Define Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a focused and goal-directed form of counseling. Motivational interviewing is the practice of interviewing in a direct, client-centered counseling style to help bring change to the client's behavior. The practice of motivational interviewing is part of psychotherapy, and it enables clients to explore and resolve their problems.

History

Motivational interviewing was originally created to assist those with alcohol-dependency problems work through their issues and deal with their addiction. This type of therapy allows the patient to find change from within, and it is not forced from the outside. During this course of treatment, the client is held accountable for his past and current behaviors.

Counselor

The motivational interviewing style of therapy includes the counselor sitting in silence, allowing the patient to speak and lead the discussion. This type of counseling is not aggressive. It is very passive, and it requires patience on the part of the counselor. This method is used to avoid being too pushy with the client and convincing him to do things he may not be ready for.

Considerations

Motivational interviewing can be useful in counseling for the following reasons: stage of change (the process of allowing a patient to change behaviors through different stages over time), clarification and assessment. According to Drugnet, an online rehabilitation therapy website, the assessment portion of motivational interviewing includes: identifying the benefits, costs, life goals, decisions and consequent goals of the client during the counseling process.

Effects

The effects of motivational interviewing can lead to the client changing the course of his behavior and eliminating bad habits that lead to the addiction or problem. This includes a client accepting himself and the decisions that were previously made in his life. The change with this type of therapy can be lasting since it is a slow and gradual process for the client.

Time Frame

There is no set time frame for motivational interviewing. The patient can begin to change immediately, or it could take months before any changes are seen. the counselor that initiates this type of therapy has to remain patient and allow the patient to steer the course of the therapy for as long as it takes.

References

• Motivational Interviewing: What is MI?
• Family Counseling Associates: Motivational Interviewing training
• Drugnet: Motivational Interviewing
• Utah Department of Health: Motivational Interviewing (PDF)

Resources

• AddictionInfo: Motivational Interviewing and Counseling