Motivational Interviewing graphic with a signpost labeled Explore, Reflect, Consider, Choose, and Move Forward, symbolizing ambivalence, readiness for change, autonomy, and collaborative decision-making.

What Is Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing, often called MI, is a collaborative approach designed to help people explore their own reasons for change.

It is especially useful when part of you wants something to be different while another part feels unsure, resistant, overwhelmed, or not ready.

Rather than telling you what you should do, MI focuses on helping you clarify what matters to you, what concerns you have about change, and what may be getting in the way.

The goal is not to pressure you. It is to help you hear your own motivation more clearly.

Ambivalence Is Normal

People often assume that if they really wanted to change, they would simply do it.

In reality, ambivalence is common.

You may want to stop drinking while also worrying about what sobriety would mean socially. You may want to leave a relationship while still feeling attached. You may want to reduce stress while continuing to say yes to everything. You may want help while also feeling unsure whether therapy will make a difference.

MI treats that ambivalence as something to understand, not something to argue with.

What MI Is Not

Motivational Interviewing is not about confrontation, persuasion, or trying to “break through denial.”

It is not about the therapist deciding what change you should make and then finding a way to convince you.

Instead, MI emphasizes curiosity, respect, autonomy, and collaboration.

That means your goals matter. Your concerns matter. Your pace matters.

Related Concerns

Motivational Interviewing may be helpful when working with concerns such as addiction and recovery, problem gambling, anxiety, burnout, emotional regulation, life transitions, relationship concerns, and co-occurring disorders.

Readiness for

Change Can Shift

One of the important parts of MI is paying attention to what is sometimes called change talk.

This may sound like:

“I don’t want to keep doing this.”
“I know something has to change.”
“I’ve handled hard things before.”
“I would feel better if…”
“I’m tired of how this is affecting my life.”

Those statements matter because motivation is often stronger when it comes from you rather than from someone else telling you what to do.

Change Talk &

Your Own Reasons

People are not always equally ready to make a change.

You may be not yet considering change, thinking about it, preparing to act, actively making changes, or working to maintain them. You may also move back and forth between these stages rather than progressing in a straight line.

Motivational Interviewing can be especially useful because the conversation can be adapted to where you are right now.

Someone who is unsure whether they even want to change may need something very different from someone who has already decided to make a change and is trying to figure out how.

The goal is not to push you into the “next stage.” It is to understand your current readiness, explore what matters to you, and support movement when you are ready.

What It May Look
Like in Session

MI often focuses on several core ideas:

Exploring what matters most to you
Understanding your reasons for and against change
Identifying discrepancies between current behavior and personal values
Strengthening confidence
Noticing language that reflects motivation for change
Supporting autonomy and choice
Helping you identify realistic next steps

The therapist may ask questions, reflect back what they hear, summarize patterns, and help you explore both sides of a decision.

How I Use
Motivational Interviewing

I use Motivational Interviewing as both a specific approach and a way of thinking about change.

If you feel stuck, uncertain, or pulled in two directions, I may spend time helping you explore what each part of the conflict is trying to protect or accomplish.

I may ask questions designed to help you clarify what matters, reflect the reasons you give for change, or help you notice when your current behavior and your longer-term goals are moving in different directions.

I am not interested in pushing you toward a decision simply because I think it is the “right” one.

The goal is to help you move toward change in a way that feels more intentional, realistic, and connected to your own values.

MI & Addiction Treatment

Motivational Interviewing has a particularly strong fit with addiction and recovery work because people often enter treatment with mixed feelings about change.

Someone may recognize that alcohol or drug use is creating problems while still feeling unsure about stopping. Another person may want sobriety but feel fearful about cravings, relationships, or life without substances.

MI allows those mixed feelings to be discussed openly rather than treated as resistance or failure.

That can make it easier to build motivation that feels personally meaningful rather than externally imposed.

MI & Other
Therapy Approaches

Motivational Interviewing can be used alongside other approaches such as:

For me, MI fits naturally within a person-centered approach because both emphasize respect, collaboration, and the belief that meaningful change is more sustainable when it is connected to the client’s own goals and values.

Ready to Get Started?

Ready to schedule therapy?

Visit Healthstead Psychiatry for scheduling, availability, and insurance information.

Not sure yet?

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