Motivational Interviewing Helping People Change

Level 2: MI Intermediate Skills Lab

Hillary-Bolter-Consulting-Motivational-Interview

In this 4-week (12 hour) intermediate workshop, we dive into MI PRACTICE.

You will complete this course feeling more fluid in utilizing OARS skills throughout the 4 Tasks of Motivational Interviewing.

Four sessions are LIVE VIRTUAL, with a mix of presentation, practice, videos & audio samples via Zoom platform.
All weekly sessions are recorded for your viewing, so don't worry if you miss a week! (We cannot provide Continuing Education for viewing recorded sessions- just those you attend live plus the Ethics seminar)
A 3-hour self-paced Ethics and MI course is included! (Total CE is 15!)

How this course works

Session 1

Are you ready to get real with your MI skills?!

We will start with a super-fast review of MI, & watch some “MI in action.” Then, we will jump into OARS skills practice within the first task of MI, Engagement.
Session 2

OARS Boot Camp!

Rowing with OARS continues! How do we consolidate and guide conversation using OARS around specific change goals? In this session, we will continue OARS skills practice in the second task of MI, Focusing.
Session 3

Rowing with OARS and EARS?

Wait, I was finally getting OARS when you threw in a new acronym. EARS? “E” stands for elaboration, which is surely what we want to do when we are hanging out in the third task of MI, Evoking. We want to camp out and help people connect more deeply to their own personal change talk. More opportunities for practice, practice, practice!
Session 4

Effective use of OARS with change planning

So when a client FINALLY has enough fuel for change, it’s time to transition to the Planning tasks in MI. How do we create an effective change plan? We will continue to hone our OARS practice as we dial into the fourth tasks of MI, Planning. You’ll have a chance to both guide and be on the receiving end of creating a MI change plan in this session!

Is This Course Right For Me?

If you have taken basic MI training in recent years, you are eligible to sign up for this intermediate course! (A basic course in MI is typically 10 or more hours. If you have not yet or need a solid refresher, join our Foundations course first!). After a quick review, we move into experiential practice. We will be practicing the OARS skills in each of the 4 Tasks of MI in each session.

Course Objectives

Session 1

Demonstrate MI core communication skills (OARS)
Develop MI skills and strategies specific to each of the four tasks of MI: Engagement, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning
Engagement Task: Practice demonstrating effective empathy
Engagement Task: Demonstrate engagement techniques with difficult-to-engage with clients

Session 2

Focusing Task: Practice collaborative focusing techniques while supporting client autonomy
Focusing Task: Demonstrate the use of agenda mapping and methods for focusing on conversation with multiple target behaviors
Focusing Task: Demonstrate agenda setting and bringing up difficult topics with clients

Session 3

Evoking Task: Explain the difference between change talk and sustain talk
Evoking Task: Describe ten methods to elicit and reinforce change talk
Evoking Task: Demonstrate the applications of Ask-Offer-Ask to enhance collaboration and support autonomy

Session 4

Planning Task: Identify client signs for change plan readiness
Planning Task: Practice ways to develop effective change plans
Planning Task: List 3 Brief Action Planning questions that can be used with clients

Course Syllabus

View course syllabus here

Course Schedule 2025/2026

November 2025: Wednesdays from 10:00a-1:15pm and 2:15-5:30pm ET on 11/5 and 11/11 (Morning and afternoon sessions over two days)

February 2026: Wednesdays from 12-3:15pET on 2/4, 2/11, 2/18 and 2/25

(Four sessions over four weeks)

April 2026: Wednesdays from 10a:00-1:15p and 2:15p-5:30pET on 4/22 and 4/29

(Morning and afternoon sessions over two days)

Select your preferred cohort from the calendar to register

Pricing

$497 (Regular Pricing)
$447 (Early Bird Pricing)

Early bird pricing available for select cohorts

Please review our FAQs before registering.

How it works

Choose your preferred cohort
Select the "Next" button
Fill out your Billing Details and your card details to complete payment
Submit payment to complete your registration
Check your email inbox for your receipt and confirmation email
You'll receive email reminders 24hrs and 1hr before the scheduled live sessions

100% Privacy. We Will Never Spam You

We have discounts available when registering groups of 4 or more. Please contact us for group registration information and pricing. Email us for 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

Which Course is Right For Me?

Are you still unsure on which course to start?

Learn more about our courses!

Learn more

Continuing Education

MI Center for Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7223. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. MI Center for Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the program
This workshop is also approved by NAADAC. This course has been approved by MI Center for Change, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #222168, MI Center for Change is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
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.
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-000585-2) 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.
Regarding other licensures and certifications, you will be provided with a certificate of completion at workshop completion, with total workshop hours, objectives, and trainer bio for submission to your licensure board.
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.

Learn More

All trainers at MI Center for Change are members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers.

Frequently asked questions

Get your questions answered here!

Can I take this course if I haven't taken an intro course?

Nope! This course will hit the ground running. Do you know the basics of the OARS skills? Are you able to describe the essential elements of the spirit of MI? Do you know a bit about the four processes of MI and how it all comes together around evoking Change Talk? We suggest attending this course if you have taken basic MI training of at least 10 hours in recent years. If not, check out our Foundations course for a thorough refresher.

Course Objectives

Level 2: MI Intermediate Skills Lab

Session 1

Demonstrate MI core communication skills (OARS)
Develop MI skills and strategies specific to each of the four tasks of MI: Engagement, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning
Engagement Task: Practice demonstrating effective empathy
Engagement Task: Demonstrate engagement techniques with difficult-to-engage with clients

Session 2

Focusing Task: Practice collaborative focusing techniques while supporting client autonomy
Focusing Task: Demonstrate the use of agenda mapping and methods for focusing on conversation with multiple target behaviors
Focusing Task: Demonstrate agenda setting and bringing up difficult topics with clients

Session 3

Evoking Task: Explain the difference between change talk and sustain talk
Evoking Task: Describe ten methods to elicit and reinforce change talk
Evoking Task: Demonstrate the applications of Ask-Offer-Ask to enhance collaboration and support autonomy

Session 4

Planning Task: Identify client signs for change plan readiness
Planning Task: Practice ways to develop effective change plans
Planning Task: Apply Brief Action Planning questions to planning with clients

3 Hr Ethics

Describe the interplay of ethics and Motivational Interviewing
Identify the ethical implications of each of the three styles of communication
Apply ethical decision-making when determining when to utilize equipoise versus Motivational Interviewing when supporting client resolution of ambivalence
Describe the ethical dilemmas present within each of the four tasks of Motivational Interviewing

View course syllabus here

What are the requirements to register your interest for this course?

If you are registering for this course:

It is the applicant's responsibility to review the course objectives
You must commit to attending all training dates
You must observe the cancelation policy

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.

What is the cancellation policy for this course?

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions of use for our refund and cancellation policy.

Continuing Education Credits

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For CE, you must complete the 12 hours of interactive synchronous zoom sessions (all four 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.
- Participants looking to receive NBHWC CE must complete a quiz before completing the end of course evaluation.
Check out our complete List of CE Approvals here. MI Center for Change maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
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.
View our Syllabus here.
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.
Please email admin@micenterforchange.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Group registration

If you are signing up a group of 4 or more, you are eligible for a group discount. Email us for more information on how to register groups. If you are in need of a scholarship, you are welcome to reach out!

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.

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.