Motivational Interviewing: Foundations for Change

Motivational Interviewing is a non-judgmental, non-confrontational, person-centered method for eliciting behavioral change by facilitating the exploration of and resolution of ambivalence and the discovery and use of intrinsic motivation. Developed in part by clinical psychologists William R Miller, Ph.D. and Stephen Rollnick, Ph.D, Motivational Interviewing was first used with those with substance abuse and addiction issues. It is now used for a wide variety of issues. Motivational interviewing incorporates four basic therapeutic skills: the use of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summative statements to the client. These techniques help to identify behaviors that are inconsistent with personal values and goals. Accepting the client’s actual readiness to change and encouraging the client to weigh the pros and cons of change enhance the therapeutic alliance and enable the client to make more productive choices that are consistent with stated goals.

This introductory course begins with an audio introduction which provides insight into factors which may need to be addressed prior to directly assessing motivation. Next, two articles provide information about the concept and process of Motivational Interviewing and review its foundation and development over time. Research is presented to identify how it is used as a general counseling style, as well as in use with very specific issues. The second section is comprised of two very brief videos which demonstrate the value of Motivational Interviewing in a healthcare setting (and the potential for empathic failure when it is not used!).