The HSRC cordially invites you to join our webinar on Motivational Interviewing (MI) counselling and its application in health behaviour change interventions. MI is an evidence-based, patient-centred style of counselling that has been applied in diverse behavioural interventions including diet and physical activity, substance use, and medical adherence. It is designed to enhance one’s intrinsic motivation to change behaviour by exploring and resolving ambivalence or doubt to change. Participants are encouraged to reflect on and express their personal reasons for and against change, how their current behaviour aligns with their life goals or core values, and explore possible plans for making change.

Our key speaker is Prof. Ken Resnicow, from the University of Minnesota, a globally recognised expert in MI. His work over the past three decades has focused on designing and evaluating health behaviour change programs in diverse public health settings, with a large focus on addressing health disparities in underserved populations. His more recent work includes e-health technologies for tailored personalised interventions. He has trained over 1000 health professionals in MI and technology-driven health interventions.

Secondly, Dr Ronel Sewpaul, will describe the application of MI in the Teen Mom Connect intervention targeted at improving antenatal care and health behaviours among pregnant adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. The intervention sent tailored mobile health messages to participants, and MI counselling was used to supplement the mHealth component.

Speakers:

Professor Ken Resnicow Division of Epidemiology & Community Health University of Minnesota

Dr Ronel Sewpaul Public Health, Societies and Belonging Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Event Date: 25 March 2026

Event Time: 15:00 – 17:00

Event Venue: Online      

Registration Link: https://events.hsrc.ac.za/event.php?id=4VUg

Email Enquiries: yshean@hsrc.ac.za