Example Of Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a psychotherapeutic client-centered intervention which helps clients build intrinsic motivation to change. Micro skills (e.g., open ended questions, reflective listening, using affirmations, summarizing the client’s comments) and strategies (e.g., increasing client awareness of the problem, creating discrepancies from client’s current behavior to stated goals or values), are utilized by the clinician to understand the client’s perception of their problem, help the client explore ambivalence to changing the problem behavior, and to indicate discrepancies in the client’s behaviors and stated goals. MI approaches have been adapted for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. The rationale for utilizing MI approaches with integrated treatment of mental illness and substance abuse is supported by studies that demonstrate: improved retention in treatment and substance abuse outcomes, positive change in client self-efficacy, and enhanced relationships. MI has also been shown to improve engagement in treatment via increasing client attendance at initial sessions and examining the client's desire for continued treatment. These studies are encouraging but there is a need for further research. This paper concludes by considering future research opportunities on specific interventions for co-occurring disorders.
Keywords: Motivational interviewing; Co-occurring Disorders; Substance abuse; Mental illness; Treatment engagement
Motivational Interviewing and Co-Occurring Disorders
Motivational interviewing (MI) has many definitions and many applications. For the purposes of this paper, MI is defined as, “A collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication with particular attention...

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• Further modification of MI protocols to make them more suitable for clients with COD, particularly those with serious mental disorders
• Tailoring and combining MI techniques with other treatments to solve the problems (e.g., engagement, retention, etc.) of all treatment modalities (Sacks, S., & Ries, R. K., 2005, p. 121)
Conclusion
In conclusion, I will use a quote from Mueser which is optimistic. The quote is a fitting prediction given the youth of the field of co-occurring disorders and the commitment and drive of the professionals who work with clients with COD. “Despite the tentativeness of the empirical support for specific treatments for duel disorders and this time, advances made thus far are substantial, and this progress bodes well for the future development and refinement of interventions for this challenging population. (Mueser et. al. p.75).