Unlock the transformative potential of motivational interviewing in your counselling, coaching, or teaching role. Mastering motivational interviewing enhances your understanding of client behaviour, improves diagnostic accuracy, and strengthens the therapeutic relationship.
Mastering the Motivational Interview is a professional development course that explores the theoretical foundations and historical development of motivational interviewing, emphasising humanistic psychology for a person-centred, goal-oriented approach.
In this motivational interviewing course, you will learn the core principles of motivational interviewing—collaboration, acceptance, compassion, and evocation. You will also learn to facilitate change effectively and help clients explore ambivalence and articulate their reasons for change, making your interactions more impactful.
You will also develop key micro-skills, such as active listening, empathy, summarising, and asking open-ended questions, and techniques for building rapport and enhancing communication. You will explore motivational interviewing for specific populations and professional settings, such as healthcare, mental health, and community services, ensuring you can adapt your skills to diverse environments.
On completion of this course, you will be equipped with practical tools for the real-world application of motivational interviewing to enhance the effectiveness of psychological assessments and the quality of therapeutic interventions.
Course Structure
Unit - Mastering Motivational Interviewing
Unit 1 – Foundations of Motivational Interviewing
- What is motivational interviewing?
- Significance and application
- Historical development of motivational interviewing
- Person-centred, goal-oriented communication
- Collaboration, acceptance, compassion and evocation
Unit 2 – Core Concepts and Principles
- The spirit of motivational interviewing
- Directing, guiding and following
- Ambivalence in change
- Righting reflex
- Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)
Unit 3 – Understanding and Facilitating Change
- The process of change
- Importance, confidence and readiness for change
- The change ruler
- Sustain talk and change talk
- Managing ambivalence and enhancing motivation
Unit 4 – Skills for Motivational Interviewing
- Develop key micro-skills
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Open-ended questions
- Building rapport and enhancing communication
- Helping clients explore ambivalence
- Expressing reasons for change
- Good/bad examples of motivational interviewing
Unit 5 – Advanced Strategies
- Addressing sustain talk and discord
- Reflective listening
- Reframing
- Fostering change talk
- Strategies for working through resistance
Unit 6 – Practice and Application
- Role-playing and case studies
- Benefits of practice and role-playing
- Key MI techniques
- Benefits of case studies
- Enhancing empathy
- Practice scenarios
- Address cultural contexts
- Develop cultural competence
- Integration strategies
- Continuous learning
- Peer support
- Tailoring motivational interviewing to client needs
- Setting and measuring goals
Unit 7 – Motivational Interviewing in Specialised Settings
- Application with specific groups
- Indigenous populations
- Youth populations
- Dual diagnoses/concurrent conditions
- Healthcare settings
- Mental health services
- Community and social services
- Motivational interviewing demonstrations
Study Hours
Estimated duration 20 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will comprise written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Loved the way the content was structured. Videos were great to break up reading.
Leanne | Toowoomba, QLD | Mastering Motivational Interviewing
At first, I was overwhelmed, however, when I started, I realised that most of the work I am already doing with my groups, and it seemed to flow a lot easier. The readings were beneficial, and, in the end, I really enjoyed doing the course. It was also helpful to know that I could make contact if I needed and I was always informed of this and sent reminders.
Joyce | New Farm, QLD | Mastering Motivational Interviewing
Thankyou. Interesting course.
Sarah | Chapel Hill, QLD | Mastering Motivational Interviewing
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for BPAY, Bank Transfer and Afterpay.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Afterpay: Within 1-2 working days
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for:
- Counsellors
- Therapists
- Teachers
- Coaches
