This introductory training provides psychotherapists with a solid foundation in Motivational Interviewing (MI), a collaborative, person-centered approach designed to enhance intrinsic motivation for change. Rooted in the spirit of partnership, compassion, acceptance, and evocation, MI helps clients resolve ambivalence and move toward meaningful behavioral change. Participants will explore the core principles of MI, including the four processes (engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning), with a focus on essential communication skills such as open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the spirit, principles, and four core processes of Motivational Interviewing.
- Demonstrate basic MI communication skills, including reflective listening and eliciting change talk.
- Identify opportunities to apply Motivational Interviewing techniques to support behavior change in a variety of clinical contexts.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective #1: Describe the spirit, principles, and four core processes of motivational interviewing.
- Origin of MI
- How engagement is different in MI
- How clients make decisions to change
Objective #2: Demonstrate basic motivational interviewing communication skills, including reflective listening and eliciting change talk.
- The relationship of the clinician to client
- The stages of change
- Meeting the client where they are at
Objective #3: Identify opportunities to apply motivational interviewing techniques to support behavior change in a variety of clinical contexts.
- Exploring the influence of values
- Motivational factors
- Beyond alcohol
Summary/Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 3 Clinical continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: May 2, 2026
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3hrs Clinical continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
System Requirements: Firefox, Chrome, Brave, Safari, Edge on any modern operating system (Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS). A desktop browser is recommended. We do not provide support resources for issues encountered using a mobile device.
Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com