HOW TO DO MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING (MI)
PREPARING FOR AN MI SESSION
- Preparing your attitude (‘spirit’)
o You respect your client’s wisdom, knowledge and ability to make
decisions for his or her own life.
o The MI Spirit is to strive to work in partnership and see things from your
client’s perspective.
o Your role is not to motivate your client or to fix a problem, but to explore
your client’s own motivation and draw out his or her own solutions.
o Summed up with the four words; “Partnership,” “Acceptance,”
“Compassion,” and "Evocation."
- Preparing your mind
o 4 things (RULE: resist, understand, listen, empower):
resist the tendency to tell your clients what to do or try to “fix” their
problems.
uncover and understand your clients’ own motivations and solutions.
be empathetic and listen carefully, striving to understand your clients’
perspectives.
empower your clients and encourage their hope and optimism
o Put distractions out of mind, good concentration is necessary for listening.
- Preparing your space
o No distractions. De-cluttered.
ACT 1: OPENINGS AND BEGINNINGS
Goals:
o Goals of the first few minutes certainly include establishing rapport and
engaging your client. Also a good time to express appreciation for the
client coming in/keeping the appointment. Structuring is important (let
client know what to expect).
- Engaging your client! (first process MI). "the process of establishing a mutually
trusting and respectful helping relationship."
- DO NOT: ask too many questions, be ‘the expert’, offer advice/solutions
prematurely, label (‘an addict’), assign blame, chatting instead of getting down to
business.
Setting the agenda
o a good way to open a session, no matter what the goals are, is by
introducing yourself, expressing appreciation, and explaining what your
role is and what you hope to accomplish. The statement should include
PREPARING FOR AN MI SESSION
- Preparing your attitude (‘spirit’)
o You respect your client’s wisdom, knowledge and ability to make
decisions for his or her own life.
o The MI Spirit is to strive to work in partnership and see things from your
client’s perspective.
o Your role is not to motivate your client or to fix a problem, but to explore
your client’s own motivation and draw out his or her own solutions.
o Summed up with the four words; “Partnership,” “Acceptance,”
“Compassion,” and "Evocation."
- Preparing your mind
o 4 things (RULE: resist, understand, listen, empower):
resist the tendency to tell your clients what to do or try to “fix” their
problems.
uncover and understand your clients’ own motivations and solutions.
be empathetic and listen carefully, striving to understand your clients’
perspectives.
empower your clients and encourage their hope and optimism
o Put distractions out of mind, good concentration is necessary for listening.
- Preparing your space
o No distractions. De-cluttered.
ACT 1: OPENINGS AND BEGINNINGS
Goals:
o Goals of the first few minutes certainly include establishing rapport and
engaging your client. Also a good time to express appreciation for the
client coming in/keeping the appointment. Structuring is important (let
client know what to expect).
- Engaging your client! (first process MI). "the process of establishing a mutually
trusting and respectful helping relationship."
- DO NOT: ask too many questions, be ‘the expert’, offer advice/solutions
prematurely, label (‘an addict’), assign blame, chatting instead of getting down to
business.
Setting the agenda
o a good way to open a session, no matter what the goals are, is by
introducing yourself, expressing appreciation, and explaining what your
role is and what you hope to accomplish. The statement should include
