How to Use “Ask-Offer-Ask” as a Brief Motivational Interviewing Intervention
Difficult conversations — with clients as well as with other professionals — is one of the challenges we contend with in the treatment field. Fortunately, there is an established practice we can use to turn these conversations into effective methods for motivating change. This training introduces Ask-Offer-Ask (AOA), a structured way to have successful conversations in moments of uncertainty, tension, and decision-making. It’s a simple, powerful technique that helps you:
- Share your expertise in a way that people can actually hear and use
- Avoid getting caught in cycles of over-explaining, justifying, or debating
- Guide people toward decisions that work for them—without pressure, force, or exhaustion
- Navigate moments of frustration, disengagement, or emotional overwhelm with clarity and purpose
AOA is especially useful for brief interactions—those real-world moments when time is limited but your words still need to have a lasting impact. This training offers a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity rather than theoretical instruction. Participants engage with real-world scenarios drawn from their own work and learn from the shared experiences of person-centered helpers.
If you’ve ever left a conversation feeling like you couldn’t reach the person in the way you needed to, this training is for you. Prior experience with motivational interviewing techniques is not required for participation.
Interactive Follow-Up Meeting
Attendees are invited to join an open discussion 15 minutes following the end of the training, where you can engage with fellow attendees by turning on your camera and microphone. This is an opportunity to share your experiences and contribute to a meaningful exchange of ideas. Time will be allocated to address questions or insights from the training. Please note that attendance is optional and will not affect your eligibility for a training certificate.
1) Explain how conversations get stuck, and what professionals can do next
2) Use AOA to share information, facilitate decision-making, and guide conversations in a manner that avoids making people feel lectured, talked down to, or forced into something
3) Explain common traps that helpers fall into when trying to get people on board with a plan or suggested course of action
4) Describe how to use the structure of AOA in moments of uncertainty, stress, and emotional overload to maintain productive dialog
Audience
This training is designed for person-centered helpers working in community mental health, direct service, casework, crisis response, advocacy, peer support, and related fields. Prior experience with motivational interviewing is not necessary, as AOA is a technique that can be applied immediately by professionals from diverse backgrounds.
Content Level
Disclosure
Cancellations
Continuing Education Approval
American Psychological Association (APA)
Safer Society Foundation, Inc. is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Safer Society Foundation, Inc. maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Who's Presenting
Alexander Waitt, LPC, MS, MSEd
Alex Waitt is a licensed professional counselor and a long-time trainer in Motivational Interviewing. He co-authored Ask-Offer-Ask: Bringing Motivational Interviewing to Life in Child Welfare and has been a MINT member since 2014. His work focuses on practical, real-world applications of MI and communication strategies, ensuring that professionals across different fields can integrate evidence-based techniques into their everyday work.
Sarah Cameron, MS, CTTS, NBC-HWC
Sarah Cameron is a nationally board-certified health and wellness coach, a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist Trainer, and a MINT member since 2022. She specializes in helping professionals translate communication skills into action, ensuring that Motivational Interviewing concepts are not just learned but applied effectively in real-world interactions.