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