Motivational Interviewing Level 1

Motivational Interviewing is one of the most heavily researched interventions in the fields of addiction, behavioral health and medicine. Study after study has reliably demonstrated that implementing this practice with proficiency and consistency will improve outcomes for consumers of behavioral healthcare. MI is an approach that attempts to move an individual away from a state of indecision or uncertainty and towards finding motivation to making positive decisions and accomplishing established goals. MI as a directive, consumer-centered style of interacting with the goal of eliciting behavior change by helping individuals explore and resolve ambivalence. Rather than acting in an antagonistic or combative way, the helper engages with the consumer to explore his/her feelings, including ambivalence about changing, and help clients find their own motivations. The therapist becomes a person of support, allowing the consumer to make their own choices and arrive at their own conclusions without feeling outside pressure to do so.