Psychotherapy » Motivational Interviewing

WHAT IS MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING?

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centered approach to counseling that aims to help individuals resolve ambivalence about behavior change and increase their motivation to make positive changes. It is often used in the context of substance abuse treatment, but can be applied to a wide range of behaviors and conditions.

CORE PRINCIPLES OF MI:

1. Expressing empathy: The counselor seeks to understand the client’s perspective and experiences, and communicates this understanding through active listening, reflection, and validation.

2. Developing discrepancy: The counselor helps the client recognize the gap between their current behavior and their goals or values, and encourages them to explore this discrepancy in order to increase motivation for change.

3. Rolling with resistance: The counselor avoids confrontation and instead works collaboratively with the client, acknowledging their ambivalence and exploring potential solutions in a non-judgmental way.

4. Supporting self-efficacy: The counselor helps the client identify their strengths and resources, and encourages them to take small steps towards behavior change in order to build confidence and increase motivation.

Some techniques commonly used in MI include open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing. These techniques help to build rapport with the client and promote a collaborative, non-judgmental relationship.

MI can be an effective approach for helping individuals overcome resistance to behavior change and increase their motivation to make positive changes. It can be used in a variety of settings, including healthcare, social work, and criminal justice, and can be applied to a wide range of behaviors and conditions.