Reviewing Key Takeaways from the Course

Now that you’ve completed the Motivational Interviewing (MI) training, it’s time to review the core concepts and reflect on what you’ve learned. This final lesson will reinforce key takeaways and help you prepare to apply MI in your peer support work.

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💡 Key Insight: MI is not about getting peers to change—it’s about creating a supportive space where they feel empowered to explore change on their own terms.

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🔹 Key MI Principles & Techniques
✔ The Spirit of MI – Collaboration, Autonomy, Acceptance, and Empathy.
✔ OARS Skills – Open-Ended Questions, Affirmations, Reflective Listening, and Summaries.
✔ The Four Processes of MI – Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning.
✔ Change Talk vs. Sustain Talk – Recognizing readiness for change.
✔ Strengthening Motivation & Self-Efficacy – Helping peers build confidence in their ability to change.
✔ Commitment & Planning – Supporting peers in taking meaningful action.

💡 Pro Tip: Effective MI conversations are guided, not forced—peers should feel in control of their own change process.

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🔹 Applying MI in Peer Support Conversations
✔ Reflect on Your Growth – What MI skills do you feel most confident using?
✔ Identify Areas for Improvement – What aspects of MI do you want to strengthen?
✔ Set Personal MI Goals – How will you incorporate MI into your peer support work?
✔ Plan for Real-World Application – Think of situations where MI can be most useful.

💡 Pro Tip: MI is a skill that improves with practice—the more you use it, the more natural it will become.

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🔹 Key Takeaways
✔ MI is a person-centered, evidence-based approach that aligns with peer support values.
✔ Effective MI conversations focus on engagement, motivation, and self-efficacy.
✔ Change happens when peers feel empowered, not pressured.
✔ MI is most effective when it is practiced consistently in real-world conversations.

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📌 Next Step: Take the Knowledge Check for this Topic, then move on to the next Topic!