Motivational Interviewing: The Searchlight for Motivation with Ambivalent Clients

Angela R. Bethea-Walsh, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist and member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) will provide a full-day introductory-level MI training designed for health care providers. This level of training is appropriate for individuals with minimal or moderate exposure to MI.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based, person-centered clinical treatment developed to engage individuals into treatment in contrast to the traditionally confrontational and sometimes demoralizing treatment that historically has been practiced in the healthcare field.

This workshop will address how to use MI methods with ambivalent clients. Dr. Bethea-Walsh will also discuss how to use MI methods to get unstuck with clients who are reluctant or “resistant” to change.

Dr. Bethea-Walsh proposes to present the underlying “Spirit” and principles of MI. She will present an overview of MI methods within “The 4 MI processes” framework: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. Identifying “change talk” (language about changing) and “sustain talk” (language about not changing/maintaining status quo) will be presented and discussed. Open Questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries (OARS) will be presented as methods designed to increase individuals’ motivation for change and decrease or “dance with” relationship discord (formerly referred to as “rolling with resistance”). Attention will be given to when it is not appropriate to use MI.

Participants will be guided through exercises including live demonstration and practice. These exercises are designed to help participants have “a taste” of MI interventions in contrast to more confrontational helping styles. *Dr. Bethea-Walsh will not directly measure participants’ adherence to MI Spirit and methods, or competency using MI during the workshop. Participants will not be trained to proficiency or as “experts” in MI during this workshop.

Training Objectives:

1. Identify the limitations of a confrontational helping style with ambivalent individuals or in response to relationship discord.

2. Describe the “Spirit” of MI.

3. Describe the 4 processes of MI (Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, Planning).

4. Practice strategies to respond effectively to clients’ reluctance or “resistance” to change.

5. Utilize 3 MI principles or interviewing skills to elicit intrinsic motivation to change in a non-confrontational style.

6. Explain ways to reinforce “change talk”.

7. Develop a plan for how to integrate MI into clinical practice.