Training MI Interventionists across Disciplines: A Descriptive Project

Abstract

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a counseling approach that is versatile and can be applied in many professional settings. Therefore, teaching MI skills to multidisciplinary groups simultaneously has the potential to be quite beneficial for strengthening the MI skills of different groups. This paper describes a project in which professionals and students from psychology and nutrition/ dietetics were trained in MI in an attempt to bolster both groups’ ability to implement MI as part of a larger health intervention project. Specifically, we outline the common themes that emerged among the trainees’ experiences. Implementing a multidisciplinary training program in which trainees use their expertise and contribute to the training process appeared to have created a rich learning environment.