Advanced Motivational Interviewing: Strengthening Change Talk

Session Description: Motivational Interviewing (MI), developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, is an evidence-based, person-centered counseling approach designed to strengthen an individual’s intrinsic motivation for behavior change. This advanced session is intended for clinicians who have prior training and experience using MI in clinical practice. After a brief review of the core principles and micro-skills of MI, the session will focus on advanced strategies for eliciting and strengthening change talk, responding effectively to ambivalence and sustain talk, and guiding clients toward commitment to behavior change. Through structured instruction and real-play practice, participants will develop practical tools and strategies that can be immediately implemented to enhance motivation and support behavior change across substance use, mental health, and integrated care settings.