At Care Compass, Motivational Interviewing (MI) has always been more than a training. It has been a shared commitment to meet people where they are, to honor their stories, and to support individuals and families through some of life’s most difficult moments. Over the years, MI has shaped how our teams connect, listen, and walk beside the communities we serve. It has strengthened relationships across our Social Care Network and Open Network partners, and it has helped us build a culture rooted in dignity, compassion, and human connection.
In 2026, we are taking that journey even deeper.
We are incredibly grateful to be partnering with A Purpose For Life and welcoming Lisa Ardner as our lead Motivational Interviewing facilitator for the coming year. Lisa brings a rare combination of skill, heart, and grounded presence into every room she enters. Her approach to MI is invitational, experiential, and deeply respectful of each learner’s pace. With her guidance, we are expanding the way MI is taught, practiced, and lived throughout our network, creating a richer and more supportive experience for everyone who participates.
Lisa describes the two pathways she will be guiding us through this year, each intentionally designed to meet learners where they are.
Her MI Foundations (Basic) course helps participants build or lovingly refresh the core skills that sit at the heart of Motivational Interviewing. Through an exploration of MI Spirit PACE, the OARS skills, and foundational tools such as Readiness Rulers, the Fixing Reflex, and the MI Tasks, learners develop a strong and grounded understanding of what it means to engage someone in a meaningful change conversation. This training is also fully aligned with the newest edition of Motivational Interviewing Helping People Change and Grow Miller and Rollnick, 2023, giving both new and returning learners an updated and evidence supported starting place. MI Foundations is gentle, accessible, and confidence building, designed to help participants rediscover the power of simple and compassionate conversations.
For those who already have familiarity with MI, Lisa will also be teaching MI Intermediate, a more practice intensive experience that helps learners bring greater precision, skill, and confidence to their work. Participants will engage deeply with tools like DARN CAT, complex affirmations and reflections, Ask Offer Ask, and approaches for navigating ambivalence, sustain talk, and discord. This course is about strengthening the muscles of MI and understanding not just what to do, but how to do it with intention, humility, and skill. It is the next step on a journey toward deeper authenticity and connection in our work with others.
Both courses reflect something essential about the year ahead: our desire to invest in learning that brings people together, strengthens relationships, and supports the emotional well being of our communities. Motivational Interviewing is not simply a technique. It is a way of being with people, a way of listening for possibility, and a way of holding space for change. As we step into this expanded MI experience, guided by Lisa and A Purpose For Life, we are reaffirming our belief that every person deserves to feel heard, respected, and empowered.
This year, we are not just teaching MI. We are elevating it. We are nurturing a community of helpers who approach conversations with curiosity, compassion, and deep care. And together, we will continue strengthening the supportive and human centered network that Care Compass is known for.
Here is to a year of learning, growth, and meaningful conversations, one connection at a time.