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