Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented psychotherapy technique focused on behavioural change. It aims to enhance personal motivation and commitment to a specific goal by tapping into clients’ own reasons for change while a focus on acceptance and compassion.
Techniques:
MI involves guiding rather than directing or merely listening to clients. It empowers clients by helping them identify the intrinsic meaning, importance, and ability to change. Clients are treated as equal partners in this process, with their autonomy respected. It focuses on the present by getting clients to examine their current situation and possible options. MI is a method of communication rather than an intervention, commonly used in combination with other treatments.
MI uses core skills known as OARS:
- Open questions – allows client to explore their personal experiences, perspectives, and ideas
- Affirmations – affirms clients’ strengths, efforts and past successful instances of change to build on their confidence
- Reflections – repeating and rephrasing clients’ words after active listening to reflect empathy for clients
- Summarizing – reinforces key points to ensure shared understanding between client and therapist
Strengths:
MI is effective across various settings, including healthcare and education, and populations, regardless of age, ethnicity or sexuality. It is often used to treat addictions and manage physical health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. It is particularly useful for clients who are indecisive and uncertain about change, with low confidence and desire for making changes.
MI excels in helping unmotivated or unprepared clients become more accountable and receptive to therapy. It builds clients’ confidence and elicits positive emotions by encouraging clients to focus on better outcomes as a result of achieving behavioural changes they set out for.
