EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Mobilizing “Learning
to Learn”: How do
we ignite the spark?
Jonathan Lofgren & Sue EckMaahs
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Session Objectives
A glance at the literature
How can we facilitate “learning-to-learn”?
Introduction to a “learning-to-learn”
model
A “Taste of Coaching” – (interactive
coaching session activity)
Group input, insights, etc.
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
What does the literature tell
us?
For initial training dose, a workshop is necessary; tapes and reading are not enough.
Initial dose should be 10 hours or more.
The workshop alone is not enough for proficiency – return to “baseline” within 4 months.
Miller, Yahne, Moyers, Martinez, Pirritano-2004, Miller & Moyers - 2006
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
What DOES work? Post-workshop skill practice!
For example:
Follow-up coaching sessions emphasizing skill
practice.
Individual coaching which includes role play or real
play and feedback.
Audio-tape review and feedback/consultation.
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
What DOES work (cont.)
Advanced skills training.
Booster training.
MI skill practice as standing agenda item for staff
meetings.
Case consultation/staffing including how/when to
use MI.
Other ???
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Facilitating the Process as a
Trainer:
Get “buy-in” for ongoing learning at FRONT end
Build practitioner proficiency and competence through group and/or individual coaching POST workshop
Build organizational capacity for supporting & sustaining MI
Develop internal mentors/coaches
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
What we’ve done so far…
In response to identified needs within several agencies* in the Midwest, EckMaahs & Associates developed a group coaching model & curriculum based on the 8-stages of learning MI…
* Agencies represented to date include MH, CH, DD, and Corrections providers.
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Eight Stages in Learning MI
1. The SPIRIT of MI
2. OARS – client-centered counseling skills
3. Recognizing and reinforcing change talk
4. Eliciting and strengthening change talk
5. Rolling with Resistance
6. Developing a Change Plan
7. Consolidating client commitment
8. Shifting flexibly between MI and other
methods ~ Miller & Moyers, 2006
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Suggested Implementation Steps
for “learning-to-learn model”…
BEFORE initial MI workshop(s), educate
agencies about need for ongoing learning
and building internal practitioner support,
skill-building capacity, and sustenance.
Initiate collaborative process:
Stakeholder meetings & education
Continuum-of-leaning planning in advance
of initial workshop
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Implementation Steps (cont.)
Prepare learners:
Pre-workshop reading (brief)
Convey importance of learning-to-learn model
as part of initial workshop
Inform regarding support that will follow
workshop
Begin skills coaching process ASAP after
workshop (keep coaching groups small).
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Implementation Steps (cont.)
Provide specific, individual feedback
during skills practice exercises!
Collect brief feedback from participants
@ each session;
Usefulness on scale of 1-5
Most helpful
Suggestions for improvement
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Implementation Steps (cont.)
Begin to identify internal MI “stars” as potential future MI coaches
Initiate first audio-tape coding/feedback process around session # 3
Mentor internal coaches
Help agency identify & organize around additional coaching/training needs
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Sample Coaching Circle
Exercises!
From Session 4: Change Talk
FIRST = EARS Exercise (Moyers/Miller)
Objective: To practice effectively responding to
change talk.
SECOND = “Play Your Card!” Exercise (EckMaahs)
Objective: 1. To practice integrating responding to
change talk with evoking change talk by using a
variety of strategies. 2. Minimizing sustain talk.
EckMaahs & Associates, LLC
Play your Card!
Groups of 4 or 6.
Sit in a circle with the ECT cards spread
out on a table or floor in the center of the
circle.
Speaker starts with a brief statement
about something they are considering
changing – include change talk AND
sustain talk.
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Play your Card!
Person to right of speaker does a REFLECTION or AFFIRMATION of the CHANGE TALK.
Speaker responds naturally.
Next person uses one of the ECT cards – then takes it “out of play”.
Speaker responds naturally.
Next person does a REFLECTION or AFFIRMATION.
Continue this pattern around the circle once again – last person does a SUMMARY.
Now start over again with the next speaker. Use only the ECT cards that are left!