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