Level 1: Foundations in Motivational Interviewing 

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Describe the theoretical foundations, historical development, and evidence base underlying Motivational Interviewing (MI)

• Identify the core elements of MI spirit—compassion, autonomy, empowerment, and collaboration—and their role in effective change conversations

• Distinguish among the three primary communication styles and recognize how each functions in client interactions

• Evaluate client readiness for change using the Stages of Change framework

• Identify MI-consistent approaches for engaging clients who are not yet considering change, including those in the Precontemplation stage

• Recognize the tendency to move into problem-solving or correcting too quickly and identify common communication behaviors that create resistance

• Demonstrate the use of multiple forms of complex reflections to deepen and guide client conversations

• Apply reflective listening strategically to support direction and momentum within conversations

• Differentiate between simple and more advanced forms of affirmations

• Use affirmations appropriately across a range of client situations to reinforce strengths and effort

• Describe and apply foundational skills associated with each of the four MI processes: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning

   

1. Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

• Theoretical foundations of Motivational Interviewing

• Historical development of MI

• Research evidence and effectiveness of MI

• MI and behavior change in contexts of ambivalence, avoidance, and low follow-through

2. MI Spirit & Practitioner Mindset

• The core elements of MI spirit:

  • Partnership

  • Autonomy

  • Compassion

  • Empowerment

• The role of practitioner mindset in the change process

• MI spirit as a determinant of engagement, resistance, and momentum

3. Motivational Interviewing in Financial Empowerment

• Application of MI in financial education, coaching, and advising

• Distinctions between MI in financial empowerment and:

  • Clinical or therapeutic MI

  • Traditional financial literacy instruction

  • Compliance- or advice-driven financial counseling and advising

• Financial empowerment contexts suited to MI (e.g., budgeting, debt, savings, financial anxiety, behavior change)

4. Styles of Communication

• Overview of the three styles of communication:

  • Directing

  • Following

  • Guiding

• Communication style and its impact on engagement, resistance, and ownership

• Communication style choices in financial empowerment scenarios

5. Stages of Change

• Overview of the Stages of Change model

• Client language and behavioral indicators across stages

• MI-consistent responses across stages

• Precontemplation and early-stage change dynamics

• Readiness, pacing, and resistance

6. Fixing Reflex & Communication Roadblocks

• Practitioner impulses to correct, advise, or solve prematurely

• Common communication roadblocks in financial conversations

• Impact of fixing and roadblocks on autonomy, motivation, and engagement

• MI-aligned alternatives that support reflection and client ownership

7. Core MI Communication Skills: OARS

• Overview of OARS:

  • Open-ended questions

  • Affirmations

  • Reflections

  • Summaries

• Integration of OARS skills in financial conversations

8. Simple and Complex Reflections

• Simple reflections

• Complex reflections

• Seven types of complex reflections

• Strategic use of reflections to guide conversations and evoke change talk

9. Affirmations

• Affirmations and strengths-based communication

• Affirmations versus praise or reassurance

• Cultural and contextual considerations in affirming client strengths

10. Questions & Summaries

• Open-ended and closed-ended questions

• Intentional use of questions

• Types and functions of summaries

• Summaries as tools for consolidation and direction

11. The Four Processes of Motivational Interviewing

• Overview of the four MI processes:

  • Engaging

  • Focusing

  • Evoking

  • Planning

• Process awareness in real-time conversations

• Avoiding premature movement toward action

Session 1: Foundations, Spirit, and Behavior Change

Focus: Conceptual grounding + mindset shift

1. Foundations of Motivational Interviewing

   • Theoretical foundations

   • Historical development

   • Research evidence and effectiveness

   • MI and behavior change in contexts of ambivalence and low follow-through

2. MI Spirit & Practitioner Mindset

   • Partnership

   • Autonomy

   • Compassion

   • Empowerment

   • How practitioner mindset shapes engagement and resistance

3. Introduction to MI in Financial Empowerment

   • Why MI in financial education and advising

   • Distinction from directive financial instruction

Between Sessions:
Reflection exercise: Identify moments of fixing, directing, or premature advice in your own practice.

________________________________

Session 2: Communication Style, Readiness, and the Fixing Reflex

Focus: Understanding interaction dynamics before skill-building

4. Styles of Communication

   • Directing, Following, Guiding

   • Impact of style on ownership and engagement

   • Style selection in financial empowerment settings

5. Stages of Change

   • Overview of stages

   • Behavioral indicators

   • MI-consistent responses

   • Precontemplation and early-stage dynamics

   • Readiness and pacing

6. Fixing Reflex & Communication Roadblocks

   • Practitioner impulses to correct and advise

   • Common roadblocks in financial conversations

   • Effects on autonomy and motivation

   • MI-aligned alternatives

Between Sessions:
Structured practice: Identify stage of change in real client interaction and reflect on style choices.

_________________________________

Session 3: Core MI Skills — OARS and Strategic Reflections

Focus: Skill acquisition and technical precision

7. Core MI Communication Skills (OARS)

   • Open-ended questions

   • Affirmations

   • Reflections

   • Summaries

   • Integration into financial conversations

8. Simple and Complex Reflections

   • Differences between simple and complex reflections

   • Seven types of complex reflections

   • Strategic use to evoke change talk

9. Affirmations

   • Affirmations vs praise

   • Strengths-based communication

   • Cultural and contextual considerations

10. Questions & Summaries

• Intentional questioning

• Types and functions of summaries

• Using summaries to consolidate and guide

Between Sessions:
Recorded role-play or structured peer practice using OARS with feedback rubric.

__________________________________

Session 4: The Four Processes and Applied Integration

Focus: Process fluency + application to financial empowerment

11. The Four Processes of Motivational Interviewing

• Engaging

• Focusing

• Evoking

• Planning

• Real-time process awareness

• Avoiding premature planning

Application to Financial Empowerment Contexts

• Budgeting

• Debt conversations

• Savings and follow-through

• Financial anxiety

• Behavior-change barriers

Implementation Planning

• Embedding MI into financial education sessions

• Embedding MI into advising conversations

• Aligning MI with organizational goals

April -May 2026 Cohort (Virtual)

April 18, 25 and May 2, 9.

8:30 AM-12:00 PM- Manila Time

Virtual Classes- $250 (USD) per person

For in-person group trainings, please send us an email at info@mifeinstitute.com