Level 1: Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

Develop foundational skills in Motivational Interviewing. This 12-hour course consists of two parts: Part 1 includes 6 self-paced modules (6 hours asynchronous), and Part 2 includes 6 hours of live trainer-facilitated skills practice sessions focused on the OARS skills delivered via four weekly 1.5 hour Zoom meetings (6 hours synchronous). Learn all the fundamentals of MI including the history, definition, spirit of Motivational Interviewing, OARS skills, & the 4 Tasks of MI.

Let's help you put down the weight of responsibility for your clients' change!

If you are like me, you work your tail off to help people change their lives AND LOVE DOING IT! Learn how to put down the weight of responsibility to change your clients: elicit their motivation for change! Motivational Interviewing is literally interviewing clients for their motivation!

This comprehensive Level 1: Foundations of MI is hybrid self-paced & live interactive course. There are both recorded and LIVE components!

System Requirements: You must sign-in the course individually using your own device. Please review our FAQ for more details.

How The Course Works

Part 1: Recorded Modules

6 hours of self-paced learning!

There are six watch-at-your-own-pace learning modules, complete with activities, handouts and activities you can instantly begin using with clients.

You have 6-months (24 weeks) of access to all self-paced content!

Part 2: Live Interactive MI Playground Zoom Sessions

6 hours of Live MI Playground Learning: A cornerstone of this course are the weekly LIVE MI Playground Sessions on Zoom run by MI trainers. After completing Part 1, you gain access to attend Part 2, the LIVE MI Playground OARS skills practice sessions. We dig deeper into module topics and activities through facilitated conversation, practice, and viewing of professional MI demonstrations.

Interested in ONLY attending the Live MI Playground (Part 2)?

Continuing Education

12 hours of Continuing Education Credits!

Through completing the 6 modules of self-paced learning + 6 hours of live MI Playground Sessions, you receive 12 hours of CE. Learn more about our Continuing Education providers here.

We do not provide partial Continuing Education credit for this course. Please review our FAQ for more details.

"I found this course to be super applicable and an "absorbable" mix of information, examples and practice. Getting the foundation of the spirit of MI was huge, along with going over OARS in more depth. Hillary presents and teaches in a way that I not only took in the information but am now also able to internalize the beginning skills and know how to practice it in session and out!

-Susan Peterson

Who Can Register?

Any helping professional interested in learning more about Motivational Interviewing! This is suitable for beginners or if you need a refresher in Motivational Interviewing (it’s been a while!). Wonder what level to take? Check out our 'course picker.'

Agencies or groups? Email us for group discounts & enrollment!

Course Objectives

Part 1: 6 Hours of recorded asynchronous distance learning (self-paced modules)

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

Part 2: 6 Hours of synchronous distance learning (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

Course Syllabus

View course syllabus here

$347 /One time payment

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Live Interactive MI Playground Sessions Info!

Live Interactive MI Playground Sessions meet at different times and dates during your 6-month course access to accommodate various time zones and schedules! The MI Playground sessions follow the OARS skills. The first MI Playground of each month is Open-Ended question practice, the second is Affirmation practice, the third Reflection practice, and the fourth is Summary practice. You must attend one of each of these four sessions to complete the 6 hours of MI OARS Playground sessions. This means you must attend Sessions 1, 2, 3 and 4 to cover each of the OARS skills.

2025/2026 MI OARS Playground Calendar

Ensure the calendar is displaying your local time zone.

MI Playground Agenda

Session 1: Open-ended questions

Let’s get curious! What we ask matters! Plus, scaling question exploration. We will also explore a MI vs. persuasion via professional demo.
0-15 minutes: Batting Practice Reflections
15-30 minutes: Open vs. Closed question activity
30-60 minutes: Open ended questions, scaling question practice
60-90 minutes: “My Father Also Hit Me” video demo with contrast, and debrief.

Session 2: Affirmations

Let’s play with the differences between cheerleading and affirming as we practice sleuthing for underlying client strengths!
0-15 minutes: Batting Practice Reflections
15-30 minutes: Exploring affirmations v. cheerleading via activity
30-60 minutes: Affirmation activity with standard client scenarios
60-90 minutes: qualities of successful changers strength and affirmation practice

Session 3: Reflections

Reflection practice via “You Mean That” activity. Then, we will complexify reflections via the “In the Moment” activity with client scenarios. View a master reflector in practice via professional demo.
0-15 minutes: Batting Practice Reflections
15-30 minutes: You Mean That reflection activity & debrief
30-60 minutes: Complex reflection practice
60-90 minutes: The Rounder MI video demo and reflection focus

Session 4: Summaries

Sum it up! Practice listening for key elements (change talk!) to include in summaries. View professional demo as we practice identifying client change talk and play with summaries!
0-15 minutes: Batting Practice Reflections
15-30 minutes: Summaries and change talk identification practice
30-90 minutes: Silent Man MI demo and reflection practice activity

Interested in ONLY attending the Live MI Playground?

More Testimonials

"Oh my gosh, your intro to MI workshop is the best online workshop I have ever taken. Sometimes I find in online workshops the leader is notably an expert practitioner but doesn't really have any methods for teaching or vice versa, an amazing teacher, but the content doesn't go as deep as would be helpful. Your program made me feel held, guided, and challenged by someone who is obviously well practiced in their field with a wealth and variety of incredible experience. I really appreciated your energy as you teach. It is very uplifting.

- Cynthia Kruse

Which Course is Right For Me?

Are you still unsure of which course to start?

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Continuing Education

MI Center for Change is a NBCC approved CE provider, ACEP No 7223. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. MI Center for Change is soley responsible for all aspects of the program. Your licensure board may or may not accept CE from NBCC. We encourage you to check! Regardless, you will be provided with a certificate of completion at course completion with total continuing education hours completed. You may request additional documentation that includes course objectives and trainer bio for submission to your licensure board.
MI Center for Change is approved for Continuing Education through NAADAC, provider #222168. Most courses include NAADAC approval, and are clearly identified. If you click here, you can read about organizations and boards that may accept NAADAC-approved CE's, but others may not. Each course clearly identifies CE provided.
MI Center for Change is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Your licensure board may or may not accept CE from APA. We encourage you to check! Regardless, you will be provided with a certificate of completion at course completion with total continuing education hours completed. You may request additional documentation that includes course objectives and trainer bio for submission to your licensure board.
MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content. MI Center for Change #1911, 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 periods (8/20/24-8/20/25).
MI Center for Change (CEA-000585-1) has been approved by the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) to provide continuing education for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches. You will receive 12 hours of continuing education for completing this course.
MI Center for Change has been approved by the Continuing Coach Education (CCE) to provide continuing education for the International Coaching Federation. Courses approved will be stated on the course syllabus.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. (CFP Board Center) owns and licenses to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, the CFP® (with plaque design) certification mark and the CFP® (with flame design) certification mark in the United States, which CFP Board authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. CFP Board Center also owns and licenses to CFP Board the CFP BOARD® service mark. Any marks owned by CFP Board Center and licensed to CFP Board are used with permission.

Check with your licensure board if they accept CE from these approved providers. We cannot guarantee CE provision for every licensure board. Please do not email us to ask if your licensure board will accept our CE. If you have questions about whether your board will accept these CE, you may submit the Course Syllabus to your licensure board to inquire. There is a Course Syllabus for each course posted on the web page of each course.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to questions about this Motivational Interviewing workshop.

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.

What If I don't finish in 24 weeks?

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).

Course Information & Objectives

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.

Isn’t MI mostly for addictions?

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!

Certificate FAQ

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.

System Requirements, Terms and Conditions

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.

What if I can’t make the live interactive MI Playround sessions?

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.

What if there is a group at my agency that wants to take the training together?

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.

Will I keep my access to the materials?

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!

Will I learn anything I can use right away? I’ve got a really tough client.

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!

I've taken a workshop in MI before, how do I know if this workshop is the right fit?

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)!”

We are Committed

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.
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.

Continuing Education Credits

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.

How do I register to attend this course?

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.

Where will I find my receipt of payment?

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

Why do I need to check my spam folder for event notifications?

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.

Who do I contact with any queries about this course?

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.

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