Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centred counselling style for eliciting behaviour change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. It was developed by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick in the early 1980s. MI is a directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation by exploring and resolving ambivalence. The approach is designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal by eliciting and exploring the person's own reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.
The basic principles of MI include the following:
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Expressing empathy: MI therapists aim to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where the client feels heard and understood. They use reflective listening to understand the client's perspective and express empathy for their feelings.
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Developing discrepancy: MI therapists help the client to see the discrepancy between their current behaviour and their goals, and to understand the negative consequences of their behaviour. This helps the client to see the need for change.
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Rolling with resistance: MI therapists do not argue with the client or try to convince them to change. Instead, they accept and respect the client's perspective and help the client to resolve their own ambivalence about change.
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Supporting self-efficacy: MI therapists support the client's belief in their ability to change by helping them to identify their strengths and resources and to set small, achievable goals.
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Encouraging autonomy: MI therapists respect the client's autonomy and help them to make their own decisions about change.
MI has been found to be effective in a wide range of settings and populations, including substance abuse, mental health, medical, and criminal justice. MI has been applied to a wide range of health behaviours, including substance abuse, diet and exercise, medication adherence, and preventive care.
The use of MI in addiction treatment is one of the most widely researched and established applications of the method. MI has been found to be effective in reducing substance use and promoting abstinence in individuals with alcohol and drug use disorders. It has also been used to treat co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety.
MI has also been used in medical settings to help patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity to make lifestyle changes. MI has been found to be effective in increasing physical activity, improving diet, and reducing smoking.
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