.”

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe Motivational Interviewing (MI) spirit.

2. Describe the four processes of MI.

3. Describe change talk and how it is important in MI conversations.

Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0123.

Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.