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”, nor is it “I’ve had the same problem”. In Motivational Interviewing, empathy is simply the demonstration of a keen but neutral curiosity for […]
Managing Patient “Resistance” with MI
If your work involves helping people change their behavior, you have probably encountered a “resistant” client. I put the word in quotes because it implies there is something wrong with them. They are resisting something they should want to change and it’s so very clear to you that it’s true. In Motivational Interviewing, we assume […]
Why Take Time To Love Yourself?
This article is adapted from my friend and colleague, Diana Cullum-Dugan’s newsletter. You can find Diana at www.NamasteNutrition.net and email her at DianaCullumDugan@gmail.com Why take time to love yourself? The gift of you is tremendous. The richness, unique skills, and intelligence that make you are stellar. Diets fix us and stop the emotions married to […]
The Power of the Meaning of Words in Motivational Interviewing
I’ve been an MI trainer for 8 years. When I first began learning the techniques of MI as a clinician, and then learned to run my own trainings, I thought I knew all I needed to know about MI I’ve since learned that something new comes up in almost every MI training that I conduct. Participants […]
What’s Change Got to Do with Motivational Interviewing?
Many people say “I hate change”. I think most people hate change! No one has a corner on the market on hating change. Yes, of course, there are a few people who really love and welcome change, but there aren’t many. When we are working with clients/patients who resist change and we wonder why, try remembering how […]
