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