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