What’s Motivational Interviewing (MI)?

Michael Fulop and Kevin Tomlin are members of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers ( MINT ). Both are available to conduct MI training workshops, group and individual consultation, and motivational interviewing supervision Services.

Motivational Interviewing is “a particular way of talking with people about change and growth to strengthen their own motivation and commitment.” MI is employed by professionals to build rapid and deep engagement to elicit a person’s motivation to make specific or general changes. Both Kevin and Michael use MI as a foundation in their clinical practice to help people make changes with problems ranging from physical and mental health issues, parenting, academic activation, substance use, and living with diabetes.

Michael Fulop lives with T1 diabetes, and when diagnosed at age 32, he found many professionals did not listen well. Rather, they often seemed to believe merely telling people what to do was effective. But with T1, and other chronic illnesses, it is rarely the case, as patients are everyday decision-makers. His observation spurred him to begin a lifelong MI learning journey devoted to training professionals to improve their listening. He began his formal MI training in Sitges, Spain (2009) at the MINT TNT (training of new trainers). 

Kevin Tomlin, LPC, LMHC, SUDP, CADC-I is a licensed mental health counselor, certified alcohol and drug counselor, and certified personal trainer with a deep commitment to culturally responsive care and motivational enhancement. As an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Kevin brings over a decade of experience integrating trauma-informed, ambivalence-aware approaches across addiction medicine, tribal health systems, and performance-based environments. 

Since completing his Training for New Trainers (MINT TNT) in New Orleans in 2018, Kevin has been an active member of MINT, championing MI fidelity and accessibility in settings ranging from clinical intake to athletic coaching. His work with tribal helpers and interdisciplinary teams reflects a systems-level understanding of change, emphasizing relational engagement from the front desk to the field.