Motivational Interviewing Foundations

Register: Please use the EventBrite link above

Join the Self-Management Program of Southeast Ontario to consider practical applications to your healthcare work, using learner-centered, performance-based approaches.

• a total of 16-18 hours of self-paced online learning
• You will have 90 days to complete the program, starting from December 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027
• Includes three 30-minute practice and feedback sessions with expert trainers
• Appropriate for a wide range of professionals and peer helpers. From social workers and health care professionals, to mental health experts and addiction specialists.
• Certificate of completion provided and pre-approved for NCTRC continuing education credits.

Please note that we are only able to accept participants from Southeast Ontario.

What You’ll Learn

This course is focused on building an understanding of the spirit of MI and developing core skills, including using OARS (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries), responding to the way people talk about change, helping people to make Brief Action Plans, and understanding ‘resistance’.

• Define motivational interviewing (MI).
• Describe the spirit of MI and ways to express it.
• Recognize the difference between three styles of helping interactions.
• Contrast MI consistent and inconsistent practices.
• Discuss listening with an uncluttered mind.
• Describe and demonstrate the core skills for MI (open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries).
• Identify ways to provide information and advice consistent with the spirit of MI.
• Demonstrate ask-offer-ask.
• Recognize change talk and contrast with sustain talk.
• Strategically respond to sustain and change talk.
• Respond to change talk using the core skills for MI.
• Describe the four processes of MI.
• Demonstrate focusing.
• Demonstrate Brief Action Planning.
• Identify contributors to “resistance” and demonstrate MI consistent responses to “resistant patients or complex situations.
• Consider ways to apply skills to practice.