Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a “collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change.” This evidence-based approach is valuable in helping build knowledge, skills, and confidence for all people working in health and human services including Peer Specialists. In this two-day training, participants will learn about the history of MI and how it applies to their work, the mindset and heart-set of this approach, the four processes that guide MI conversations, the four core skills used in MI, and how to use these skills effectively to help strengthen others’ motivation to change. There will be ample opportunities throughout the training to practice the skills and strategies of MI with feedback and coaching. The objectives of this 6 hour training are:

• To move beyond the use of the core interviewing skills (OARS) and to more fully embrace what motivates people to adopt a behavior change by increasing skill
• To delve deeper into how we can foster collaboration with the people we serve by practicing the MI Spirit (empathy and compassion), and attuning ourselves to be active listeners who reflect what we hear.

CEUs: Advocacy 1, Ethics 1, Mentoring and Education 2.5 and Recovery and Wellness 3.5