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