Motivational interviewing is a counselling style that is designed to help people resolve ambivalence about making changes in their lives and increase their motivation to make those changes. It is a collaborative, non-confrontational approach that helps people to examine their thoughts and feelings about change and to identify the pros and cons of making a change. The goal of motivational interviewing is to help people to feel more confident and capable of making positive changes in their lives.

Motivational interviewing is based on the idea that people are more likely to make changes when they feel ready and motivated to do so, rather than when they are being told what to do or pressured to change. The counsellor using this approach works with the client to help them identify their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve those goals. The counsellor also helps the client to develop the skills and strategies they need to overcome any obstacles that may be preventing them from making the changes they desire.

Motivational interviewing is a flexible, adaptable approach that can be used with people of all ages and in a variety of settings, including individual counselling, group counselling, and family therapy. It is often used in the treatment of substance abuse and addiction, but it can also be used to help people make other types of lifestyle changes, such as improving their diet, increasing physical activity, or quitting smoking.

How does motivational interviewing differ from other types of therapy?

Motivational interviewing is different from other types of therapy in one key way:

Focus on motivation: Motivational interviewing is specifically focused on helping people to increase their motivation to make changes, rather than on addressing specific problems or symptoms.

Why would you choose motivational interviewing over other types of therapy?

Motivational interviewing is a counselling approach that is particularly well-suited to helping people who are ambivalent about making changes in their lives. It can be effective for people who are considering making changes but are not yet fully committed to doing so, or for people who have tried to make changes in the past but have been unsuccessful.

Some specific situations where motivational interviewing might be a good choice include:

Substance abuse treatment: Motivational interviewing is often used in the treatment of substance abuse and addiction, as it helps people to identify their goals for recovery and the steps they need to take to achieve those goals.

Health behaviour change: Motivational interviewing can be useful for helping people to make positive changes in their health behaviours, such as improving their diet, increasing physical activity, or quitting smoking.

Other lifestyle changes: Motivational interviewing can also be helpful for people who are considering making other types of lifestyle changes, such as finding a new job or ending a problematic relationship.

It’s important to note that different approaches may be appropriate for different people and situations. It’s always a good idea to discuss your treatment options with a mental health professional to determine the best approach for you.

Collaborative approach: Motivational interviewing is a collaborative approach that involves the client in the decision-making process. The counsellor works with the client to identify their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve those goals.

Non-confrontational: Motivational interviewing is a non-confrontational approach that avoids arguing or trying to persuade the client to change. Instead, it helps the client to explore their own thoughts and feelings about change and to identify the pros and cons of making a change.

Goal-oriented: Motivational interviewing is a goal-oriented approach that helps the client to identify specific goals and the steps they need to take to achieve those goals.

There are many other types of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, psychoanalytic therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy, that have different goals and approaches. Some therapies focus on helping people to understand and work through their past experiences, while others focus on helping people to change their thoughts and behaviours in the present.

How is motivational interviewing different from dialectical behaviour therapy?

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive-behavioural therapy that was developed to treat people with borderline personality disorder. It is a structured, skills-based therapy that aims to help people to regulate their emotions, improve their relationships, and make more positive choices in their lives.

Motivational interviewing, on the other hand, is a counselling approach that is designed to help people resolve ambivalence and increase their motivation to make positive changes in their lives. It is a collaborative, non-confrontational approach that helps people to examine their thoughts and feelings about change and to identify the pros and cons of making a change.

While both approaches can be helpful for people who are trying to make changes in their lives, they have some key differences:

Focus: DBT focuses on helping people to develop specific skills to manage their emotions and behaviours, while motivational interviewing focuses on helping people to increase their motivation to make changes.

Format: DBT typically involves weekly individual therapy sessions and weekly skills training group sessions, while motivational interviewing can take place in a variety of formats, including individual counselling, group counselling, and family therapy.

Target population: DBT was specifically developed for people with borderline personality disorder, while motivational interviewing can be used with a wide range of populations.

How is motivational therapy helpful in family therapy?

Motivational interviewing can be a helpful approach in family therapy when there are conflicts or disputes within the family about making changes. It can help family members to explore their thoughts and feelings about change and to identify the pros and cons of making a change.

In family therapy, the therapist using a motivational interviewing approach would work with all members of the family to help them understand each other’s perspectives and to identify common goals. The therapist would also help the family to develop a plan for making the desired changes and to support each other in working towards those changes.

Some specific ways that motivational interviewing can be helpful in family therapy include:

Encouraging open communication: Motivational interviewing can help family members to express their thoughts and feelings in a non-confrontational way, which can encourage open communication and reduce conflicts.

Building motivation: Motivational interviewing can help family members to identify their goals and the steps they need to take to achieve those goals, which can increase their motivation to make changes.

Developing problem-solving skills: Motivational interviewing can help family members to develop problem-solving skills, which can be useful for addressing conflicts and disputes within the family.

Strengthening relationships: By helping family members to understand each other’s perspectives and to work towards common goals, motivational interviewing can strengthen relationships within the family.

It’s important to note that different approaches may be appropriate for different people and situations. It’s always a good idea to discuss your treatment options with a mental health professional to determine the best approach for you.

Thank you for reading this blog post on what is motivational interviewing in therapy! We hope you found it helpful and informative. Please contact us anytime if you have any questions on this topic, or if you would like to set up an appointment with us to learn more about how we can help you with your personal needs.