Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, person-centred approach designed to help individuals find their own motivation to make positive changes. It is widely used across health and social care to support people who may feel uncertain or ambivalent about change — whether related to health behaviours, lifestyle, or recovery.
This free motivational interviewing course introduces you to the principles, techniques, and spirit of MI, helping you develop practical communication skills that encourage positive decision-making and empower individuals to take control of their lives.
Why Take This eLearning Course?
In health and social care, professionals often work with people who are struggling to change behaviours or make important life decisions. Motivational Interviewing provides an evidence-based framework for having meaningful conversations that lead to action — without pressure or judgement.
Here’s why this course is essential for care professionals:
- Build trust and rapport: Learn how to engage people respectfully and collaboratively.
- Encourage lasting change: Use MI techniques to guide individuals toward their own goals.
- Improve communication skills: Apply structured techniques like OARS (Open Questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries).
- Enhance outcomes: Support people in overcoming resistance, ambivalence, and uncertainty about change.
- Align with UK care standards: Reflect MI’s core principles within person-centred and strengths-based approaches.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define Motivational Interviewing and explain its purpose in health and social care.
- Describe the core principles of MI, including Partnership, Acceptance, Compassion, and Evocation (PACE).
- Understand the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente) and how MI aligns with each stage.
- Apply OARS communication skills to support people through open dialogue.
- Recognise and respond effectively to change talk and sustain talk.
- Manage resistance and discord while maintaining empathy and collaboration.
- Apply MI’s four key processes — Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning.
- Set achievable goals and help individuals strengthen their confidence to change.
- Reflect on personal practice, identify challenges, and measure the impact of MI interventions.
- Avoid common pitfalls, such as giving unsolicited advice or confronting resistance directly.
Target Audience
This course is suitable for:
- Health and social care professionals
- Support workers and care assistants
- Social workers and recovery practitioners
- Nurses, counsellors, and allied health professionals
- Anyone supporting individuals to make lifestyle or behavioural changes
No prior knowledge is required. The course provides a solid foundation for anyone wishing to use MI in their daily work.
FAQ
How long does the course take?
The course can be completed in around 1 hour, depending on your pace and reflection activities.
Do I need previous training in counselling?
No. The course introduces MI principles in an accessible way, suitable for all care roles. This course provides an introduction to Motivational Interviewing.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital certificate to evidence your learning.
Is this course CPD accredited?
CPD accreditation is currently being finalised. Certificates will include CPD hours once accreditation is complete.
Motivational Interviewing empowers individuals to make meaningful, self-directed changes. It respects autonomy, builds confidence, and encourages open communication — values that sit at the heart of compassionate and effective care.
By developing MI skills, you’ll be better equipped to support people to achieve positive outcomes, enhance motivation, and strengthen trust between professionals and those they support.
Enrol on the free Motivational Interviewing online course today
Gain the confidence, skills, and knowledge to inspire positive change through empathy, collaboration, and communication.
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Motivational Interviewing Training Course CPD Accredited and Government Funding
We’re working on getting this Motivational Interviewing Training Course CPD accredited, and any course that’s approved will be clearly labelled as CPD accredited on the site. Not every health and social care course has to be accredited to help you meet CQC expectations – what matters is that staff are competent, confident and properly trained for their roles under Regulation 18. Our courses are built to support those requirements, and because they’re not government funded there are no eligibility checks or ID needed – you can enrol and start learning straight away.
