We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Aaron Roberts

This course is designed to help you acquire the tools, strategies, and understanding of motivational interviewing and it's applicability. From this course, you will gain an understanding of the processes and principles of motivational interviewing, so you will be equipped to help those who you work with to discover the power they have within themselves to seek and create change in their life. In this course, you will learn how to apply motivational interviewing strategies to different situations, when and how to use tools, in such situations, and to boost your confidence when working with individuals from all walks of life. MI is particularly a great tool to help individuals overcome significant challenges and barriers that stand in the way of their progress.

Read more

This course is designed to help you acquire the tools, strategies, and understanding of motivational interviewing and it's applicability. From this course, you will gain an understanding of the processes and principles of motivational interviewing, so you will be equipped to help those who you work with to discover the power they have within themselves to seek and create change in their life. In this course, you will learn how to apply motivational interviewing strategies to different situations, when and how to use tools, in such situations, and to boost your confidence when working with individuals from all walks of life. MI is particularly a great tool to help individuals overcome significant challenges and barriers that stand in the way of their progress.

Motivational interviewing is useful in many different real-life scenarios and is has been particularly studied and found to be effective in healthcare, mental health, addiction, career counseling, coaching and even parenting. Research has repeatedly shown it's effectiveness and utility, as well as it being a versatile and robust method of counseling with individuals who are experiencing ambivalence, resistance to change, destructive behavioral patterns or low motivation. 

Please join me in this course to learn more about how you can use and leverage motivational interviewing strategies to help others overcome and make lasting changes in their life.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Define motivational interviewing and it's processes and principles
  • Explain the difference between motivational interviewing and traditional methods
  • Understand the evolution of motivational interviewing and it's applicability in various fields
  • Know how to create a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation for change
  • Explore carl roger's person-centered approach and it's influence on motivational interviewing
  • Apply motivational interviewing in various contexts and in different stages of change

Syllabus

Review the course and outline
Why Motivational Interviewing?
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing
Learn about what motivational interviewing is and what it isn't.
Read more

In this quiz, your knowledge about motivational interviewing will be tested.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the application of motivational interviewing across diverse fields, including healthcare, career guidance, and addiction treatment, making it highly relevant for professionals in these areas
Teaches strategies to create a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation, which is a core skill for anyone in a helping profession
Examines Carl Rogers' person-centered approach and its influence, providing a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of motivational interviewing
Discusses the psychology of motivational interviewing and related brain processes, offering a unique perspective on the mechanisms of behavior change
Includes examples of applying motivational interviewing principles in primary care, employee performance, and addiction treatment, which helps learners translate theory into practice
Addresses common pitfalls in motivational interviewing, which helps learners avoid errors and improve their effectiveness

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Mastering mi: practical tools for change

According to learners, this course offers a clear and concise introduction to Motivational Interviewing, particularly highlighting its practical application. Students frequently praise the real-life examples and scenarios provided, finding them highly effective for understanding how to use MI in various professional contexts like healthcare, coaching, and counseling. Many feel they gained actionable strategies and tools they could apply immediately. While considered a solid foundation, some reviewers note it serves best as an introductory or intermediate resource, suggesting further practice is needed for mastery. Overall, the course is described as very well-structured and provides a positive learning experience for those seeking to understand and apply MI principles.
Great for beginners, may need more advanced study.
"Excellent introduction to MI, highly recommend for beginners."
"As a complete beginner, this was perfect for understanding the basics."
"It gives a solid foundation, but I will need more practice to become truly proficient."
"Good overview, but advanced practitioners might seek deeper dives elsewhere."
The course is logically organized and easy to follow.
"The structure of the course was logical and easy to follow."
"The modules flowed well from one topic to the next."
"I found the organization of the content very helpful for learning."
"The course structure made complex ideas digestible."
Real-life examples demonstrate concepts effectively.
"The real-life examples really helped solidify my understanding."
"I appreciated seeing how MI is applied in different scenarios."
"The case studies and demonstrations made it much easier to grasp."
"Seeing MI used in practice through the examples was invaluable."
Concepts are explained simply and clearly.
"The instructor explains the concepts of MI in a very clear way..."
"I finally understand the core principles after taking this course."
"Everything was broken down into easily digestible parts, making complex ideas accessible."
"This course clarified aspects of MI that I previously found confusing."
Provides tools and strategies for real-world use.
"I immediately felt equipped to use these techniques in my coaching sessions."
"The practical strategies were easy to implement in my interactions."
"This course gave me concrete tools I can apply right away in my work."
"I learned actionable techniques that are directly applicable to my professional role."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mastering Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Change with these activities:
Review Stages of Change Model
Familiarize yourself with the Stages of Change model to better understand how individuals progress through change, a key concept in motivational interviewing.
Show steps
  • Read articles and summaries on the Stages of Change model.
  • Identify the different stages and their characteristics.
  • Reflect on how this model relates to behavior change.
Read 'Motivational Interviewing, Helping People Change'
Deepen your understanding of motivational interviewing by reading the foundational text on the subject.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Motivational Interviewing, Helping People Change'.
  • Read the book, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how the concepts apply to real-world scenarios.
Practice Reflective Listening Skills
Sharpen your reflective listening skills, a core technique in motivational interviewing, through focused practice.
Show steps
  • Find a partner to practice with.
  • Take turns being the speaker and the listener.
  • Practice reflective listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and summarizing.
  • Provide each other with feedback.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore 'Building Motivational Interviewing Skills: A Practitioner Workbook'
Enhance your practical skills in motivational interviewing by working through the exercises in this practitioner workbook.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Building Motivational Interviewing Skills'.
  • Work through the exercises and activities in the workbook.
  • Reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Create a Motivational Interviewing Role-Play Video
Solidify your understanding of MI by creating a role-play video demonstrating its application in a specific scenario.
Show steps
  • Choose a scenario relevant to motivational interviewing.
  • Write a script outlining the conversation.
  • Record the role-play video with a partner.
  • Review and edit the video for clarity and effectiveness.
Volunteer at a Local Clinic or Counseling Center
Gain real-world experience by volunteering at a clinic or center, applying MI techniques with clients under supervision.
Show steps
  • Identify local clinics or counseling centers that offer volunteer opportunities.
  • Apply for a volunteer position and complete any required training.
  • Provide support to clients using MI techniques under supervision.
  • Reflect on your experiences and identify areas for growth.
Design a Motivational Interviewing Training Program
Apply your knowledge of MI by designing a training program for others, reinforcing your understanding of its principles and techniques.
Show steps
  • Define the target audience and learning objectives.
  • Develop a curriculum that covers the key concepts of MI.
  • Create training materials, such as presentations and handouts.
  • Plan interactive activities to engage participants.

Career center

Learners who complete Mastering Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Change will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors work with individuals struggling with substance use disorders to develop coping mechanisms, set goals for recovery, and maintain sobriety. This course is particularly well-suited for an addiction counselor seeking new tools. The course emphasizes the use of motivational interviewing for overcoming resistance to change, a common challenge in addiction treatment. The course also delves into the principles of motivational interviewing, which an addiction counselor may find indispensable when working with clients experiencing ambivalence and low motivation to change.
Health Coach
A health coach guides clients towards healthier lifestyle choices by setting goals and creating action plans. The course goes in depth on how motivational interviewing helps individuals find inner motivation to make necessary lifestyle changes. The health coach can use motivational interviewing to help clients overcome challenges that are standing in the way of good health. The course explores how to apply motivational interviewing in different situations, giving a health coach strategies that are readily applicable in practice.
Life Coach
A life coach helps individuals identify their goals and develop strategies to achieve them. Mastering Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Change prepares you to facilitate clients' self-discovery process by using proven techniques that empower individuals to create meaningful change in their lives. This course's exploration of person centered approaches to counseling can help the coach foster a positive environment for change. The instruction on applying motivational interviewing in diverse scenarios will equip a life coach with skills to support clients in various stages of change.
Mental Health Counselor
A mental health counselor provides therapy and support to individuals experiencing emotional, psychological, or behavioral difficulties. This course provides a strong framework for understanding how to help those who are experiencing challenges. The course explores how to create a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation for change. The instructor also provides specific examples of how to apply motivational interviewing in various settings, which a mental health counselor can readily apply to their own practice.
Employee Assistance Counselor
An employee assistance counselor provides confidential support and resources to employees dealing with personal or work-related issues. This course's focus on motivational interviewing can greatly benefit the counselor's approach to employee well-being. The course's instruction on how to apply motivational interviewing strategies to different situations prepares an employee assistance counselor to address a variety of employee needs. The course covers how to use the approach with individuals across a variety of fields, which is particularly useful in a counselor role that caters to all kinds of employees.
Career Counselor
Career counselors assist individuals in exploring career options, creating job search strategies, and navigating professional transitions. This course's emphasis on motivational interviewing techniques can be a valuable tool to help clients overcome barriers to career advancement and achieve their career goals. The course helps those in this role understand the use of motivational interviewing across various fields, from healthcare to employee performance, giving the career counselor real world examples of how others use the technique.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors help individuals with disabilities achieve their personal and vocational goals. A rehabilitation counselor would find this course particularly helpful, as it explores how to use motivational interviewing to help others overcome barriers to progress. The course's exploration of the processes and principles of motivational interviewing equips rehabilitation counselors with effective strategies for their client work. The course also explores how to support individuals in their journey, and the unique challenges they face in creating needed change.
Social Worker
Social workers provide support and resources to individuals and families facing various challenges, from poverty to domestic issues. This course provides strategies to help a social worker help others discover their own power to create change. The course shows the application of motivational interviewing in diverse contexts and different stages of change, helping a social worker support their clients effectively. The insights into the psychology of motivational interviewing and brain processes will be helpful to those working with a wide variety of clients.
Peer Support Specialist
Peer support specialists use their own lived experiences to help others in similar situations. A peer support specialist will find understanding motivational interviewing a great way to support others. The course equips a peer support specialist to create a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation for change. The course also focuses on how motivational interviewing helps others across various stages of change, providing practical skills to employ when working with clients.
School Counselor
School counselors help students with academic, social, and emotional development. This course can be a useful tool to help students navigate their challenges. The course shows how to create environments that support self-motivation, which is especially relevant when working with students. The course covers how to apply motivational interviewing in different situations. A school counselor may find the course's insights into common pitfalls and research on motivational interviewing extremely valuable.
Human Resources Specialist
A human resources specialist can leverage motivational interviewing to support employees and teams. The course helps the specialist understand the principles of motivational interviewing and how to apply them in various employment contexts. The course provides specific examples of using motivational interviewing in employee settings. The course covers how to create a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation, which is valuable for human resources specialists who aim to promote a positive workplace culture.
Probation Officer
Probation officers supervise individuals on probation and support their rehabilitation. The course may be useful learning how to use motivational interviewing techniques to help those clients make progress. The course explores the use of motivational interviewing in real life situations, which can benefit a probation officer aiming to foster positive change in the lives of those they supervise. The course's emphasis on creating a supportive environment can be helpful when working with individuals resistant to change.
Consultant
Consultants provide expert advice to organizations and individuals to solve problems and improve performance. A consultant may find the focus on motivational interviewing a relevant skill to help others reach their goals. The course explores how to use motivational interviewing to help individuals overcome resistance, ambivalence, and low motivation to change. The course also provides real world examples of how and why motivational interviewing is effective, which is relevant to the consultant who is helping diverse clients across different industries.
Program Coordinator
A program coordinator manages and implements programs, often in the social service or health care sectors. The course may be helpful in learning how to use motivational interviewing techniques with individuals who are participating in a program. The program coordinator can apply the principles of motivational interviewing to foster a supportive environment that encourages participants to take ownership of their progress. The course covers motivational interviewing in different contexts and across different stages of change, making it relevant to the role of a program coordinator.
Case Manager
Case managers assess the needs of clients and coordinate services to support them. This course may be helpful for a case manager who wishes to learn practical skills to motivate their clients. The course provides specific guidance on how to apply motivational interviewing in real-world settings. The case manager may benefit from the focus on creating a supportive environment that fosters self-motivation for change, as well as insight into common challenges that come with using motivational interviewing.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mastering Motivational Interviewing for Behavioral Change.
Is considered the definitive guide to motivational interviewing. It provides a comprehensive overview of the theory, principles, and techniques of MI. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic settings and by practitioners in various fields. Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the core concepts and practical applications of MI.
This workbook provides practical exercises and activities to help develop MI skills. It complements the core textbook by Miller and Rollnick. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their proficiency in MI techniques. is best used concurrently with the course.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser