Online - Motivational Interviewing: MI Fundamentals - compassionate conversations about change

MI Fundamentals is an introduction to the spirit, skills and practice of motivational interviewing.

2 days across 1 fortnight (Tuesday 4th and Tuesday 18th of November)
MI workshop delivered through ZOOM that provides an opportunity to learn and practice MI skills.
It is suitable for people who are new to MI and those wanting to refresh their existing skills.

What is MI? Motivational interviewing is a collaborative client-centred, goal-oriented style of communication around change. More than a set of techniques, it pays careful attention to the language of change, and requires clinicians to work from a base of acceptance and compassion.

Whilst many counselling styles are client centred, MI’s point of difference is that the clinician’s careful reflections and summaries of the client’s change talk, evokes from the client their own motivation for change.

Does it work? Motivational Interviewing has a strong evidence base for engaging and maintaining people in treatment. It evolved from the alcohol and other drug field and has been used across a variety of settings including public health, needle syringe programs, psychiatry, correctional services, dentistry, education and sports and elite coaching.

How will it help? MI plays well with others. An MI lens over our existing skillset helps sharpen our focus, and makes what we have more useful, versatile, and effective.

What will happen during this interactive ZOOM workshop?

An overview of the updated motivational interviewing framework
Opportunity to practice core skills through ZOOM breakout rooms
Exploration of the MI processes/tasks
Practising ways to lessen sustain talk and increase change talk
Finding ways to respond to common situations such as ambivalence and discord.
Learn ways of continuing learning in MI

About the facilitator: Gail Friswell is a social worker with the Alcohol and Drug Service (ADS) where she has been since 2013. She was first introduced to MI whilst working as a youth health worker in 2007. Prior to this Gail was a teacher with the Department of Education for 18 years.

Gail has continued learning MI since starting with ADS and has been a member the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) since 2019. She is also on the committee of MINT Oceania, which is the regional MINT chapter that connects and supports others in the practice, research and training of MI.

Essential details:

MI Fundamentals workshop via ZOOM over 2 days spaced 1 fortnight apart. Please note sessions will not be recorded.
Participant numbers are capped to 16.
You will need a computer (laptop or PC) that has audio and video connected. Please note a mobile phone won't be sufficient.
A certificate of completion will be issued for those who attend both full days.

Save the date:

Tuesday 4th November 2025 9am-4:30pm

AND

Tuesday 18th November 2025 9am-4:30pm

ZOOM link will be sent 2 weeks before course starts