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