The Therapist Thrival Guide 81. Everyone Can Use Motivational Interviewing
Jan 8, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Sara Polley, Chief Medical Officer at Ellie Mental Health and a psychiatrist specializing in addiction medicine, shares insights on Motivational Interviewing (MI). They discuss the OARS technique—Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries. Listeners will learn how to identify change talk versus sustain talk and the importance of aligning therapeutic goals with client values. Practical tips illustrate how clinicians can effectively incorporate MI into their practice, fostering a collaborative environment with young clients.
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Motivational Interviewing Defined
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic style, not a structured therapy model like CBT or DBT.
- It targets ambivalence in clients who aren't ready to change, unlike traditional therapies requiring readiness first.
Diverse Learning Experience with MI
- Miranda learned MI in a seminar with diverse professionals, bringing it into her therapeutic work.
- She uses MI to help her client's loved ones explore resistance instead of pushing change.
Avoiding Directive Advice in MI
- MI contrasts with paternalistic advice-giving, which can provoke resistance or shame.
- Engaging clients by exploring their reasons strengthens collaboration and reduces judgment.
