Motivational Interviewing Training: Programme Evaluation

Abstract

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation for building and strengthening motivation to change, which has been found to be effective in promoting behaviour change across a wide range of behaviours. The efficacy of MI, like other evidence-based counselling interventions, relies on the skill of the practitioner. Therefore, it is imperative that practitioners receive sufficient training in order to successfully implement the method. The present report details an evaluation of an MI training programme for staff of Child Youth and Family (CYF), Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand. Measures of MI knowledge and skill were utilised in order to evaluate the progress of the participants, and suggest that the CYF staff who attended the MI training significantly improved both their knowledge and skill in MI, although level of MI skills did not tend to be at proficiency level. Consequently further training in the form of ongoing coaching and feedback is recommended.