Your clients are struggling with inner conflicts. How can you guide them towards resolution during sessions?

1 Understanding MI

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change. It's predicated on the concept of ambivalence—the simultaneous existence of conflicting emotions or thoughts that can prevent change. Your role is to listen empathetically, fostering an environment where clients can articulate their internal conflicts without fear of judgment. Through reflective listening, you can help them explore the pros and cons of their situation, which is crucial in leading them towards resolving their conflicts.

2 Express Empathy

Expressing empathy is a foundational skill in Motivational Interviewing. It involves a genuine effort to understand your clients' perspectives and feelings without imposing your own judgments or biases. By validating their experiences and emotions, you encourage a safe space for self-exploration. This acceptance can be incredibly powerful, often leading clients to feel understood and supported, which can reduce resistance and increase openness to change.

3 Develop Discrepancy

Developing discrepancy is a technique in MI that helps clients recognize the gap between their current behavior and their broader life goals or values. You guide them in identifying how their internal conflicts are hindering their progress. By making these discrepancies apparent, clients can see the benefits of change more clearly. This realization often acts as a catalyst for the motivation needed to initiate and sustain change.

4 Roll with Resistance

Resistance is a natural response when individuals feel pressured to change. In Motivational Interviewing, you don't confront or oppose resistance but 'roll with it.' This involves acknowledging the client's feelings and perspectives while gently guiding them towards examining their ambivalence. By avoiding direct confrontation, you minimize defensiveness and promote a more open dialogue about change.

6 Evoke Change Talk

Eliciting 'change talk' is a key component of Motivational Interviewing. Change talk refers to the client's own arguments for change, which are more persuasive than any external advice. Your role is to ask open-ended questions, listen carefully, and guide the conversation in a way that allows clients to voice their desires, reasons, and need for change. This self-generated change talk can significantly enhance motivation and commitment to resolving their inner conflicts.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?