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