Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for borderline personality disorder when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Borderline Personality Disorder
People with borderline personality disorder are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar borderline personality disorder patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Borderline Personality Disorder Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about borderline personality disorder treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of borderline personality disorder ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with borderline personality disorder
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing borderline personality disorder
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to borderline personality disorder recovery
MI in Borderline Personality Disorder Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many borderline personality disorder treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.