Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a directive, client-centered counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence.  Compared with non-directive counseling, it is more focused and goal-directed.  The examination and resolution of ambivalence is its central purpose, and the counselor is intentionally directive in pursuing this goal.

What Motivates Change?  Translating Theory into Practice

1.  Ambivalence is a normal and natural part of the change process.

Provide a safe, supportive, empowering environment the client to explore ambivalence.

2.  When you are told what to do, there is a strong chance you will want to do the opposite.

People like to feel in control.  Support the client's autonomy.

3.  Your beliefs are more influenced by what you hear yourself say than by what others say to you.

Encourage clients to say the kinds of things we usually tell them.

4.  Before you can decide to change, you need to believe that change is possible.

Voice confidence in the client's ability to change, adhere, comply.

5.  People who express reasons for change are more likely to change; those that argue against it (resistance) are less likely to change.

Listen to clients.  See resistance as a signal to change course.

6.  The interaction between provider and client powerfully influences client resistance, compliance, and change.

Never underestimate the power of relationship.

7.  Brief interventions have the potential to produce similar outcomes to longer, more intensive interventions.

Spending even a few minutes with a client can lead to behavior change.

Reference:  Miller & Rollnick (2002). Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change (2nd Edition), New York: Guilford Press.