Motivational Interviewing
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing is a therapeutic approach that engages a person’s internal motivation to change. Motivational Interviewing is goal-orientated and client focused, meaning the client controls the direction and outcome of the therapeutic alliance, with the therapist asking leading questions to explore motivation for change.
How Does it Work?
The 4 principles of Motivational Interviewing are:
- Expressing empathy
- Developing discrepancy
- Rolling with resistance (avoiding confrontation)
- Supporting self-efficacy
Therapists will use a variety of ways to drive the change required:
- Open-ended questioning
- Reflective listening
- Providing affirmations
- Provision of summary statements
- Focus is upon the present
- Empathy and Acceptance is conveyed
What are the benefits?
Motivational interviewing has been demonstrated to work effectively with dual diagnosis and in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches.
