Motivational interviewing is a counseling style that challenges people to develop the internal motivations necessary to counteract or change certain behaviors they consider problematic in their lives. The main goal is to elicit self-motivation by helping people see how tapping into motivation and generating lasting change are possible and accessible.
Motivational Interviewing History
First developed in the 1980s by clinical psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick to support patients with substance use disorders
- Over time, other professionals have implemented motivational interviewing in public health, medical care, criminal justice systems, education, and familial systems
- As a counseling method, motivational interviewing has grown tremendously over the last few decades and is now an established, evidence-based practice
Engaging
Practitioners initially engage clients in establishing a trusting relationship
Evoking
Practitioners evoke their clients’ motivation and reasons for change by actively listening and pointing out when their client uses language regarding change
How Does Motivational Interviewing Work?
The interviewer encourages clients to verbalize the changes they believe are necessary and to explain their reasons for wanting change.
- Initially, interviewers will ask open-ended questions, listen reflectively, summarize and affirm the client’s points, and encourage self-motivational statements.
Effectiveness
Motivational interviewing is very effective in many ways
- It could reduce substance abuse compared to no treatment
- A 2018 study found that motivational interviewing improved treatment outcomes for individuals with anxiety disorders when used as an adjunct to cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders
- In a 2017 study, a group of Australian psychological researchers found that two motivational interviewing sessions that lasted for as little as 15 minutes effectively enhanced clients’ attendance in mental health treatment
Support Self-Efficacy and Optimism
A trained professional will individually guide the interview using an empathetic, supportive, and direct approach
