Skip to content

Basics of Motivational Interviewing

Basics of Motivational Interviewing is an online course by Alison US CA teaching core MI techniques for therapists. Price varies. Ideal for counselors seeking evidence-based tools to support behavioral change in clients struggling with addiction or health-related habits.

● In stock

Buy at Alison →

Price and availability may change. Click to see current details on Alison.

Key features

  • Teaches OARS communication technique
  • Covers stages of behavioral change
  • Focuses on resolving client ambivalence
  • Explores group-based MI applications
  • Includes MI use in diverse health settings
  • Self-paced online learning format
  • Develops foundational MI skills

Pros

  • +Evidence-based content from MI pioneers
  • +Free to access with flexible pacing
  • +Suitable for beginners in counseling
  • +Practical techniques for real-world use
  • +Relevant across healthcare fields
!

Cons

  • No formal certification provided
  • Limited interactive or live feedback
  • Variable completion time per user

About Basics of Motivational Interviewing

What is Basics of Motivational Interviewing?

Basics of Motivational Interviewing is an online professional development course offered by Alison US CA, designed for therapists, counselors, and healthcare practitioners. Rooted in evidence-based research, it introduces motivational interviewing (MI)—a client-centered counseling method developed by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick. The course covers MI's foundational principles, history, and its proven effectiveness in reducing substance use, often matching or surpassing cognitive behavioral therapy and medication-based treatments.

Key features

  • Foundational Principles — Learn the core spirit of MI: collaboration, evocation, and autonomy.
  • OARS Technique — Master open-ended questions, affirming, reflective listening, and summarizing.
  • Stages of Change — Understand how clients progress through precontemplation, contemplation, and action phases.
  • Ambivalence Resolution — Develop skills to help clients resolve mixed feelings about behavior change.
  • Group-Based MI — Explore applications of MI in group therapy and community health settings.
  • Clinical Applications — Study how MI is used across healthcare environments including addiction, mental health, and chronic disease management.
  • Skill Development — Gain strategies to build and sustain MI proficiency over time.

Who is Basics of Motivational Interviewing for?

This course is ideal for mental health professionals, addiction counselors, social workers, nurses, and primary care providers seeking to improve client engagement and treatment outcomes. It’s especially valuable for those working with patients resistant to change or managing long-term health conditions. No prior MI experience is required, making it accessible for early-career practitioners or those expanding their therapeutic toolkit.

How does Basics of Motivational Interviewing compare?

Unlike general counseling courses, this program focuses specifically on MI—a structured yet empathetic method proven effective in substance use and health behavior change. Compared to in-person workshops, it offers flexible, self-paced learning at no fixed cost. While it doesn’t provide certification, it delivers foundational knowledge comparable to entry-level MI training in clinical psychology programs, making it a cost-effective starting point before advanced study.

🎯

Best use cases

  • Training new addiction counselors
  • Improving patient engagement in clinics
  • Supporting behavior change in therapy
  • Professional development for nurses
  • Teaching MI fundamentals in education
🛒

Is Basics of Motivational Interviewing right for you?

This course is best for mental health practitioners, counselors, and healthcare providers seeking to learn motivational interviewing fundamentals. Ideal for beginners or those refreshing core skills. No certification is awarded, so consider accredited programs if credentials are needed. Alternatives include live MI workshops or university courses with supervised practice.

How it compares: Compared to standard therapy training courses, Basics of Motivational Interviewing offers a focused, research-backed approach to behavior change. It’s more affordable than in-person MI certification programs and more clinically targeted than general counseling webinars.

More from Alison

?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is motivational interviewing used for?

Motivational interviewing helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about behavior change, especially in addiction, mental health, and chronic disease management. It's widely used in counseling to increase patient motivation and treatment adherence.

Does this course offer certification?

No, this course does not provide formal certification or continuing education credits. It serves as an introductory resource for learning MI principles and techniques, suitable for personal or professional development.

How long does it take to complete the course?

Completion time varies by learner, but most users finish within 3 to 5 hours. The self-paced format allows you to start and stop as needed, making it flexible for busy professionals.

Is Basics of Motivational Interviewing free?

Yes, the course is free to access through Alison US CA. Some users may choose to pay for a certificate or premium features, but the core content is available at no cost.

Can I use MI in group therapy settings?

Yes, the course covers group-based motivational interviewing applications. You'll learn how to adapt MI techniques for groups in addiction treatment, wellness programs, and community health initiatives.

Is Basics of Motivational Interviewing in stock at Alison?

Yes, Basics of Motivational Interviewing is currently in stock at Alison.

Specifications

Category
Software
SKU
5252
Last updated May 14, 2026