Is learning MI an organized process?

It is interesting to me that as Miller and Moyers (2006) define eight steps to learning Motivational Interviewing (MI) they indicate that learning seems to have to be mastered one step at a time for the most part. They do note that you may be able to learn roll with resistance earlier in the process but you certainly cannot strengthen change talk until you learn to recognize change talk.  They also note that characteristics of the person using MI may impact the learning process.

What characteristics do you think promote or detract from learning MI?  Has anyone tried to learn it out of order and been successful? I would love to hear your reactions so we can all learn how we learn MI.  I am still in a dilemma about whether you learn it the same or differently than you learn to master other skills.  Does past experience with learning new skill impact outcome?

Theresa Williams RN, MBA, MSN, MEd

Miller, B. & Moyers, T. (2006). Eight stages in learning motivational interviewing. Journal of Teaching in the Addictions, 5(1), 3-17.

Learning to Learn? Global or specific?

Considering the learning to learn Motivational Interviewing (MI) approach rather than teaching MI do you think learning to learn is different for MI than anything else you want to learn?  For example, if I want to learn more about strengths-based management do I learn that the same way I learn MI or is the training unique for each zone of learning?

I would love your opinions.  This is a Pandora’s box and those of you with experience may have uncovered the answer (or opened the box!)

Theresa Williams RN, MBA, MSN, MEd