Full Course Description

Stephen Rollnick Motivational Interviewing Core Skills

This training brings together the lifetime work and achievements of Dr. Stephen Rollnick, developer of Motivational Interviewing. 

From “change talk” to more advanced “tough interviewing” skills, this course is a start-to-finish game changer for clinicians wanting the best and most up-to-date MI education available.

You’ll walk away with a deep understanding of the principles of MI, core skills, updated techniques and more.  Here’s a peek what you’ll discover inside…

  • New strategies for addressing ambivalence with greater precision and empathy
  • Enhanced tools for fostering client autonomy and reducing resistance
  • Expanded applications for trauma, addiction, chronic illness, and mental health settings
  • Practical techniques that make MI more efficient, effective, and adaptable to diverse populations

Plus, you’ll get pro tips on how to improve your practice, enhancing your well-being to prevent burnout.

Enroll now and join Dr. Stephen Rollnick’s most comprehensive MI training we offer!

Program Information

Objectives

  1. Define the core philosophy and concepts of MI.
  2. Describe how to create a flowing conversation and how it supports change.
  3. Examine the core skills of MI and how to use them.
  4. Identify specific client goals through the focusing process, creating a shared understanding of the direction for change.
  5. Explain the four tasks of MI.
  6. Explain how to move clients from ambivalence and sustain talk to change talk.
  7. Practice MI dialogues, conversations, and reflective exercises that explore core MI skills and philosophy.
  8. Develop awareness of the tendency to “fix” problems.
  9. Use key MI techniques, such as Rapid Engaging and affirmation, to navigate client ambivalence, promote change, and support clinician wellbeing.

Outline

Module 1: Helping People Grow and Change

Gain skills to use the most effective techniques of MI, such as exploring the Fixing Reflex, in for clients and in your own life to become more self-aware.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Avoid the fixing reflex while maintaining compassion
  • Wear strength lenses to change what you notice at the first session
  • Use the Helpfulness Matrix to assess the effectiveness and improve your technique
  • Enhance your self-awareness to elevate the effectiveness of your language

Module 2: Spirit, Tasks & Skills

Refine using a “person-first” approach that builds on client strengths and develops readiness.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Understand spirit and PACE
  • Master the four tasks of MI
  • Explore dialogues and example of client conversations
  • Get a simple map for advice-giving

Exercise: Stop and Think

Module 3: Mastering the Core Skills

Advance your knowledge the core skills by incorporating the newest updates and getting elevated education.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Embody “how to listen”
  • Master the OARS method
  • Know how and when to use affirmation with strategy and intention
  • Refine your reflections to clients
  • Know where you’re at on the Helpfulness Matrix

Exercise: What does it mean to be helpful?

Module 4: Creating Change Talk & Action

Differentiate “change talk” and “sustain talk” and learn how to harness client strengths toward change.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Keys to overcome client ambivalence
  • Notice how change talk varies and how to harness it toward action
  • Navigate sustain talk skillfully

Module 5: The Most Important MI Strategies

Gain 5 ready-to-use interventions that are key strategies for helping clients commit to their own goals and take action.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Learn “rapid engagement”
  • Use the “typical day” intervention
  • Integrate the “bubble sheet” method
  • Assess client’s importance on change and confidence in themselves
  • The lowdown on giving advice

Module 6: Asking & Answering Tough Questions

Enhance your skills when working in tense situations with tough thoughts through the interventions and key strategies in this module.

Skill Acquisition:

  • What to know: Common and Upsetting
  • When do use a “softer” style
  • How to lower antagonism by rolling with resistance
  • Respond to discord and sustain talk with precision

Example: Drinking too much

Module 7: Enhance Your Well-Being and Prevent Burnout

Integrate five simple reasons and ways to prevent burnout and enhance your wellbeing.

Skill Acquisition:

  • Practice emphasizing with care and restraint
  • The relationship between fixing and burnout
  • Managing heavy vs lighter loads

Module 8: Tips to Improve Your Practice

Take your ability to use MI from just “knowing it” to truly using the skills with intentionality and wisdom.

Skill acquisition:

  • Hone the art of using affirmation instead of praise
  • Adjust the Dial: Overstating and Understanding
  • Pointers to choose your words thoughtfully
  • Maintain a calm focus in busy conversations
  • Know your playbook and plant seeds
  • Explore values to open the door to fundamental change

Exercise: Spot the Difference

Target Audience

  • Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychologists
  • Case Managers
  • Addiction Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • Psych Nurses
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/10/2025

Live Q&A #1 - Dr. Stephen Rollnick's Motivational Interviewing Program

Copyright : 07/06/2026

Live Q&A #2 - Dr. Stephen Rollnick's Motivational Interviewing Program

Copyright : 09/07/2026

Live Q&A #3 - Dr. Stephen Rollnick's Motivational Interviewing Program

Copyright : 11/02/2026