Definitions

Definition - What does Motivational Interviewing mean?

Motivational interviewing is a form of specialized treatment involving a trained counselor who conducts interventions with people who are currently experiencing ambivalence to changing a negative life situation. This notion indicates that people have conflicting feelings between a ?desire to change? and a ?reluctancy to change? based on opposite consequences that can impact people?s lives. An example might be adopting a nutritious diet combined with exercise or ceasing to consume alcohol and/or tobacco. Motivational interviewing is an informal approach that allows people, by means of encouragement, to take initiative by assuming full control to change their own lives with goal(s) of improvement.

SureHire explains Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing relates to an intervention process in which a skilled counselor conducts informal sessions with a person who is experiencing ambivalence to change a particular negative aspect about life, such as drinking and/or smoking, diet/nutrition, exercise, and coping with mental health issues. Motivational interviewing takes an impartial approach to helping others identify their needs to change in terms of cultivating a better quality of life for themselves. It is relatively common that people experience ambivalent feelings that can be oftentimes counter intuitive, or at odds with a preferred habit or lifestyle, for example, smoking abstinence can ensure greater longevity of life while, contrarily, it can cause weight gain.

Depending on the individual, weighing pros and cons is entirely subjective, therefore, motivational interviewing helps direct people through open-ended communication by engaging, encouraging, and strengthening goals to achieve change in life. Motivational interviewing is an interdisciplinary mode of treatment, addressing distinct areas of people?s lives, including alcohol and tobacco abstention, psychiatric wellness, and reintegration into a workplace environment. The underlying reasons for change can enhance the quality of one?s personal life, in addition, engendering a safer, more positive job experience at work that boosts morale, diminishes hostile behavior, and reduces turnover rate.