Motivational Interviewing – Online & face-face

Day 1 Learning Outcomes:
• Understand the fundamental spirit and processes of MI
• Directly experience the MI approach and contrast it with others
• Be acquainted with relevant evidence of efficacy
• Learn practical guidelines for exchanging information/giving advice “in the spirit of MI”
• Learn a MI strategy for assessing and building motivation
• Have direct practice in, and experience of, these particular applications


Day 2 Learning Outcomes:
• Strengthen empathic listening skills
• Direct practice and experience in the use of the core skills (including open ended questions, affirming, reflective listening, summarising) throughout the four processes of MI
• Direct practice in listening for, and responding to, change talk
• Learn the fundamental client language cues, that allow continued feedback and learning in practice

This workshop is ideal for professionals who support others in making positive changes, including:
• Doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists
• Nurses and community mental health nurses
• Case workers and social workers
• Counsellors and school counsellors
• Teachers and school leadership teams
• Youth workers
• Corrections and youth justice workers

Dr Eileen Britt
“Through my research and teaching I seek to make a difference, and to develop students who in turn will be people prepared to make a difference.”

Eileen Britt is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, an international collective of MI trainers (MINT) who promote excellence in the training, research, practice and implementation of Motivational Interviewing (MI). Eileen is also a MINT Certified MI Trainer.

Based in Christchurch, where she is a Professor in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury (UC), she has worked as a Clinical Psychologist in mental health, health, criminal justice and research settings.

In her role at UC, Eileen teaches MI to postgraduate clinical psychology students, and psychiatric registrars, and in the past has also taught dietetic and health science students. She conducts research on MI, including: its use with different populations (e.g., youth and adults with diabetes); as a pre-treatment engagement intervention (e.g., for youth with mental health disorders or perpetrators of intimate partner violence); in different settings (e.g., sports coaching and Work and Income); it's mechanisms of change; and the training of MI. Eileen is also one of the authors of Takitaki Mai: A guide to Motivational Interviewing for Māori practitioners.

In addition, Eileen provides MI training (introductory to advanced), supervision and coaching, and coding training for a range of NGO services, governmental and professional organisations. In 2022 Eileen was the recipient of a National teaching award - Te Whatu Kairangi