Change is difficult, even when you want it. You may know that something in your life needs to shift, but knowing and doing are not the same thing. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic approach that helps you work through ambivalence and move toward the changes that matter to you, without pressure, judgment or someone telling you what to do.
At Artisan Counseling, our licensed counselors use MI as part of individual counseling, often alongside other modalities, to support clients who are working through uncertainty about change.
MI was developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick in the 1980s. It was originally used in the treatment of substance use but has since been applied to a wide range of concerns where motivation and ambivalence are central.
MI is built on a simple premise: people are more likely to change when they arrive at their own reasons for doing so. When someone is told they need to change, they often resist. When they are helped to explore their own values, goals and concerns, the motivation to act becomes internal and more durable.
MI is not a technique that is done to you. It is a collaborative conversation guided by four principles:
Expressing empathy. Your counselor listens without judgment and reflects back what you are saying so you feel heard.
Developing discrepancy. Your counselor helps you see the gap between where you are and where you want to be, without pointing it out for you.
Rolling with resistance. If you push back or express doubt, your counselor does not argue. They work with your resistance rather than against it.
Supporting self-efficacy. Your counselor reinforces your ability to make changes and reminds you of the strengths and resources you already have.
Research supports MI as an effective approach. A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that MI produces positive outcomes across substance use, health behavior change, treatment engagement and mental health concerns.
MI is commonly used for:
MI is often used as the starting point in treatment, helping you build clarity and commitment before moving into deeper therapeutic work.
MI sessions are conversational and client-directed. Your counselor will ask open-ended questions, reflect what you say and help you explore both sides of your ambivalence.
You will not be given instructions or told what to do. Instead, your counselor will guide you through a process where you articulate your own values, examine your own concerns and arrive at your own conclusions about what you want to change and how.
Sessions may include:
MI can be used in a few sessions or woven into longer-term treatment depending on your needs.
No. While MI was originally developed for substance use treatment, it is now used across a wide range of concerns involving ambivalence and behavior change.
MI is specifically focused on motivation and readiness for change. It is often used alongside other modalities such as CBT or DBT as a way to build engagement and commitment.
No. MI is non-directive. Your counselor helps you find your own reasons for change rather than prescribing a course of action.
MI can produce results in as few as one to four sessions. It is often used as a component within a broader treatment plan.
MI is delivered within the context of licensed counseling and billed as a standard session. Most insurance plans cover it. Contact our office at 757.503.2819 to verify.