Mastering the Principles of Motivational Interviewing
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
9:00 am – 5:30 pm (USA Eastern Time)
Live Streaming
One day prior to the start of Lifestyle Medicine, on June 10, 2026, you can attend the optional pre-course workshop, Mastering the Principles of Motivational Interviewing. Motivational Interviewing has emerged as one of the most critical and effective evidence-based approaches when working with patients to promote behavior change. In this intensive one-day workshop, participants learn and practice state-of-the-art principles and methods for motivational interviewing to improve patient outcomes.
9:00 to 9:30 am
Welcome and Overview: The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing - Joji Suzuki, MD
9:30 to 10:20 am
Engaging: OARS Skills - Abby Altman, PhD
- Open-ended questions
- Affirmations
- Reflections
- Summaries
10:20 to 10:40 am
Small Group Practice
10:40 to 10:50 am
Exercise Debriefing - All Faculty
10:50 to 11:05 am Break
11:05 to 11:30 am
Focusing - Claudia Rodriguez, MD
- Agenda setting
- Ask-tell-ask
11:30 to 11:40 am
Small Group Practice
11:40 to 11:45 am
Exercise Debriefing - All Faculty
11:45 am to 12:30 pm Break
12:30 to 1:35 pm
Evoking - Susan Larrabee, LICSW
- Strengthening internal motivation
- Change talk and sustain talk
1:35 to 1:55 pm
Small Group Practice
1:55 to 2:10 pm Break
2:10 to 2:45 pm
Discord - John Rodolico, PhD
- Rolling with resistance
2:45 to 3:05 pm
Small Group Practice
3:05 to 3:10 pm
Exercise Debriefing - All Faculty
3:10 to 3:40 pm
Planning - Reuben Hendler, MD
- MI consistent action planning
3:40 to 3:50 pm Break
3:50 to 5:00 pm
Bringing It Together - Susan Larrabee LICSW
- Practice exercise
- Exercise debriefing
- Video demonstration of MI
- 10-minute debrief
5:00 to 5:20 pm
Q & A - All Faculty
5:20 to 5:30 pm
Workshop Wrap-up - All Faculty