advancing MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING SKILLS: softening sustain talk

This 3.5 hour online bite-sized workshop provides participants with opportunities to practise responding skilfully to sustain talk through guided exercises, feedback, and coaching. The workshop focuses on techniques that soften inter-personal discord, reduce the emphasis on maintaining the status quo, and support more productive conversations about change Effective MI practice involves recognising sustain talk and responding in ways that acknowledge the person’s perspective while avoiding reinforcement of the arguments against change. Practitioners can use a range of MI strategies to reduce the focus on sustain talk and guide conversations towards exploring motivation, strengths, and possibilities for change.

Please note:

Participants should be confident in using complex (deeper) reflective listening skills before attending this workshop.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is designed for practitioners who have already completed at least an introductory Motivational Interviewing (MI) training and wish to further develop their skills and confidence in applying MI approaches in practice. The workshop is not intended to replace or replicate formal MI training. SDF delivers a comprehensive multi-day introduction to MI training through its Bronze Badge programme, which forms part of the SDF Motivational Interviewing Badge Scheme https://sdflearningcentre.org.uk/motivational-interviewing/

Skilled Level: The skilled level specifies the practice-specific knowledge and skills expected of practitioners who have direct or substantial contact and responsibility for people affected by substance use, and who are responsible for direct care or treatment of people affected by substance use. The ‘skilled’ level would typically apply to those in roles where there is responsibility for planning and delivery of support, care, or treatment.