What Is Motivational Interviewing?

Understanding MI

MI is a counseling style that’s used in many different therapy settings. It’s often used to help treat addiction or substance abuse disorders, but it can be used for a wide range of behaviors.

To be successful, MI requires a partnership between you and your therapist or counselor. Your therapist should create a warm, open space for you to talk. You should feel respected and supported.

During your sessions, a therapist or counselor will guide your conversation with a series of questions. These questions are meant to help you identify your goals and see how your behavior may prevent you from meeting them.

There are a few key principles of MI that your therapist or counselor will follow. They should:

• Express empathy. They will listen carefully and seek to understand your feelings, beliefs, and experiences.

• Develop discrepancy. They will ask about your goals and values, and point out when your current behavior does not fit into those goals and values.

• Roll with resistance. They will allow you to make all arguments for behavioral changes. They will not argue with you.

Support self-efficacy. They will support the belief that you can accomplish a specific behavioral goal.

How does MI work?

MI usually consists of these specific techniques: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. Your therapist will create a respectful, comfortable space. They won’t push you to make changes if you aren’t ready. Instead, they will listen to and support you.

Positive changes can be hard to make, but through MI you will discover your own personal reasons for changing your behavior. When you want to make a change happen, you’re more likely to be successful. It’s important that your therapist helps you see the problem clearly and then helps you create solutions for behavioral change.

To do so, your therapist may use the OARS method. This stands for open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries.

By using the OARS method, your therapist will:

• Ask open-ended questions. These types of questions will encourage you to think and share.

• Offer affirmations to build your confidence. Your therapist is there to give you positive encouragement. They’re rooting for you.

• Practice reflective listening .Your therapist will share what they think you’re feeling based on what they’ve heard you say.

Give a summary of the main points and progress that’s been made.

How effective is MI?

Research shows that MI can be an effective form of therapy, especially to decrease substance use. You can usually expect to see results after one to four sessions, though the more sessions you complete, the more effective it is. Each session can last up to 45 minutes. Your sessions may be in a group setting or one-on-one. But just know that MI tends to be more effective when your health care provider, therapist, or counselor is properly trained and understands its key principles and specific techniques.

If you’re hoping to change a certain behavior—like drinking alcohol or smoking tobacco—MI can help make a difference. To find a therapist or counselor near you with training in MI, visit the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers at motivationalinterviewing.org. With help and support, you can uncover the steps you need to take to make a positive change in your life.