What is motivational interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered, goal-oriented approach to communication that aims to elicit and strengthen a person's motivation and commitment to change. It is a collaborative and empathic conversation between a healthcare provider and a patient, where the healthcare provider helps the patient identify their own reasons for change and the steps they can take to achieve their goals.
MI is based on the belief that people are more likely to change when they feel that the change is important to them, that they have the ability to make the change, and that they have the support of others. The approach is designed to increase a person's confidence in their ability to make changes and to help them develop a plan of action that is meaningful and achievable.
The four key principles of MI are:
MI is often used in healthcare settings to help people change health-related behaviors, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol use, or improving diet and exercise habits. It can also be applied to other areas, such as addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and criminal justice interventions.
MI is based on the belief that people are more likely to change when they feel that the change is important to them, that they have the ability to make the change, and that they have the support of others. The approach is designed to increase a person's confidence in their ability to make changes and to help them develop a plan of action that is meaningful and achievable.
The four key principles of MI are:
- Express empathy - MI involves active listening, showing empathy, and avoiding judgment or confrontation.
- Develop discrepancy - MI helps people recognize the discrepancy between their current behavior and their goals or values, which can help increase their motivation to change.
- Roll with resistance - MI acknowledges that people may have mixed feelings about change and that resistance is a natural part of the process.
- Support self-efficacy - MI helps people identify their strengths and develop confidence in their ability to change.
MI is often used in healthcare settings to help people change health-related behaviors, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol use, or improving diet and exercise habits. It can also be applied to other areas, such as addiction treatment, mental health counseling, and criminal justice interventions.