Motivational interviewing (MI) is widely recognized as an evidence-based, brief treatment method for helping to strengthen motivation for and commitment to change. Initially developed to treat people with alcohol and other drug problems, MI has spread rapidly into applications within healthcare, criminal justice, social work, coaching, rehabilitation, health promotion, and schools.



Professor Miller will describe the clinical method of this interactive interview and detail how MI has evolved over 30 years of development, drawing on a large clinical research literature on the efficacy, process mechanisms, and training of MI. This presentation is not intended to teach clinical skillfulness in the use of MI, but rather to provide an understanding of the clinical method, how it can be useful in practice, what is known about why it works, and how clinicians can develop competence in delivering it.



This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:




  1. Describe the clinical method of motivational interviewing and its relationship to client-centered counseling.

  2. Recognize at least five types of change-talk.

  3. Identify the four component processes that comprise motivational interviewing.

  4. Distinguish “resistance” from sustain talk and discord.

  5. Differentiate a “decisional balance” from motivational interviewing.



If you have any questions about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

Attendees who register for this event will log in to the web conference center by using a computer and calling in to the teleconference line. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via computer. Live streaming video and/or document sharing will also be available to participants. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions.



Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.



This event will include lecture and question-and-answer periods. A recording of the web conference will be available to members in GoodTherapy.org's Continuing Education Archives within two weeks. After the live event, a written transcript of the event will be available in the Member's Area. Members of GoodTherapy.org can receive continuing education credits for attending this event by logging in to the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area.


Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

"Very informative. I like the presenter's style - I wish he had been one of my professors!" - Jama Thurman, LMHC

Meet the Presenter

William R. Miller, PhD

William R. Miller, PhD, completed his degree in clinical psychology at the University of Oregon and has taught at the University of New Mexico since 1976, where he is now Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology. Dr. Miller directed the university's doctoral program in clinical psychology, and he was co-director for the Center on Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Addictions (CASAA). Dr. Miller's work has focused on the development, dissemination, and testing of behavioral treatment for people who suffer from addictions.

Dr. Miller has authored 40 books and more than 400 articles or chapters and has consulted for the World Health Organization, the National Institutes of Health, the United States Senate, and the National Academy of Sciences. His most recent books are Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd edition), and Treating Addiction: A Guide for Professionals. Dr. Miller has been awarded by the American Psychological Association twice for career achievement, and by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with the Innovators in Combating Substance Abuse Award. He was the recipient of the Jellinek Memorial Award and has been recognized as one of the most cited scientists by the Institute for Scientific Information. His passion is to combine spirituality and psychology as a pastoral counselor.

For more information on Dr. Miller, please visit www.williamrmiller.net.