One of the challenging things about learning motivational interviewing (MI) can be using the spirit and techniques when you have a limited amount of time with a client. We often hear from service providers how MI “won’t work in my setting because our visits are short; we have to just tell them what to do.” It is easy to be directive and tell people what to do, and at times, that can have a short-term positive effect. However, in the long run, research has demonstrated that it is not very effective.

For most of us, we make decisions about changing our behavior when our own goals and values align with the change proposed. In MI, our goal is to guide the other person to make their own decision about changing behavior. When using MI as intended, research suggests that movement in the direction of change can take place even in brief interventions. This training will equip mental health providers with MI tools that can be used effectively, particularly in brief encounters with clients. This training is intended for field-based mental health and outreach workers in Los Angeles County.