About Motivational Interviewing

What is Motivational Interviewing?

Motivation Interviewing (MI) was developed by Drs Stephen Rollnick and William R. Miller is a goal directed counselling style that helps people resolve internal ambivalence and find the necessary motivation to instil positive behaviour change. This evidence-based treatment method is now being used in more than 50 languages around the world and has been tested in over one thousand clinical trials.


How do your Motivational Interviewing courses differ from the workshops?

The online courses are equivalent to multi-day live workshops. Essentially, the content for both the online courses and the workshops are the same.  However with our online courses, there’s more opportunity to dive into the content, take advantage of the bonus material and ask questions for William Miller, Stephen Rollnick, and the trainers in our interactive forum.


Which Motivational Interviewing course should I take?

We recommend you start with our Motivational Interviewing - Foundational course or our Motivational Interviewing in Healthcare course if you work in the healthcare field. Our Motivational Interviewing for Addiction course is an advanced level course and suitable for anyone who has completed either the Foundational or Healthcare course. 

Motivational Interviewing can be used in many areas including counselling and psychotherapy, health care, social work, corrections, education and sport.


What professions can use Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing can be used in many areas including counselling and psychotherapy, health care, social work, corrections, education and sport.

Motivational Interviewing works because it helps people discover their own motivation for change rather than being told what to do. Research shows that when clients voice their reasons for change, they are more likely to follow through. MI combines empathy, collaboration, and clear focus, creating conversations where people feel understood, confident, and ready to act.


Is there certification for Motivational Interviewing?

At this time, there is no Motivational Interviewing certification process.  Therapists can train in Motivational Interviewing and continue to learn more through workshops, online courses, books, networking, joining Motivational Interviewing organizations etc.  You can also be listed as ‘Motivational Interviewing Trained’ on therapist databases.

However, Psychwire's Motivational Interviewing courses all provide CE/CME credits, and a certificate of completion that can be used to show professional development boards.