Essay On Motivational Interviewing

Short Paper 4: Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is an important technique and counseling style that was created by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick in the 1980’s. The brief definition of motivational interviewing (MI) that is provided by Miller and Rollnick in their influential text is “a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person’s own motivation and commitment to change” (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Motivational interviewing is considered to be a style that evolved from client-centered therapy. The style is considered to be empathic but requires the counselor to consciously directive so that they may help their client resolve the ambivalence they are experiencing and direct them towards change. The important thing to note is that client autonomy is key to the process (Hettema, Steele, & Miller, 2005). However, despite being able to currently give a definition of MI, one that could be considered a working definition, motivational interviewing is “a living, evolving method” (Miller & Rollnick, 2009). It will continue to evolve as times change and it is implemented in use with other maladaptive behaviors. MI is a relatively new style that it still has the ability to undergo changes to adapt to what purpose it is serving (Miller & Rollnick, 2009).

There are several phases of the motivational interviewing known as: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. Each step builds upon one another and are viewed in a stair step sort of representation. The steps are completed in this manner in order to build a strong foundation (Miller & Rollnick, 2013).

Motivational interviewing began as a way of helping individuals suffering from alcohol addiction. Miller noted how different methods were helpfu...

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...la, 2003). However, I would view motivational interviewing as being very effective for criminal offenders due to the high levels of resistance that may be faced when trying to provide counseling to offenders.

The ultimate intention of motivational interviewing and guided change talk is that it will result in a strong commitment to change for the client. There is a higher likelihood of behavioral changes actually occurring (Hettema, Steele, & Miller, 2005). Data from early research completed by Miller on MI with drinking showed how change talk can predict behavioral changes. Resistance is common in motivational interviewing. The data shows that the more than a clients resists changes and positive change talk, the more likely they are to continue with the behavior that needs to be changed, such as drinking, drug abuse, or criminal offending (Miller & Rose, 2009).