Advanced CBT skills: Working with low motivation and ‘resistance’: integrating motivational interviewing into CBT

event image
Topic
Masterclass Series
Start Date
20 April 2026
End Date
20 April 2026
Start Time
6:45pm for 7:00pm (NSW) start
End Time
9:00pm
Venue
Zoom webinar (live-stream)
Contact Name
AACBT
Contact Phone
N/A
Contact Email
events@aacbt.org.au
Max. Attendees
490
Who Can Register?
Anyone

Motivational interviewing has easy compatibility with CBT and is an essential item in the therapists tool kit, given that motivation will always fluctuate.


Working with low motivation and ‘resistance’: integrating motivational interviewing into CBT

Event 2 of "Advanced CBT skills: a masterclass series"

Please do not book a single event ticket if you have already booked for the series ticket.

Presented by Dr Chris Basten

University of Technology Sydney

This is a series of 8 events, all accessible via Zoom, with 2 hours CPD per event.

Or you may book one or more individual events by clicking through from the descriptions below.

 

 Membership type   Single ticket   Series ticket   All 8 single tickets 
 AACBT Student Member* #   Free   Free   Free 
 AACBT Full Member   $50   $240   $400 - save $160 
 Non-member**   $100   $480   $800 - save $320 

* AACBT Student membership is free to anyone studying, or a provisionally registered psychologist.

# Must book to receive event link/s.

** Join now and save!

Venue:

Zoom webinar

All events are NSW-based time zones

This event is live-streamed - please note that this session will be recorded and made available to those who booked

The access link/s will be provided the day prior to those registered

Book the entire masterclass series ticket here


Motivational interviewing has easy compatibility with CBT and is an essential item in the therapists tool kit, given that motivation will always fluctuate.

This series offers participants bite-size clinical masterclass sessions on eight topics that are common challenges in clinical practice of CBT. Topics include tailoring the individual case formulation, managing the therapeutic relationship, dealing with ‘resistance’ and ambivalence about change, educating clients better, avoiding therapy drift, identifying the cognition that most needs work, increasing the potency of therapy with the right ‘dose’ of behavioural principles and the final session is devoted to preventing and managing burnout. Each session is aimed at clinicians who have a sound working knowledge of CBT principles and techniques. Half of the sessions have co-presenters who have expertise in that area of practice. In addition to some didactic material, training methods include videos of therapy scenarios, group discussion, and opportunities to practice techniques.

  1. Working with low motivation and ‘resistance’: integrating motivational interviewing into CBT – Monday 20 April 2026

This 90-minute masterclass + 30-minute discussion is devoted to advanced skills and problem-solving in administering CBT. It is inevitable that, at certain points in therapy, clients will show their ambivalence for change in one form or another. Motivational interviewing (MI) provides a framework to respond to this ambivalence and is best done when integrated into a therapy process, rather than as a standalone intervention. Participants will have opportunities to see MI demonstrated in videos before practicing their own responses to clinical challenges in the form of a series of vignettes.

 


Key learning objectives:

  1. Understanding the core elements of motivational interviewing (MI) and knowing when to use those techniques.
  2. Developing ways to help clients manage their own motivational fluctuations.
  3. Awareness of methods to guide the therapy conversation back to the process of change once the motivational issues have been the focus. 

This event is hosted by the e-Branch of AACBT.

 


About this series of events:

Each session is 2-hours total: 90-min presentation plus 30-min Q&A / discussion – bring your thoughts and questions!

Access to Zoom link from 6:45pm for a 7:00pm start (NSW).

Please note that although AACBT will be recording this interactive web-based training, participants must agree to the ‘no recording’ policy and join from a private space where confidentiality can be maintained.

 


This series is aimed at clinicians who have a sound working knowledge of CBT principles and techniques.

 


References will include:

 


 

Chris Basten is a Clinical Psychologist with interests in health psychology and eating disorders. He received his master’s in clinical psychology then a PhD from University of Sydney. He worked for 15 years at Westmead Hospital in consultation-liaison psychiatry and the eating disorders unit. He has casual lecturer roles, including at the University of Technology Sydney and University of NSW. For several years now he has focused on his own practice and training health professionals. Chris is an author of the book ‘The Art of CBT’ and has presented some of his research at conferences and has contributed to several peer review articles.

 

Book the entire masterclass series ticket here

Are there any refunds?
Cancellations attract a 25% processing fee. Cancellations within one week of the event attract a 50% processing fee. Cancellations within 24 hours of the event will not be refunded under any circumstances. If you wish to transfer the name of your registration to someone else there is no charge.

How do I get access to the live-stream?
You will be provided with the Zoom link on the day prior to the event - it is your responsibility to ensure that you have Zoom installed and ready to begin.

How many people may attend per ticket/registration?
A registration is for one person. To successfully manage the event, we expect only one person to join the webinar as part of your registration.

May I record the session?
You agree not to record the meeting in any way. You agree not to distribute materials to other persons without prior agreement.

If I book, will I get access to the AACBT recording?

Yes, we will distribute a limited-time access link after the event has concluded.

 


 

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