Motivational Interviewing and the Importance of Change

Motivational interviewing, a technique developed by Dr. William Miller and Steven Roelnick, is crucial for enhancing therapy outcomes. In a study on generalized anxiety disorder, combining motivational interviewing with cognitive behavioral therapy significantly improved results, particularly for anxiety sufferers undergoing exposure-based treatment. The success of motivational interviewing in this study and others can be attributed to establishing a strong therapeutic alliance and tapping into the individual's motivation and internal resources for change. Dr. Miller's extensive research spanning 40 years highlights the key characteristics of effective therapists, with motivational interviewing embodying the majority of these traits. This underscores the importance of considering the patient-therapist relationship and promoting the individual's motivation and ideas for change before diving into intense treatment methods for better clinical outcomes.