Level 1: Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

You only have 24 weeks of access to the entire course starting on your purchase date (self-paced content and MI Playground live Zoom calendar).

The date of the recorded modules was May 5, 2024. All content has been updated to reflect Motivational Interviewing updates as published in Motivational Interviewing 4th Edition (2023) by Miller & Rollnick.

Level 1: Foundations of MI

6 Hours of Module

• Explain the theoretical basis, history, and research basis of MI
• Describe the four elements of the MI spirit: compassion, autonomy, empowerment, and collaboration
• List the three Styles of Communication and explain the applications of each
• Assess client readiness through the Stages of Change
• List methods for working with clients in the precontemplation stage of change
• Identify the Fixing Reflex & the 12 Roadblocks to communication
• Demonstrate seven types of complex reflections
• Explain applications of guiding with reflections to client conversations
• Identify the differences between simple and complex affirmations
• Describe methods of affirmations with various client scenarios
• Describe and apply skills in each of the four tasks of MI: Engagement, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning

6 Hours of MI Playground Sessions

• Demonstrate MI core communication skills: Open Ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
• OARS: Explain the differences between Open and Close-ended questions
• OARS: Identify the differences between simple and complex reflections
• OARS: Explain the benefits of reflective responses over questions
• OARS: Analyze the differences between affirming and praise
• OARS: Create effective summaries that consolidate and guide client conversation

View our course syllabus here.

If you are signing up a group of 5 or more, you are eligible for a group discount. Email us for more information on how to register groups. 

We are committed to expanding equity in online education and want to encourage new perspectives and an inclusive learning space. We have scholarships available. Contact us for information on scholarships.

Nope! Although MI was created in the field of substance abuse treatment, MI is now widely used in disciplines from counseling psychology to dentistry, education to criminal justice, healthcare, case management, coaching… I’ve trained attorneys who work with clients who are victims of interpersonal violence in MI, as well as peer support, law enforcement, HIV case management, life coaches… I could go on and on! 

I never received my certificate!
Did you complete one of our online or in-person trainings and submit the end-of-course evaluation?

• If not: Be sure to check your spam or junk folder for any missed emails. We typically send follow-up emails within 48 business hours. Once your evaluation is submitted, your certificate will be issued. If you are unable to find any of our previous post-training emails, please email admin@micenterforchange.com
• If yes, please complete this form, and we’ll be happy to issue your certificate.

I need another copy of my certificate!
To request an additional copy of your certificate, please complete this form. Note that a small processing fee applies for re-issuance.

Please take the time to read the System requirements, Terms and Conditions for attending MI Center for Change events. You may view them here.

View our Syllabus here

See our Refund and Cancellation Policy here.

We offer weekly Live interactive MI Playground sessions on alternating dates in hopes that you can attend. If there is any conflict with the dates please reach out to admin@micenterforchange.com

See our calendar here.

Awesome! That’s a great way to take the course! You can watch videos together, do practice exercises, and support one another to complete the course! Groups are welcome!

Group Registration Discounts: We offer discounts for group registrations. To qualify, a group must consist of at least 5 registrants and each registrant must use their own device to complete the course. The discount applies to the total registration fee when all members of the group register at the same time.

Individual Course Access: Each member of the group must sign in the course individually using their own device. This ensures that all participants receive the proper accreditation and learning experience.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
For more information or to register a group, please contact us at admin@micenterforchange.com

Read our Terms and Conditions here.

You will have access to the 6 modules for 24 weeks starting on your purchase date. All of the downloadable materials are yours to keep!

Absolutely. Every module covers MI skills you can begin practicing right away. Even a little MI goes a long way, so as the course progresses, your skills will build and you will experience more success in those change conversations!

If you need a refresher in Motivational Interviewing (it’s been a while), or are NEW to MI, this course is for you. 

Because Motivational Interviewing has been around for a hot minute (since the early 1980’s!), many folks have had some exposure to MI. Maybe it was talked about in one of your college courses. Maybe a lunch-n-learn. Maybe someone at your agency presented an overview of MI. Maybe you have heard of the OARS but don’t feel confident in each of those skills. You may have the sense you use Motivational Interviewing, but aren’t sure how to describe exactly what that means.

You will complete this course with CONFIDENCE, able to say, “I know what Motivational Interviewing is; I am comfortable using each of the OARS skills; I know how the spirit of MI & OARS & 4 Processes fit together; and, I know when to pick up the tool of MI (and when not to)!”

1. We strive to create a safe learning environment where all people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion are accepted and respected.

2. We are committed to expanding equity in online education and want to encourage new perspectives and an inclusive learning space. Are you a member of the LGBTQIA+ and/or BIPOC community? Are you a person with disabilities? Are you currently a student? Please reach out to us and let us know your budget, as we have specific course scholarships for you.

For CE, you must complete the 6 modules and quizzes of recorded asynchronous learning and 6 hours of interactive synchronous MI - Playground Sessions (all four OARS MI Playground sessions).
We do not provide CE certificate for partial course completion.
Following course completion and completion of End of Course evaluation, participants will receive an email with their downloadable CE certificate within 48 business hours.

This course is approved by the following continuing education listed above, or you can view our course syllabus for more details.
Does your board not accept CE from any of our continuing education providers? Upon workshop completion, you will receive a certificate of 12 hours of CE, and we will provide trainer bio and workshop objects to turn in to your board along with your certificate of completion.

Check out our complete List of CE Approvals here. Those not mentioned in the course syllabus do not apply to this course. MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Please email admin@micenterforchange.com if you have any questions or concerns.

After purchasing the course you will receive your login details by email, please check your spam folder.

Live MI Playground Sessions meet at different times and dates during your 6-month workshop access to accommodate various time zones and schedules! You will have 6 months' access to the Live MI Playground Sessions. This means you will have 12 dates and times for you to pick from during your workshop access to join in the Live MI skills practice and Q&A.

Your receipt is sent to the email address that you used to register for the course.

MI Center for Change email notifications are sent from our event management system to the email address you used to register for an event. Certain email providers have very sensitive spam filters, your MI Center for Change event notifications may therefore land in your spam folder. While we do our utmost to make sure that you receive all notifications, we advise you to check your spam folder before contacting us, if you notice that you have not received an anticipated email notification about an upcoming event that you have registered for. 

Please email admin@micenterforchange.com with any queries you may have about this course. There may be a delay in responding to your query if it is sent to any other email address.