Motivational Interviewing is an empathic, gentle,
and skillful style of counseling that helps practitioners have
productive conversations with individuals with co-occurring and other
disorders. Essential characteristics of motivational interviewing
include:
- Expressing empathy through reflective listening.
- Noting discrepancies between current and desired behavior.
- Avoiding argumentation and rolling with resistance.
- Encourage the consumer's belief that he or she has the ability to change.
- Communicating respect for and acceptance of people and their feelings.
- Establishing a nonjudgmental, collaborative relationship.
- Being a supportive and knowledgeable consultant.
- Complimenting rather than denigrating.
- Listening rather than telling.
- Gently persuading, with the understanding that change is up to the person.
- Providing support throughout the process of recovery.
This approach is different from pressuring a
person through threats of negative health consequences, shame, or guilt.
The core communications skills of motivational interviewing-asking,
informing, listening-are well suited to helping people talk about,
commit to, and undertake health behavior change. Empathy, hope, and
respect provide the foundation for what is possible in recovery from
co-occurring disorders.
It is a crucial, collaborative conversation and
joint decision-making process between the practitioner and person
receiving treatment. Ultimately, only the individual can make behavior
and lifestyle changes to improve his or her health.
Motivational interviewing techniques include:
- Asking open-ended questions
- Using affirmations
- Forming reflective statements
- Providing a summaries
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