Description
Participants will examine the spirit of Motivational Interviewing —collaboration, acceptance, evocation, and compassion—and explore how practitioner communication styles, assumptions, and the “righting reflex” can either support or impede client engagement. Grounded in evidence-informed theories and frameworks, this training emphasizes practical strategies for engaging clients, rolling with resistance, eliciting change talk, and supporting readiness for change across stages.
Through applied examples, reflective exercises, and structured practice, participants will strengthen their ability to guide conversations that honor autonomy, reduce resistance, and promote sustainable, client-driven change in diverse practice settings.
About the Presenter:
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze how practitioner assumptions, communication styles, and the “righting reflex” contribute to client resistance and disengagement within helping relationships.
- Differentiate between directing, guiding, and following communication styles and evaluate their appropriate use within a Motivational Interviewing framework.
- Apply the core components of the MI spirit—collaboration, acceptance, evocation, and compassion—to real‑world client scenarios to strengthen therapeutic alliance and autonomy. Assess client readiness for change by identifying change talk, sustain talk, and indicators of importance and confidence using MI‑consistent strategies.
- Construct MI‑aligned responses to resistance using reflective listening, emphasis on choice, discrepancy development, and strategic shifting of focus.
- Design a collaborative, client‑centered action plan by integrating evocation techniques, Ask‑Tell‑Ask, and SMART goal principles.
Agenda:
Foundations of Motivational Interviewing (60 minutes)
Welcome, training overview, and framing MI as a collaborative conversation style
(Lecture, reflective activity and large group discussion)
Motivation, Assumptions, and Resistance (30 minutes)
Identifying how assumptions influence practice decisions
How practitioner behavior can unintentionally increase resistance
The righting reflex and Thomas Gordon’s roadblocks
(Lecture and Small‑group activity)
Engaging, Focusing, and Rolling with Resistance (60 minutes)
Engaging clients through OARS and empathic listening
Focusing conversations using agenda mapping and evocation
Rolling with resistance: reflection, choice, discrepancy, and shifting focus
(Applied case discussion, Lecture and large group conversation)
Evoking Change Talk and Planning for Action (30 minutes)
Identifying and strengthening change talk vs. sustain talk
Change language
Tools for change
Planning for change: SMART goals, confidence building, and support
(Lecture, large group discussion and Self‑reflection activity and integration into practice)
Accreditation - This Webinar Offers 3 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits. It grants Credits as listed below.
- CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
This presentation is open to:
- Behavior Analysts
- Social Workers
- Professional Counselors
- Therapists
- Psychologists
- Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
- Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
- Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
This online class is offered at an intermediate level, and is beneficial for an intermediate level clinician:
- New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
- Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
- Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
- Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives
Additional information
- Refunds: Registrants who are unable to attend a NEFESH seminar or live webinars may ask for, and will receive, a credit or refund (your choice). Refund requests will be processed within 3 business days. When an attendee knows in advance that they are unable to attend we ask that they inform NEFESH ahead of time by emailing secretary@nefeshinternational.org or by calling or texting 201-384-0084 this allows us to free up the spot in the training in the event that a training is at or near capacity.
- Disability Access: If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
- Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly.
- The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH is available here
- Satisfactory Completion: Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion in your account or by clicking here
- Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.
- There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
- System Requirements: Any device (such as a computer, tablet, or phone), Dual-Core 2 GHz or higher processor, and at least 4 GB of RAM capable of running a Zoom session, along with a stable internet connection.
- Although early registration is recommended for this class in order to ensure the best experience, attendees may register and join until the start of the program