UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN-MADISON

Establishing a Foundation for Motivational Interviewing Skills

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Upcoming dates (3)

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For registration assistance: 608-262-2451

Schedule

2 live sessions; Tuesday, Sep. 29 & Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026; 9 a.m.–noon CT

Registration through: September 24, 2026

All times shown in central time.

Format

Live online

Fee

$199

Instructor

Sue EckMaahs

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancel three full business days before the class starts and receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee.
  • Cancel less than three business days beforehand, or do not participate, you remain responsible for the entire fee.

Summary

This highly interactive introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI), offered over two days (a three-hour live webinar each day), provides the 'what' and 'why' behind this highly sought, evidence-based skill for helping people change and grow. You will build a solid foundation for understanding the 'how' of MI, practice the fundamentals and create a plan to continue your MI skills development. MI is learned over time, with ongoing instruction, practice and feedback. This course is strongly recommended for those who are new to MI or have had limited training, and it serves as a helpful precursor to the Building MI Competency Certificate course offered by the UW–Madison Division of Continuing Studies. If you already have some MI knowledge and skills, consider participating in the Building MI Competency Certificate.

Overview

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
  • Differentiate between directing, following, and guiding approaches and describe why a guiding approach is most effective for those struggling with issues of personal change and growth.
  • Explain the spirit of MI and the roles of change talk and intentional active listening skills as key concepts in MI conversations.
  • Apply MI skills through practice and optional self-reflection activity.
Learner Level: Beginner

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Earn Continuing Education Hours

By participating in this class you will earn:

Instructional Hours 6
University of Wisconsin Continuing Education Units .6
American Psychological Association - Continuing Education Credit 6
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Substance Abuse Counselors - Continuing Education Credit Hours 6
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Marriage and Family Therapists - Continuing Education Credit Hours 6
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Social Workers - Continuing Education Credit Hours 6
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - Licensed Professional Counselors 6

Explanation of Continuing Education Hours

Upcoming dates (3)

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Program Questions?

Contact Katie Holt at katie.holt@wisc.edu

Registration Questions?

Email registration@cerc.wisc.edu or call 608-262-2451.

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Meet your instructors

Sue EckMaahs

Suzanne (Sue) EckMaahs has been a highly active member of the international MINT Network (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) for 18 years, serving as a Trainer of new MINT Trainers, conference/pre-conference presenter, and active committee member. She has practiced and trained MI for over 30 years. With an educational background in sociology, she initially served individuals returning from incarceration while practicing direct service, restorative justice, evidence-based program management, & staff supervision.

Sarah Cameron, MS, CTTS, NBC-HWC

MS, CTTS, NBC-HWC

Sarah Cameron grew up in Wisconsin and last year founded Igniting Change Collaborative – a motivational interviewing training academy. She’s been obsessed with and immersed in motivational interviewing for over 13 years and is a member of the prestigious Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). She’s also a Tobacco Treatment Specialist Trainer, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and a co-author of a handful of motivational interviewing books. Sarah specializes in helping healthcare professionals, social workers, interventionists, and anyone else who works with people on behavior change to sharpen their motivational interviewing skills. Her goal is to help them guide conversations that lead to genuine, self-driven change rooted in compassion and partnership. As an experienced online classroom facilitator, she’s led two-weeks-long onboarding trainings and continually crafts short workshops on everything from positive psychology to imposter syndrome to the spirit of MI. Sarah brings radical candor to her workshops, offering strengths-based feedback that challenges participants to stretch, grow, and find alignment with their values.