AUDIENCE: INTRODUCTORY

Motivational Interviewing

Learn how to apply motivational interviewing techniques through practical skill-based workshops, modules, and sessions.

About the Education

This education introduces the building blocks of motivational interviewing (MI) and provides practical techniques you can apply immediately in your clinical work. You'll explore the core spirit of MI and the power of "change talk." Gain a deeper understanding of the four processes of MI—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—as well as key OARS communication skills: open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing.

Nationally recognized experts will guide you through hands-on activities designed to reinforce new skills and build your confidence. Whether you're learning MI for the first time or refreshing your existing knowledge, these offerings are an effective way to enhance your ability to motivate patients toward their treatment goals and elevate your practice.

Exploring your Options
  • Essentials Course - A four-hour online course ideal for those looking to refresh their knowledge, practice core skills, and reflect on how to apply them in clinical settings.
  • Live Workshop - Full-day, in-depth training sessions that provide immersive practice in the foundational elements of MI.
  • Resources - Access a variety of session recordings and materials covering key MI topics and current issues in the field.
Interested in Hosting A Workshop?

ASAM offers the MI workshop in a live virtual and in-person format. Find out more information on requirements and what's involved.

Contact Us

Featured Education

  • The ASAM Motivational Interviewing (MI) Essentials is a 4-hour online course designed for clinicians to practice skills that are consistent with motivational interviewer behaviors and to reflect on how to employ these skills in their clinical settings.

    • Register
      • Non-Member - $139
      • Regular Member - $99
      • Retired - $99
      • Early Career Physician - $99
      • Resident - $69
      • Student - $69
      • Associate - $69
      • ASAM Staff - Free!
      • International Member - $99
      • Emeritus Member - $99
      • Provisional Member - $99
      • Fellow Member - $99
      • Honorary Member - $99
      • CRT Member - $99
    • More Information
ASAM Clinical Tips: Motivational Interviewing

This microlearning series focuses on the framework and foundational skills of motivational interviewing: Spirit, Four Tasks, and OARS to help you build rapport with your patients, explore their intrinsic motivation for change, and guide conversations about pain management. 

Framing Conversations for Change: Spirit & Core Principles of MI (Video: 10 min, 38 seconds) In this video, Carolyn Chan, MD, MHS, and Ross Lawson, MD, explore the spirit and core principles of motivational interviewing. They break down MI-consistent behaviors, apply the Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment (PACE) framework, and examine the paradoxical effects of coercion and common clinical pitfalls. The goal of this video is to create supportive, nonjudgmental environments that promote collaboration and meaningful change for patients with chronic pain. 

Acknowledgment: This education is supported by an independent educational grant from the Opioid Analgesic REMS Program Companies (RPC). Please refer here for a listing of the member companies.