| Motivational Interviewing (M.I.) is a counselling approach originally developed for dealing with substance misuse issues in Health contexts, usually in one to one settings and over longer periods of up to an hour in length. The use of M.I. is now a core theme underlying the use of cognitive-behavioural techniques and Case Management both abroad and in the National Probation Service as part of the ‘what works’ agenda.
What is Forensic Motivational Interviewing?
ignition Forensic Motivational Interviewing is a variant of M.I specifically devised to take account of differences between Health and criminal justice settings such as degree of coercion and levels of overt resistance and hostility. ignition Forensic M.I. training is specifically developed for prison and probation contexts where work is with coerced individuals, and provides an extremely effective approach for engaging offenders in the overall process of behavioural change.
The training considers how behaviours which in criminal justice settings are usually seen as indicative of low motivation, such as ‘resistance’, non-attendance, non-engagement, non-completion of tasks and ‘denial’ are in fact heavily determined by the way the worker behaves and can be worked with productively through the use of the approach. The skills and approach embodied in Forensic Motivational Interviewing training are also important for the key ‘what works’ concept of pro-social modelling.
Who is the training suitable for?
Foundations of Forensic Motivational Interviewing is a Level 2 course suitable for all staff whose job role involves longer-term contact or one to one interviews around issues of behaviour change or assessment of offenders, or where positive and effective communication to develop and maintain motivation is a necessity. The training provides carefully structured skills and strategies for extended motivational work at the EARLY stages of the Cycle of Change when initial motivation for change is being explored and developed: Pre Contemplation, Contemplation and Action. Material includes:
Concepts
- Motivation as state not trait
- Resistance as two-way process
- The Cycle of Change
Skills
- Core effective listening skills of Reflection, Summary and Affirmation
- Rolling with Resistance
- Hearing and developing Change Talk
- Using Key questions
Strategies
- Clarifying costs and benefits of behaviour
- Exploring the decisional balance
- Developing goals and targets
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