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