Motivational Interviewing Techniques

Many counseling approaches can help you address mental disorders such as addiction. However, treatment won’t go far unless you have the motivation to change. Motivational interviewing techniques help you find motivation within yourself.

5 Common Motivational Interviewing Techniques

During motivational interviewing therapy, a counselor can use a range of techniques to guide you toward change. Below is an overview of some of these methods.

Showing Empathy

You might go into addiction treatment feeling like no one understands you. During motivational interviewing, the counselor puts himself or herself into your shoes. This technique allows your therapist to see through your eyes and acknowledge how difficult change is for you. As a result, the counselor builds trust so that you open up about your personal concerns.

Developing Discrepancies

Sometimes called the Columbo approach, this technique involves asking questions about your behavior. Your therapist makes them sound like curious questions to get more details rather than judge you. When you give contradictory information, the counselor will point it out to make you think about your mindset.

Usually, the therapist will end the series of questions with a statement that makes you reflect on your actions. The purpose is to help you get back on track with your goals.

Supporting Self-Efficacy

By the end of motivational interviewing, you need to have the motivation and confidence in changing your life. To achieve that, your therapist will support your progress and your plan for the future. This technique boosts your self-esteem so that you feel more capable of meeting your goals.

Offering Advice

Similar to most people, you likely don’t want anyone else to tell you how to live your life. When it’s time for your therapist to give you advice, he or she will present choices casually and without judgment. Since this is one of the most tricky motivational interviewing techniques, the counselor will follow a general pattern.

Firstly, the therapist will ask you about something before providing advice rather than offer advice that you don’t ask for. Instead of telling you to do something, the counselor will make it sound more like an option to consider. Finally, the therapist will ask you how you feel about the advice and then provide confidence in that advice.

Battling Resistance

You’re likely to resist some of the changes that your counselor suggests. However, your therapist knows how to roll with this resistance by asking permissive questions and listening to your explanation. Rather than tell you that you’re wrong, your counselor invites you to consider new ways of thinking or resolving issues.

Get the Therapy You Need

Have loved ones expressed concern about your drug use but you lack the motivation to change? Instead of ignoring them, visit Beaches Recovery for help. Our rehab center can lead you to recovery with treatment methods such as:

• Fitness therapy
• Hiking therapy
• Music therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Family counseling

Don’t let a lack of motivation keep you from living a healthier life. Find out more about motivational interviewing techniques. Call Beaches Recovery at 866.605.0532 to speak to one of our compassionate addiction counselors.