HMA Blog
Working with passion and integrity to bring out the best in people
Videos of presentations from ISMI 2013 availableOpen source and rendering practice ideas visible have always been important to us at HMA. We therefore decided as part of the hosting group for the 3rd International Symposium on […]
3rd International Symposium on Motivational InterviewingWhat happens when you put a bunch of people who are passionate about change in a room together? Rich conversations, presentations and enhancing practice, thats what. That was the feel […]
Stephen Rollnick – down underWe have been privileged over the past week to have Professor Stephen Rollnick visit New Zealand and run three workshops on motivational interviewing. The respect for Stephen’s work in developing MI […]
No To Violence Conference Resources now availableThe No To Violence Conference on Responses to Men’s Domestic and Family Violence: Experience, Innovations and Emerging Directions, was held in Melbourne during November 2012. This was one of the best conferences […]
Motivational interviewing in health care – an interview by Mark Wallace BellI indicated in our last newsletter that over the next few months we would be putting up on line a number of motivational interviewing sessions that model the diversity and […]
Meeting in the middle: motivational interviewing and self-determination theoryThe following article by William R Miller and Stephen Rollnick from the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2012,9:25 explores the relationship between motivational interviewing (MI) and self […]
Great response to Dr Stephen Rollnick’s visit to New ZealandAre we there yet – well we are very close to filling the numbers we have set for Dr Rollnick’s visit to New Zealand in May. It is not very […]
What kills more women aged …What kills more women aged 15 – 44 each year than malaria, HIV, cancer, accidents and war combined? You guessed it – violence. I was therefore incensed when I read […]
Updated details on ISMI 2013 Melbourne May 2013Interest is now building for the Third International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing which is being held in Melbourne in May 2013. This will provide a rare opportunity to meet and […]
Motivational interviewing – an interview where Ian talks with RickyOver the next couple of months we will be putting up on line much of the MI DVD that we developed here in New Zealand last year. The DVD has […]
Back to school – not quiteNext week will see me back in the classroom working alongside third year social work students at CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology) exploring the issue of how social policy […]
Child protection and MI – results from the NSW projectUtilising motivational interviewing spirit and processes within child protection is designed to engage parents in overcoming obstacles in keeping children safe. As reported previously in our December blog, the Practice […]
Registrations now open for the 3rd International Symposium on Motivational InterviewingISMI offers a rare opportunity to engage with the latest thinking, challenges and opportunities in Motivational Interviewing and the broader field of effective communication and behaviour change. The event offers […]
Motivational interviewing and internalised other questionsLately I have been contemplating the importance of ‘internalised other questions’ in developing motivation for change. While some may argue that this is relying on extrinsic motivation, in my view […]
International Award for NZ Probation – well doneI picked up this story in the latest Corrections News. You will see our connection with it at the end. Late last year New Zealand Corrections received the International Corrections […]
3rd International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing – Melbourne May 2013Fancy a trip in May to the lovely city of Melbourne? Last year HMA hosted the 2nd International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing in Auckland which was a great success. This […]
My seven most effective engaging questionsWe all know the importance of engagement for successful intervention with people experiencing difficult and challenging behaviour. How easy is it to get off to a wrong start with somebody? […]
Motivational Interviewing in Groups – in our bookshop nowA unique clinical resource, this book shows how to infuse the methods and spirit of motivational interviewing (MI) into group-based interventions. The authors demonstrate how the four processes of MI […]
Dr. Stephen Rollnick visit to New Zealand in May 2013 – Mark your diary now!We are delighted to let you know that HMA will be hosting a three city visit to New Zealand with Dr Stephen Rollnick, who along with Dr. William Miller developed the […]
Major Justice Canada study puts big price tag on spousal violenceOver the Xmas I found this interesting piece of current research reported on by Dean Beeby from THE CANADIAN PRESS. He reported on a major federal investigation into the cost of spousal […]
PACCOA 2013 conference Alice Springs 23rd – 25th October – Call for papersI have been a supporter of PACCOA (Probation and Community Correctional Officers’ Association) for many years, having attended and presented at a number of their conferences. This Australian based association […]
Motivational interviewing and child protection – the fitImagine someone knocks on your door and wants to talk with you about how you are treating your children. Part of you knows that lately you have not been managing […]
A personal message from KenI wanted you, who have been our loyal supporters, to be aware of what has been happening at HMA over the past 18 months. Why? Because you are important to […]
Re-solution in men’s violence against women and childrenI attended the No To Violence Conference in Melbourne last week which was a rich experience of sharing, hearing and grappling with the challenges of creating safety in the lives […]
Stand to deliver and sit to processI recently had an email from a colleague in Queensland inquiring about a piece of advice I had given some years during a training session on group facilitation. Two thoughts […]
Supporting cutting edge child protection – Practice First NSWPractice First, is a new model for child protection service delivery in New South Wales. Since March 2012, the Practice First model has been operating in Bathurst-Mudgee Community Service’s Centres […]
Living Well – check this outAs you know I have been a supporter of the work of Living Well, a Queensland based service working with men who have been sexually abused. To promote sexual violence […]
What’s in a typology and what are the hooksOn Saturday I had the please of listening to Michael Johnson, Associate Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Women’s Studies, and African and African American Studies at Pennsylvania State University, who was […]
December Level 2 Motivational Interviewing Course – places still availableBuilding on the latest thinking from Miller and Rollnick, this workshop is open to people who have had previous training and real life practice with MI. In the absence of […]
Perth DCS Evaluation Data – looks pretty good to usIn an earlier blog I talked about the L&D work we had been delivering in Perth throughout September. This incorporated a range of workshops including: case formulation group work […]
Getting the most out of therapyIt is easy for us in the helping professions to forget what it is like for people coming to therapy for the first time. I have always believed in the […]
Family violence programmes goes open sourceTwo years ago HMA brought together representatives of key family violence provider groups from around New Zealand/Aotearoa to talk about what should be included in a contemporary intervention for men […]
Motivational Interviewing in Groups – a new publication on its wayFor those who attended the Motivational Symposium in Auckland, New Zealand (March 2012), you will remember the great presentation by Chris Wagner on adapting MI to group interventions. Chris and […]
3 day training in Motivational Interviewing – Hong KongWant a trip to Hong Kong in January? Dr William Miller is running a New Directions in Motivational Interviewing (2-day workshop) which is focused on the clinical method of Motivational Interviewing for […]
Breaking news – Now available Motivational Interviewing 3rd edition – Helping People ChangeWe are pleased to announce that early next week that we will be receiving the first shipment of the new Motivational Interviewing (3rd Edition) into the HMA Bookshop. We have […]
Way out West – reflections from WAWhen you have the privilege of working with the same team of people over a period of several years, you see practice shifts and change in exciting ways. This has […]
50 ways to say no to abusive behaviour within relationshipsI have finally found time over the past few weeks to get this new book out the door. My last self-help book, Feeling Angry, Playing Fair is now out of print […]
Christchurch CBD – the destruction before the rebuild1,300 buildings down in the CBD, 300 more to go. This is the story of the CBD in the garden city. As the photo (taken on Friday 7 September) attests, […]
Three phases to enhance completion of interventionsCompletion rates for community based programmes for a range of issues are often low (between 30 – 35% for AoD and community based stopping violence programmes) while completion rates for […]
Accountability based practice – setting up a family conversationIn last week’s blog I talked about the concept of accountability based practice that I used as the basis of my address to the recent Violence Against Women conference in […]
Show us the moneyMany of you will be acutely aware of the frustrations that we have experienced over the past 18 months trying to settle with our insurers regarding Westpark Towers. Two things […]
Reducing recidivism rates among young offendersCurrent literature around young offenders and recidivism rates has shown that in NZ there is a core group of young offenders that continue to reoffend despite going through the youth […]
Accountability based practice – What does it look like?Last week I had the honour of being asked to present at the Violence Against Women Conference: An Inconvenient Reality, in Brisbane. I told the audience that we can be […]
Motivational Interviewing e-learning course goes liveWe indicated earlier in the year that we had been working on an e-learning Motivational Interviewing course. We are now proud to launch this for practitioners who want to develop […]
MI DVD gets great responseWe have been mightily pleased with the great response we have had to the new MI DVD we recently launched. We have therefore decided to put more of it online […]
‘Let’s talk…’ Poster/Visual Media CompetitionLiving Well (Australia) and 1in6 (USA) are asking for your assisting to promote and contribute to the ‘Let’s talk…’ Poster/Visual Media Competition. The ‘Let’s talk…’ competition invites artists, graphic […]
CarboNZero – our storyWe have been members of the CarboNZero programme for the past five years. Last Thursday we were pleased to host Richard Gordon (Acting CEO Landcare), Landcare CarboNZero team, along with […]
Motivational Interviewing DVD now availableAfter many months of hard work our new motivational Interviewing DVD is now available. This 420 minute learning resource provides a starting point in understanding the underlying theory and practice of […]
What are we teaching our sons (and daughters) about being good men?If I ask a group of men, “Where did you guys learn about how to act as an adult?”, they are likely to answer, “The family.” They are absolutely correct. […]
Battered man syndrome cuts jail sentenceMy eye caught an article by Victoria Robinson in the Sunday Star Times (17 June 2012) about Toa Tuau, 31, who was sentenced to five years and six months in prison […]
10 ways to structure group reflectionHave you ever been in a group situation, the session finishes and you haven’t had the chance to close off the experience, capture your thinking and consider what difference the […]
Are we there yet – almostI know it seems like this is taking forever, but as they say good things take time. We are really pleased with the rich material demonstrating MI from a range […]
Motivating for change – the place of the working allianceOver the past three days Nev Trainor and myself have had the pleasure of updating Practice Leaders from the New Zealand Community Probation Service on the latest thinking around motivational […]
Motivational Interviewing (3rd edition) out soonIt is nearly here. The third edition of Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd edition) by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick is due for release from Guilford Press in October […]
10 ideas in responding to resistanceEver felt you were in the hot-seat when talking about challenging issues? I am sure that many of the people we work with find this a really tough assignment – […]
10 helpful qualities for rebuilding futuresI look out my window (from our temporary Ferrymead office) as a four story apartment block next door is demolished. My office actually looks onto the back of the building […]
10 reasons for resistanceIn the last blog I discussed resistance to change being a product of the position taken by the counsellor. In this blog I want to explore the myriad of issues […]
Resistance to change – does it exist?Resistance is a word that gets bandied around a lot in relation to client work. I often hear people talking about how resistant their client is, resistance of the client […]
9 things a trusted friend won’t tell youI have been thinking recently about a dear friend of mine who died a while back. It was the anniversary of his death recently and at this time of the […]
New MI DVD in post productionWe are excited to have nearly completed post production on our motivational interviewing two-set DVD. We have been fortunate to have captured rich footage of clinicians doing MI along with key […]
From Ken’s Desk April 2012It is amazing that we are now at the end of the first quarter of 2012. Since we came back from the Christmas holidays and summer break our HMA training […]
Integrated Practice Framework – NZ Department of CorrectionsJust under three years ago a consortium of HMA and Able Training began work on training design for the rollout of the integrated practice framework. This has been one of […]
40 effective facilitation strategiesIt is my belief that it is the small things that happen within a group setting that make the difference. Noticing someone, helping a person to realise something not pleasant […]
5 ways to build emotional literacy through using Feeling Face CardsFor many years we have been using these very cool Feeling Face Cards in our group work. We have also been finding ways to integrate their use within the design […]
6 ways to get greater group involvementHave you ever had a passive group of learners who have been told to turn up rather than self-selecting into the learning opportunity? Or the energy in the group of […]
The six cornerstones of motivationLast week HMA hosted the International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing: Beyond an Effect Size: Innovations in Thinking & Practice in Auckland, New Zealand. Besides being a rich opportunity to share […]
Understanding programme drop-out from family violence programmesAll of us working in the area of family violence intervention are acutely aware of the issue of attrition from programmes. I know that I often worry about the safety […]
Motivational interviewing – the tension pointsAttending the International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing: Beyond an Effect Size: Innovations in Thinking & Practice, was such a stimulating experience that it got me thinking about where MI sits […]
Making the most of the time we haveRemember Robin Williams in the film ‘Dead Poets Society’. Robin Williams plays a teacher with a great thirst for life who encourages his student through the rallying cry “carpe diem” […]
10 ideas to stretch a groupAsking a group to take ownership over their learning is the key to managing growth, developing cohesion and dealing with challenging behaviour. I have always been interested in finding creative […]
Is social competence a pre-requisite for group participation?I wrote in a chapter some years ago that, “Being a member of a group, like our gender, class, or ethnicity, is such an integral aspect of our lives that […]
20 strategies for successful facilitationThe art of facilitation is complex. Have you ever found yourself running late, not having things properly prepared, or you don’t have a good feel for the content. I think […]
Can men who use abusive practices really change?Don has been struggling with abusive behaviour all of his life. He was adopted at birth into a family who treated him badly.In this family he saw and experienced it […]
9 ways to keep group members engagedEver had the feeling that the group is not with you? They are physical present but their heads seem somewhere else? I imagine that if you have been running groups […]
8 ways to learn names of group membersYou are about to start a group. People start to arrive and you check them off your list. Apart from the person who came early while you are getting ready, […]
5 reasons to mandate guys to DV programsI worry about some of the debates that are occurring at the moment in the family violence arena. Unless we are very careful we can roll back the hard earned […]
Welcome to Ken’s blogThanks for stopping by. I have been working in the human services for a fair while, particularly in the area of abusive practices such as family violence, sexual offending and […]
From Ken’s desk January 2012We have finally found a new home, after ten months of looking, being ‘pipped at the post’ by bigger companies with more financial muscle, and not being able to afford […]
Our Public Training CalendarWe have been providing professional development to various organisations and individuals since 1985. Locating our work in evidenced based practice has ensured that we are current with our thinking which […]
Living Well Art CompetitionLate last year I was in Brisbane and visited with Dr Gary Foster, Manager of Spiritus Sexual Assault Services. Gary has long been a strong advocate for men who have […]
Motivational Interviewing SymposiumBeyond an Effect Size: Innovations in Thinking & Practice 7-9 March 2012, Auckland, New Zealand We are having a fantastic response to this event from both within New Zealand and […]
Western Australia always a wonderful experienceRecently we took our team back to Perth to support the program work undertaken by WA Department of Corrective Services. During this trip we were able to trial a number […]
From Ken’s desk October 2011It is amazing to see we are now well into the final quarter of 2011. Since the disruption of the February 22 earthquake in Christchurch and subsequent aftershocks (they remind […]
The Singapore Motivational Interviewing ExperienceDr Joel Porter I remember it like it happened yesterday. I had been invited to provide a Motivational Interviewing (MI) workshop in Singapore. I told a Pakeha colleague about […]
Motivational Interviewing SymposiumBeyond an Effect Size: Innovations in Thinking & Practice 7-9 March 2012 Auckland, New Zealand Enrolments are now open for the second International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing (ISMI). The event […]
From Ken’s desk September 2011A friend to our work will be sorely missed On July 24th 2011 Chief District Court Judge Russell Johnson died (aged 64 years) after a short illness. Judge Johnson […]
Call for papers now open for Motivational Interviewing SymposiumBeyond an Effect Size: Innovations in Thinking & Practice, 7-9 March 2012. Auckland, New Zealand HMA is pleased to announce the second International Symposium on Motivational Interviewing (ISMI). The event […]
Online Poster/Visual Media CompetitionWe received this information from Dr Gary Foster, Manager of Spiritus Sexual Assault Services in Brisbane. Gary has long been a strong advocate for men who have experienced sexual abuse […]
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing with Joel PorterThis entry level 2-day workshop will be held in Auckland on 8-9 December 2011. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a clinical counselling method to help people make decisions about change. It […]
Youth Offending Programmes – what really does workThe Christchurch Press recently lead with a story about how the controversial ‘Boot Camp’ for New Zealand’s worst young offenders should be scrapped, after new figures showed a high reoffending […]
From Ken’s desk July 2011The challenges just keep on coming. Recently, Suzanne Hall and myself as directors of HMA, met with the other floor owners of Westpark Tower to discuss the fate of our […]
On the road throughout Queensland training sentence plannersSentence planners are critical to assessing and managing the thorough care of prisoners within the Queensland prison system. Sentence Management Training was a two day program conducted at the Queensland […]
Mark your diaries now: Motivational Interviewing SymposiumWe are excited to provide you all with advanced notice of the second MI Symposium, to be held in Auckland 7-9 March 2012.Terri Moyers from the USA is going to […]
From Ken’s desk June 2011The events of 22 February 2011 continue to challenge us here in the Garden City of Christchurch. We are through the immediate rescue and stabilising phase (ensuring people are safe […]
New family violence intervention programmes designedA goal for many years has been to design a robust and updated programme for family violence interventions that fit the requirements of the Domestic Violence Act (1995). An earlier […]
Family Violence Programme to Better Suit Tasmania’s NeedsHMA has had a strong relationship with Tasmanian Safe At Home project for a number of years. With responsibility for delivering stopping violence interventions coming back to Community Probation Service, […]
‘Effective interventions with offenders: Lessons learned’ out nowEdited by Ken McMaster & David Riley, RRP $34.95In this book we asked contributors to reflect upon their practice and identify lessons learned that can increase the effectiveness and reach […]
Motivational Interviewing newsMotivational Interviewing has been practiced in New Zealand for decades. Until last week, there were only a handful of people who could provide accurate and objective feedback and coaching to […]
‘Effective Interventions with Offenders – Lessons Learned’Edited by Ken McMaster & David Riley, RRP $34.95Despite the glitch with the recent Christchurch earthquake we are back on track with the release of our most recent publication. We […]
From Ken’s desk April 2011We didn’t see thiscoming. I am referring of course to the earthquake that decimated most of Christchurch on 22 February. We were starting to rebuild after the September earthquake. No […]
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