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