motivational interviewing

Question 1

what is motivational interviewing?

Answer 1

• “a client-centered, directive coaching method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence”

Question 2

ambivalence - what is it

Answer 2

• highlights the individual’s ambivalence regarding maintaining vs changing a behaviour
• it is balancing of the costs of status quo with the costs of change and the benefits of the status quo
• ambivalence is normal

Question 3

ambivalence and behaviours

Answer 3

• most clients are ambivalent about unhealthy behaviours
• when we see an unhealthy/risky behaviour, our natural instinct is to point it out and advise change
• the patient’s natural response is to defend the opposite (no change) side of the ambivalence coin

Question 4

aims of motivational interviewing

Answer 4

1. express empathy
2. develop discrepancy
3. avoid argumentation/roll with resistance
4. support self-efficacy/commitment

Question 5

expressing empathy

Answer 5

• empathy communicates acceptance while supporting the process of change
• acceptance facilitates change
• clinician seeks to build up rather than tear down
• skillful reflective listening is fundamental to expressing empathy *

Question 6

developing discrepancy

Answer 6

• motivation for change is enhance when clients perceive differences between their current situation and their hopes for the future
• developing awareness of consequences helps clients examine their behaviour
• a discrepancy between present behaviour and important goals motivates change
• the client should present the arguments for change

Question 7

appreciative inquiry

Answer 7

• an approach to personal change based on the assumption that questions and dialogue about strengths, values, hopes and dreams are transformed
• appreciative inquiry focuses on the strengths of the present and its impact on the future- not the problems of the present or past

Question 8

open ended questions

Answer 8

• asking open ended questions helps you understand your client’s POV and elicits their feelings about a given topic or situation
• open-ended questions facilitates dialogue; they cannot be answered with a single word or phrase and do not require any particular response