Introduction to MI Online
Based on the book, Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd Ed., 2012), and a brief introduction to the Stages of Change (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1986). This interactive, online course has been designed for practitioners who work with or desire to work with clients.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Recognize and assess their client’s stages of change and their relationship to intrinsic motivation.
- Guide clients through ambivalence.
- Apply the spirit of Motivational Interviewing when working collaboratively with clients.
- Understand the Four Processes and steps that can be used within the Evoking Process.
- Use the Micro-skills used within the Four Processes.
- Recognize, respond to and support client readiness.
- Use introductory Motivational Interviewing strategies.
Course Structure
As often is the case with on-line courses this one is set up in modules to be completed in order. Each module encompasses interactive material that includes engaging presentation slides with audio, videos, and assignments. The material is broken out into self-directed learning modules. The modules are designed to be completed over a seven week period (one module per week). There are 7 modules and each module consists of online & offline components.
Participants can request an extension to complete the modules if needed.
Given the nature of Motivational Interviewing where the interaction between client and counselor is fundamental, communications with a client or “practice client” will be important throughout the modules.
If you do not have access to a client or it is not appropriate or feasible to practice in your work setting, it is fine to invite a friend, family member or colleague to role-play with you.
A coach is available for questions and provides ongoing feedback on all course assignments.
Course Length & Certificate of Completion
Participants can start the course at any time and will receive a certificate of completion if they complete all seven training modules (est. time of completion online is 7 hours) and roughly 5 hours of out of class assignments for a total of an 12 hour course. The final assignment in the course is recording and submitting a 10-12 minute audio session.
There are no required textbooks for this course, however, participants can enhance their learning through the purchase of Motivational Interviewing 3rd Edition, from Drs. Miller and Rollnick.
What you need for this training
Participants require internet connection to participate in this online training. You will also be asked to create a Dropbox account to submit your recording for your final module. Training can be accessed via Mac or PC.
| Modules | Est time to complete | |
| Module 1 | Mental Models and Stages of Change | 1 hour |
| Module 2 | Motivational Interviewing Defined | 1 hour |
| Module 3 | Four Processes | 1 hour |
| Module 4 | Ethics and Righting Reflex | 1 hour |
| Module 5 | The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing | 1 hour |
| Module 6 | The Micro-skills within the Four Processes | 1 hour |
| Module 7 | The Micro-skills within the Four Processes
Out of Class Assignments |
1 hour
5 hours |
| Total Hours | 12 hours | |
About the Instructor
Roxanne Sawatzky is passionate about using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in the employment sector. She has played a pivotal role in three research projects measuring the effectiveness of MI with employment service providers. In her first project, she successfully managed a 3 year 1.3 million dollar research study for the Provincial and Federal Government with 2400 individuals participating. Her second project was with a First Nations community and her third and fourth project was with income assistance service providers in British Columbia.
Roxanne is the founder of Empowering Change, Inc., a leading organization empowering service providers to enhance existing interactions with multi-barriered individuals.
Empowering Change is shifting social service providers’ thinking and practice by increasing effective, short-term motivational service delivery methods through Motivational Interviewing. This innovative company has delivered training to diverse employment services providers and not-for-profit groups. Roxanne and her team have conducted workshops and presentations nationally and internationally. Roxanne has her M.A. in Leadership and Organizational Change. She also holds a Certificate in Addictions counselling and case Management. In addition, Roxanne became a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers in Spain in June 2009.