In MI training, we emphasize asking permission, before you offer unasked for advice or change the subject. The obvious question, then is what happens if the client’s answer is NO? Here’s an opportunity to make a real connection with the client. A simple response is “Thank you, I really appreciate your honesty with me.” This can often be very […]
Ambivalence is GOOD!
As a student I was taught that ambivalence in my clients is bad, and my job was to convince them that they should want to change, for their own good. In this model of a clinician/client relationship, the clinician is responsible for whether or not the patient changes their behavior. From an MI point of […]
Using MI in Brief Encounters
One of the challenging things about learning Motivational Interviewing can be using the spirit and techniques when you have a limited amount of time with a client. I often hear how MI “won’t work in my setting because our visits are short. We have to just tell them what to do.” Examples are an emergency […]
The Function of Empathy in Motivational Interviewing
High levels of empathy are key to the MI guiding style. Empathy has been misunderstood as the expression or demonstration of kindness, agreement, acceptance, or concern for the patient. It is more than that. Empathy is not sympathy, “poor you”, or “I’ve had the same problem”. In this case, empathy is simply the demonstration of […]
Improving Your MI Skills
I’m often asked about the best ways to Learn Motivational Interviewing. The first and simplest is to read about MI. But, that alone won’t make you proficient. It’s the consistent practice with others and working with a good MI trainer that leads to proficiency. You can be sure of high quality work from a professional […]
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