What is Motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is a counselling method that helps you resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation you need to change your behaviour. It is a practical, empathetic, and a short-term process that takes into consideration how difficult it is to make life changes.

Motivational interviewing is often used to address addiction and the management of physical health conditions. This intervention will help you become motivated to change the behaviours that are preventing you from making healthier choices. It can also prepare individuals for further, more specific types of therapies.

How does motivational interviewing work?

The process of motivational interviewing is twofold. The first goal is to increase your motivation and the second is for you to make the commitment to change. As opposed to simply stating a need or desire to change, hearing yourselves express a commitment out loud has been shown to help improve a client’s ability to make those changes.

What does this look like?

My role will be more about listening than intervening. Motivational interviewing is often combined or followed up with other interventions. Motivational interviewing works best if you have mixed feelings about changing your behaviour. If you have absolutely no desire to change your behaviour, or are already highly motivated to change then you may not reap the benefits of this approach