Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative communication style that increases intrinsic motivation for behavior change. It attempts to increase the person’s awareness of the potential problems caused, consequences experienced, and risks faced as a result of the target behavior. The professional helps clients envision a better future, as they become increasingly motivated to achieve their goals in a collaborative fashion.
Motivational Interviewing focuses on the present, and entails working with an individual to change any particular behaviors that might not be consistent with their personal values. These discrepancies are explored in a non-threatening manner. The key tenets of MI are empathy, collaboration, and evocation which are utilized to help the person overcome ambivalence about changing. A variety of studies have shown its efficacy in a broad arena of behavior change when used versus the status quo.
Motivational Interviewing skills know no boundaries when it comes to behavior change and are utilized in many human services environments.
