Motivational Interviewing
What Is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, client-centered approach that helps people explore their own reasons for making changes. Rather than telling someone what they should do, MI helps clients identify what matters to them, understand their options, and strengthen their motivation for change. People can often feel conflicted about making a change—even when they know that change may be helpful. Motivational Interviewing provides a supportive space to work through that uncertainty without judgment or pressure.
How Does Motivational Interviewing Work?
Motivational Interviewing focuses on collaboration, curiosity, and helping clients identify their own goals and values.
A clinician may help you:
- Explore what you want to change and why
- Identify your personal reasons for making a change
- Work through uncertainty or mixed feelings
- Recognize your strengths and resources
- Consider the benefits and challenges of different choices
- Develop confidence in your ability to make meaningful changes
The goal is not to pressure you into change. Instead, the process helps you develop greater clarity and make decisions that are consistent with your goals and values.
Who Can Benefit From Motivational Interviewing?
MI can be helpful for people who feel uncertain or conflicted about making a change. It can also be useful when someone understands that a change may be beneficial but is having difficulty taking the next step.
MI may be appropriate for people who:
- Feel stuck or unsure about making a change
- Have mixed feelings about changing a behavior
- Want to build confidence in their ability to make changes
- Are working toward personal, health, or behavioral goals
Want a collaborative and nonjudgmental approach to change
What Can Motivational Interviewing Help With?
Motivational Interviewing can be incorporated into treatment for a variety of concerns, particularly when motivation, ambivalence, or readiness for change is part of the challenge.
It may be helpful when addressing:
- Behavioral changes
- Difficulty getting started with change
- Uncertainty about treatment or personal goals
- Habits or behaviors that a person would like to change
- Adjustment to significant life changes
- Health-related behavior changes
- Personal growth and goal development
Motivational Interviewing at Modern Me Psychology
At Modern Me Psychology, Motivational Interviewing can be incorporated into individualized treatment to help clients explore their goals and develop motivation for meaningful change.
Your clinician will work collaboratively with you to understand what you want for your life, what may be getting in the way, and what steps feel realistic and meaningful to you.
Our Clinicians Who Use Motivational Interviewing
Related Approaches
Depending on your needs and treatment goals, Strengths-Based Therapy may be used alongside approaches such as:
Ready to Get Started?
If you are thinking about making a change but are not sure where to begin, therapy can provide a supportive place to explore your options.
Services are available in person at our Roselle, Illinois office and through telehealth for clients located in Illinois.
We accept several insurance plans, and coverage varies by plan and clinician. Contact us to confirm your benefits and whether your preferred provider and service are covered.