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In this engaging 2-hour interactive virtual workshop, participants will explore how themes, characters, and music from The Wizard of Oz can be used as memorable metaphors to introduce and deepen understanding of Motivational Interviewing (MI). By weaving together storytelling, music, and experiential reflection, this session offers a creative, fresh and accessible way to reinforce core MI concepts while maintaining fidelity to the spirit and principles of MI. Music and metaphor provide powerful pathways for learning, insight, and retention. Participants will engage in guided listening and optional sing-along moments (including Somewhere Over the Rainbow) to explore change talk, values, and hope, while reflecting on how metaphor can be used intentionally in MI-consistent practice and training. As we “follow the yellow brick road,” this session balances creativity with rigor, offering practical connections to real-world clinical, supervisory, and training contexts. With your purchase, you will receive 240 days of on-demand access to watch and revisit every session at your own pace. This program will not offer Continuing Education (CEs).

What you'll learn

Describe how metaphor and music can support learning and engagement in MI practice and training

Recognize examples of change talk and sustain talk using metaphor-based illustrations

Reflect on how creative approaches can be used ethically and intentionally while maintaining MI fidelity

Important notice: This program will be hosted live on Zoom. To protect the integrity and confidentiality of the learning space, no recording or redistribution is authorized. Participants are expected to attend the live session in full. Participants will have access to the recording for 240 days to watch at their own pace.

Meet the speaker

Sylvie Spirou

California, USA

Sylvie was first introduced to Motivational Interviewing in 2013. It was love at first sight! She had just gotten hired as a Health & Wellness Coach for Northern CA Kaiser Permanente, and part of the on-boarding included Motivational Interviewing training. Having spent years as a Clinical Nutritionist specializing in healthy weight, she had come to realize that education alone often wasn't enough to support people in changing their habits. MI was the missing piece of the puzzle! The more she learned, the more she has been able to let go of the responsibility of others' change process while witnessing the magical transformations that MI practice can draw out. She joined MINT in 2020 and became a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBCHWC) in 2021. She practiced MI based wellness coaching for Northern CA Kaiser Permanente for 9 years and in 2021, she began training and supervising other Health & Wellness Coaches. Sylvie holds a Master's in Holistic Health Education with a Specialization in Addiction Studies. She lives in the CA Bay Area with her husband, two boys, and two dogs and enjoys being outside, singing with enthusiasm, and learning about what sparks joy in others.

The Wizard of MI: How Dorothy's Adventure in Oz can Teach us About Motivational Interviewing

What you'll learn

Meet the speaker

Sylvie Spirou