What is the
Change Conversation
Intro training?
The Change Conversation Intro is an experiential, 2‑hour session that gives you or your team a clear, school‑friendly overview of motivational interviewing (MI) and the stages of change. Instead of abstract theory, you’ll see and practice small shifts to make in tomorrow’s conversations with students, families, and colleagues.
This training session is all about "doing". This means you'll get to experience firsthand what it's like to have motivational interviewing-style conversations and leave with skills to start using the foundational elements in your daily life.
Who this is for
This training is designed for:
It works well as a stand‑alone professional learning session or as the on‑ramp into our 90‑Day Pilot or our full
Change Conversation 5‑Day Training program.
You do not need previous MI experience. This training will provide foundational tools to start using right away.
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Career and technical programs, adult education, and
alternative schools
College and university advisors, counselors, and student success teams
K - 12 educators and support staff
Training outcomes
By the end of the training, you will:
Recognize the MI spirit (partnership, acceptance, compassion, evocation) and how it differs from common “fix‑it” or lecture‑style approaches in schools.
Be able to use basic OARS skills: open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries in short, real‑world conversations with students.
Recognize the stages of change in student language (from “I don’t see a problem” to “I’m ready to try”) and match their responses instead of pushing too fast.
See/hear “two versions” of the same conversation and explain the difference between directive and MI‑aligned responses.
What the session includes
The workshop equips you with essential MI skills, practical strategies, and tools. Participants practice conversations, understand core principles, and leave ready to immediately improve student interactions.
Motivational Interviewing
A clear, non‑jargony overview of MI spirit and OARS in school language.
Stages of Change
The 5 Stages of Change illustrated with real student examples from K–12, college, and adult learner settings.
Demos
Live demonstrations showing how small changes in questions and reflections shift student responses.
Practice
Breakout practice with realistic scenarios from your context (attendance, missing work, behavior, probation, re‑enrollment).
Tools
Simple, take‑home tools: an MI cheat sheet, a Stages of Change quick guide, and a conversation swap handout.
Upcoming dates
If you're interested in reserving a spot, please click "Enroll" next to your desired date. If you're interested in enrolling two or more people, please contact us at the link below.
Upcoming Dates
We offer this training frequently. These are the most up-to-date calendars. If you don't see a date that works for you or your team, please contact us so we can discuss custom options.