Outcomes of Incorporating Motivational Interviewing Into Basic Counselor Skills Training

Counselor skill training involves learning to execute techniques and principles that facilitate client change. Incorporating motivational interviewing can provide a framework that emphasizes humanism in addition to preparing students to assist clients who are ambivalent about change or “resistant.” In this study, we investigated the degree of MI competency achieved by students when MI was integrated into a counseling skills course. We then examined how MI competency was maintained over time. Findings showed that students achieved competency in executing the MI spirit, and this was largely maintained following subsequent coursework and clinical experiences. Implications include the value of incorporating MI training in a counseling skills course and the need for additional training in MI to maintain gains in competency.