About this Independent Study

 This activity was originally released on October 19, 2018 and was last reviewed/updated on May 5, 2022. Once registered, you must complete the course within 150 days, or you will be deactivated. To be reactivated, contact us.

Motivational interviewing is a useful counseling approach for supporting positive behavioral change among adolescent patients. This course provides an overview of motivational interviewing for the primary care provider. It focuses on the spirit and principles of motivational interviewing, and provides examples of motivational interviewing strategies.

Who Should Take This Course

Physicians, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, behavioral health nurses and physician assistants, and social workers who work with adolescents.

Objectives

At the completion of this activity, you will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental spirit and principles of Motivational Interviewing
• Describe the Motivational Interviewing approach to assessing readiness for change
• Describe the Motivational Interviewing approach to building motivation and confidence for change

Author/Presenter

Nicholas Weiss, MD is a PAL (Partnership Access Line) Program Consultant for Seattle Children’s Hospital. PAL supports primary care providers (doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) with questions about mental health care such as diagnostic clarification, medication adjustment or treatment planning.