A double-sided reflection is a great way of expressing ambivalence to your client. It’s a short summary of both sides of the ambivalence. It’s basically “You feel two ways about this. On one hand you feel__________and on the other hand you feel____________”. Using the example in the article in this newsletter, you might say to ES, “On […]
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”, 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 […]
Teaching Dietetic Interns What They Won’t Need to Unlearn
One of my favorite Motivational Interviewing Workshop trainings I do all year is for the dietetic interns of eastern MA. I was trained in Boston in 1971, and would have benefited greatly from a workshop such as the one I now provide. I was taught to teach the diet, and always felt like I was […]
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 […]
