The Spirit of MI Flashcards
What are the elements of MI?
MI Spirit = compassion, acceptance, partnership, evocation
MI techniques = relational techniques, content-based techniques
MI Spirit
The most important part of MI.
Most consistently related to behaviour change.
MI is the intersection of compassion, acceptance, partnership, and evocation.
MI Spirit: Partnership
Active and equal collaboration.
MI is done for and with the person.
The individual is the expert
-the goal is to create a positive social environment that activates their expertise.
-your expertise compliments this.
Traps associated with the partnership aspect of the MI spirit…
Expert trap and righting reflex
Expert Trap
Taking the position that you are the expert and know more than the client.
Thinking that you are in control.
-monitor your aspirations
Righting reflex
Desire to fix/correct the person.
That you need to persuade someone into changing.
MI Spirit: Acceptance
4 subcategories include absolute worth, affirmation, autonomy, and accurate empathy.
Absolute Worth
Prizing the inherent worth and potential of every individual (vs judgement)
Affirmation
to seek and acknowledge the individual’s strengths and efforts (vs searching for what’s wrong)
Autonomy
honouring and respecting that the individual has the freedom to choose/do what they wish (vs forcing/directing)
Accurate empathy
an active interest in and effort to understand the other’s internal perspective to see the world through their eyes (vs imposing your opinion)
Traps associated with acceptance aspect of the spirit of MI…
Assessment trap
Assessment Trap
That obtaining a lot of information is a prerequisite for getting help.
Just you asking questions and the client answering.
MI Spirit: Compassion
To actively and deliberately promote the other’s welfare and to give priority to their needs in a genuine way.
Cannot practice the other 3 components without compassion (prevents self-interest).
Traps associated with the compassion aspect of MI spirit…
Labelling trap
Blaming trap
Labelling Trap
Labelling the individual.
You’re in denial or you’re lazy.
Blaming Trap
Blaming the client.
It’s your fault that you aren’t active.
MI Spirit: Evocation
The assumption that the individual has all the resources they need to change, and you are helping them to draw out and strengthen those inner resources.
Getting people to resolve their ambivalence can help people change their behaviour and maintain this change.
Traps associated with the evocation aspect of MI spirit…
Chat trap
Premature focus trap
Chat trap
Just chatting with the client without focus.
Forgetting the purpose.
Premature focus trap
Focusing too early
Before the individual has built motivation.
Important Feature of MI
MI is not a squeaky way of getting people to change.
MI is used in conjunction with other behaviour change strategies and theories.
Practical Tips
Clarify expectations and goal from the start.
Be genuine
Take your time getting to know the client very well in all aspects (their values, goals, priorities, lifestyle).
Silence is good
Fill your cup first.
