This is an interdisciplinary event between the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW), Social Care Ireland (SCI), the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI), the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM) and the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute (INDI).

The course has been funded by the HSCP Office, HSE. As such, places are available to social workers in the publicly funded healthcare service only. Tusla staff are not eligible to apply. Social Work has been allocated 6 places on this course.

The course is run over three half-days on Tuesday 5th/12th/19th September 2023.

Motivational interviewing (MI) adopts a person-centred approach that works by identifying and mobilising the service users/patient’s intrinsic values and goals to stimulate behaviour change. Motivation to change is elicited from the service user/patient, rather than imposed from without, thereby reducing defensive responses to interventions/treatment plans.

A multitude of clinical trials demonstrate that MI is more effective for improving health and eliciting long term behaviour change, than traditional treatment approaches (Rubak, Sandbaek, Lauritzen & Christensen, 2005). Moreover, studies demonstrate it is an effective approach for health and social care professions engaged with service user/patient groups presenting with varied needs (Miller et al., 2011). Improvements have been demonstrated in numerous health and social care settings. Using MI as a behavioural change method as part of a whole systems approach can impact on health inequalities, premature deaths, and health improvement.

Course Aims: This three-day course introduces participants to the theory and practice of Motivational Interviewing, with a strong focus on practical application.
• Discuss the theory and principles of Motivational Interviewing
• Describe the processes of Motivational Interviewing
• Utilise Core Motivational Interviewing skills.
• Guide clients towards change
• Offer advice and information in a way that promotes change.
• Understand the language of change.

Course Provider
The course provider is MindAware Consultancy Limited, a company specialising in training in Cognitive Behavioural Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Clinical Supervision, and Mindfulness Based Approaches. All trainers hold Postgraduate Degrees in Health or Social Care as well as counselling/psychotherapy qualifications. They are all trained in the use of CBT in a range of Health and Social Care settings. Additionally, they all have more than 15 years clinical experience and very significant expertise in education and training.