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