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