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