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