Motivational interviewing (MI) is a core communication style for working with both adults and young people. Originating in the drug and alcohol sector, it has been found to be of use in a much wider range of settings, such as housing setting and with people with multiple disadvantages. It is of particular value in working with people who are reluctant or struggling to changing behaviour which it would nevertheless be in their own best interests to change.

"Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention to the language of change. It is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person's own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion."

- Miller, WR & Rollnick, S (2013) Motivational Interviewing: helping people change 3rd edn.

Aims of the Programme

To increase confidence and skills of staff in working with people with severe multiple disadvantage who are ambivalent about changing challenging behaviours.

Learning Outcomes

Describe the four elements of the Spirit of MI: partnership, acceptance, compassion and evocation
Discuss the relationship between compassion and empathy
Experience the impact of evocative techniques
Describe the four processes of MI: engaging, focusing, evoking, planning
Demonstrate engagement skills
Demonstrate eliciting change talk

Delivery Method

The training will be delivered online via Zoom as 3 x 2hr sessions - a Zoom link will be provided nearer the time. Waypoint will deliver the training to three cohorts of learners with the second run on the following dates:

6th October 2021, 10:00-12:00
7th October 2021, 10:00-12:00
13th October 2021, 10:00-12:00

IMPORTANT NOTICE: EACH SESSION IS LISTED AS 3 INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS, BUT ATTENDEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER TO EVERY SESSION IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ACCREDITATION. PLEASE ENSURE YOU REGISTER TO ALL 3 SESSIONS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE COURSE.

Dates for the additional one cohort will be agreed at a later date. There will be a maximum of 23 learners in each cohort.

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI)