Motivational Interviewing Training-Helping Change Destructive Behaviours
What does this course involve?
Developing practical communication skills that can help people explore change and move away from destructive behaviours.
Helping someone change isn’t simply a matter of telling them what they should or shouldn’t do. People may understand that a behaviour is causing difficulties while still feeling uncertain, unwilling or unable to change it.
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative approach to communication that helps people explore their own reasons for change rather than having change imposed upon them.
This course introduces participants to the principles and practical skills of Motivational Interviewing, helping them have more constructive conversations with people who may feel uncertain or resistant about making changes in their lives.
Helping people find their own reasons for change
When we can see that someone’s behaviour is causing harm, our instinct can be to tell them what they need to do differently.
But simply giving advice doesn’t necessarily create motivation.
Motivational Interviewing takes a different approach. It encourages us to listen, understand the individual’s perspective and help them explore the difference between where they are now and where they may want to be.
- An introduction to Motivational Interviewing
- Understanding motivation and behaviour change
- Why people can feel resistant to change
- Understanding ambivalence
- Exploring someone’s reasons for change
- Listening rather than persuading
- Asking effective and purposeful questions
- Open questions and reflective listening
- Recognising and encouraging change talk
- Responding to resistance
- Avoiding confrontation and argument
- Developing empathy and rapport
- Supporting autonomy and personal choice
- Building confidence and self-belief
- Exploring goals and possibilities
- Applying Motivational Interviewing skills to real situations
No PowerPoint. No Death by Slides.
Bill believes the best training happens through conversation, discussion and genuine engagement — not by reading information from a screen.
Every Just Say Training course is written and delivered personally by Bill, drawing upon more than 35 years of experience working in mental health and related services.
There are no PowerPoint presentations. Instead, participants are encouraged to ask questions, discuss real situations and explore the subject in an open and engaging environment.
The result is training that feels relevant, memorable and connected to the real world.
What can you expect from the course?
Motivational Interviewing isn’t about convincing someone to do what we think is best for them. It’s about creating conversations that help people think about change for themselves.
Bill introduces the principles in an accessible and practical way, helping participants understand how small changes in the way we listen, question and respond can influence the quality of a conversation.
- Understand Motivation – Explore why people may want to change while simultaneously finding change difficult.
- Develop Better Conversations – Learn communication approaches that encourage people to explore their own thoughts and choices.
- Listen Differently – Develop greater awareness of how listening and reflective responses can support change.
- Work With Resistance – Explore alternatives to confrontation, persuasion and repeatedly giving advice.
- Encourage Change – Understand how conversations can help people identify their own motivations, strengths and goals.
- Real Conversation – Learn through discussion, questions and real-world examples rather than PowerPoint slides
Year of Experience
Years Delivering Training
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Courses Written & Delivered by Bill
Why choose Motivational Interviewing training?
Changing an established behaviour can be difficult — particularly when someone feels uncertain about whether they actually want to change.
Repeatedly telling someone what they “should” do can create resistance rather than motivation. Motivational Interviewing offers a different approach, helping professionals work collaboratively with individuals and create conversations that encourage them to explore change for themselves.
This course can be particularly valuable for people working within mental health, alcohol and drug services, healthcare, social care, counselling, criminal justice, housing, homelessness services, youth services, education and other support roles.
The aim is to give participants practical communication skills that can help people recognise their own reasons for change and feel greater ownership over the decisions they make.