Motivational Interviewing: Improving Client Outcomes by Increasing Intrinsic Motivation for Change
Presented by: Randi Jensen, MA, LMHC, SUDP
When: Friday, May 23rd, 2025 | 9:00 am – 4:30 pm Pacific Time
Where: Live on Zoom. You will receive your Zoom link/invitation the week of the workshop.
Continuing Education Credit Hours: 6 CEs | $190.00
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an established evidence based practice renowned for resolving ambivalence. MI, which has its origins in the field of substance abuse treatment, has been shown to enhance client motivation for change and improve treatment outcomes. The spirit of MI is complementary with Self-Determination Theory (SDI), which asserts that people have an intrinsic desire to make life changes congruent with their core values. SDI states that people are more likely to be internally motivated if their actions, beliefs and core values are in alignment. Motivational Interviewing provides the technique to make that happen.
The principles of Motivational Interviewing include providing accurate empathy, building discrepancy, rolling with resistance and increasing self-efficacy. These supply the basis for building intrinsic motivation for change and can facilitate the resolution of life-threatening ambivalence in suicidality.
Researchers Britton, Williams and Connor (2008) show how the therapist’s proficiency in Motivational Interviewing can resolve a client’s ambivalence and resistance to change.
Learning opportunities in this workshop include lecture, interactive discussion, video role plays, and skill-building through group exercises. These methods combine to provide techniques and interventions which can be applied immediately.
Objectives:
- Describe the principles that underpin Motivational Interviewing and how they promote client autonomy
- Articulate the distinguishing techniques of open ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizations
- Explain the Stages of Change as described by Prochaska and DiClemente (1983)
- Discuss the significance of Self-Determination Theory in coordination with MI
- Distinguish different methods of using MI with specific populations and varied disorders
- Express and practice Motivational Interviewing techniques used in counseling suicidal individuals
- Describe ethical considerations and documentation
- Enumerate necessary therapist qualities which support efficient use of MI
Randi Jensen has taught Motivational Interviewing during her eight years as adjunct faculty at Bastyr University and during her three years as Case Management Program Director for Antioch University and Seattle Job’s Initiative. Randi employs Motivational Interviewing skills in her Shoreline private practice where she specializes in treatment of Suicidality.