Motivational Interviewing: Overcoming Client Resistance to Change

• • Determine how to overcome the client's resistance to change and enhance the client's intrinsic motivation
• • Identify and overcome the "traps" that hinder effectiveness
• • Discover Motivational Interviewing's application in the healthcare setting
• • Recognize correct and incorrect use of MI techniques
• • Compare MI to other types of brief therapy models
• • Apply techniques to elicit self-motivational statements from your client
• • Examine video case studies and observe techniques of MI in action

Making Positive Behavioral Change
Helping professionals are continually struggling with effective motivation strategies to help clients bring about positive behavioral change. Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques are proven to be an effective brief therapy intervention that lessens ambivalence to change and assists the client in developing a workable change plan. This technique began as a tool for addiction counselors, and is proving to be equally effective in any situation where a client may be resistant to change. Through the use of this approach, resistance and denial are reduced and the climate is set for behavioral change to take place.

This one-day seminar helps participants appreciate the benefits of MI, a directive, client-centered style of working with people. Attendees will gain useful techniques for overcoming ambivalence to change within their clients, including tips for substance abuse problems, diet management issues, and medication compliance. Correct and incorrect use of MI will be examined, along with indications and contraindications. Through a mixture of lecture, video session processing, and group participation, participants will see the techniques in action. Attendees will leave with a fresh, new approach for working with resistant clients and will be energized to motivate their clients in returning to a healthy lifestyle.