Motivational Interviewing Skills Trainer (MIST) Workshops


Location & Dates TBD.

Available for private onsite delivery



 *Pre-requisite - Mi: Core Skills plus MI: Advanced Skills or equivalent experience required

** A minimum of 15 to 60 days of practice and coaching is required between sessions 1 & 2

Program Details

This training is designed to help agencies develop in-house staff on Motivational Interviewing (MI) training and development skills.  Development of in-house training staff on these skills insures staff continues to receive the development and reinforcement needed to grow in the use of the skills.  

Research on Motivational Interviewing demonstrates that initial mass trainings to learn the method does not create sustainable excellence in practice.  In fact the research demonstrates that ongoing feedback from audio coding, along with periodic refresher training and coaching is the most effective way to achieve and maintain high fidelity of practice.  As a result it is highly recommended that agencies engage a MINT instructor or train their own in-house trainers as well as their supervisory teams on Motivational Interviewing skills to provide periodic refreshers and to coach and give feedback.  The research shows that without these activities many practitioners and agencies say they are practicing Motivational Interviewing but when reviewed are at very low fidelity with matching outcomes.

The Motivational Interviewing Skills Trainer (MIST) training course is designed to help participants who have completed the basic and advanced courses to obtain competence to conduct MI training to others.  Prospective trainers are required to complete MI: Core Skills and MI: Advanced Skills courses.  Years of MI skills on the job may also serve to meet the advanced skills requirement .   Also, they must be individuals who are achieving high scores in fidelity scoring.  Prospective Trainers will ideally present themselves as comfortable and confident in a training presentation venue.  Experience as a trainer or educator would be extremely helpful.

The Center for MI Training program, Motivational Interviewing Skills Trainer (MIST) is a leading MI skills training resource available for training and developing future trainers.  These trainers can provide the periodic trainings and refreshers as well as coach and give feedback.

The MIST program at Joyfields Institute Center for Motivational Interviewing Training & Staff Development is conducted in two 3-day sessions.  

MIST candidates must participate in both MIST sessions to graduate. 

MIST Session-1 (1st 3-Days)

• Review MI Fundamentals, Strategies and Techniques

• Examine MI Practice

• Completion of a Video assessment of simulated encounters-revised

• Basic Instruction Techniques

** 15 to 60 days of practice and coaching between session-I & session-II

MIST Session-II (Final 3-Day Session)

• How MI is Learned/Taught

• Lesson Planning

• Submit & Review Lesson Plan

• Teach/Deliver Plan w/ Scoring

• MIST Certificate of Completion Issued

Who should attend:

Staff with an interest or responsibility for Motivational Interviewing training.

Intra-agency, independent trainers and professionals in;

  • Behavioral and Mental Healthcare
  • Social Workers & Substance Abuse Counselors, Preventive Care Professionals
  • Community Services Organizations, Services Providers Program Directors and Executives
  • Pre-Release Specialist Adult and Juvenile Case Managers, Supervisors and Managers
  • Probation Officers, Supervisors and Managers
  • Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Therapists
  • Housing Administrators and Resident population managers
  • Veteran's Administration Professionals
  • Pastoral counselors
  • Court Administrators

    • PROGRAM FACULTY - Designated Joyfields Institute MINT Instructor

    Speakers subject to change without notice