People I meet in my MI training work often ask about what they can do next to build on what they have learned, and improve their skills. Once you’ve attended an introductory training, or done some reading and practice or worked with a coach on MI skills, it might be time to consider what you […]
MI Practice Tip: Engagement
The basic process of MI, engagement,is the foundation of your relationship with your client, and all that builds on it. To be an effective agent of change, the practitioner must demonstrate engagement at every opportunity, by letting the client know that they are listening and understand the meaning of the proposed change to the client. […]
MI Practice Tip: It’s OK to Drop the Guilt About Food
Motivational Interviewing and a Non-Diet approach work beautifully together. You can let your client know that it’s OK to drop the guilt about food, and look inward to her body’s messages about when, what and how much to eat. Using MI, we are a guide, helping the client to see a new way of looking […]
MI Practice Tip: Take a Chance and ‘Guess
Many people new to MI have trouble moving their reflections from simple to complex. A complex reflection is a guess at the meaning or emotion that the client is expressing. My experience is that this is a matter of practice, and being willing to listen carefully and take a chance at such a “guess”. You […]
