Q&A

Understanding Motivational Interviewing

Understanding Motivational Interviewing

William Miller and Stephen Rollnick cover the ins and outs of Motivational Interviewing, a client-centered approach to behavior change.

Q
What do you see as the greatest benefit of Motivational Interviewing in a healthcare setting?
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Bill Miller:
Q
I'm interested in how you balance patient autonomy with eliciting change talk. What are some strategies to do this effectively?
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Bill Miller:
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Do I need to be thinking about/using the Stages of Change Model in order to effectively engage in Motivational Interviewing?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
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What do you do when your client's confidence or perceived ability to change is low?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
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Isn't there a tension between wanting to promote the well-being of the client but supporting their autonomy? Aren't we often disguising giving advice as eliciting certain change talk?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Can you comment on using MI to help clients sustain behavior changes?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
How do we maintain a 'non-judgemental' stance when there is risk involved?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Can motivational interviewing help with the hopelessness of depression?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Has motivational interviewing been used empirically for social problems such as racism or littering etc?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Is there much data to support the use of MI in reducing recidivism in offender populations?
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Bill Miller:
Q
Some clients talk a lot, so it is challenging to make reflections because they keep talking. Instead, I make more summaries in between. Is this the right way to handle it?
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Bill Miller:
Q
Can MI be utilised in a group setting? Or is it most effective one-on-one?
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Bill Miller:
Q
Can Motivational Interviewing be utilised with children? How is it adapted?
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Bill Miller:
Q
I work with a significant amount of patients who have a difficult time taking positive action towards their physical health. They know and value the importance of exercise and diet etc but just don’t follow through with action. Where do I start with MI with them?
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Bill Miller:
Q
I see many people a day, often with complex issues and feel tired and find it hard to “roll with the resistance”. Do you have any advice for me in having more patience in my clinical practice?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Has any research been done on using a motivational interviewing approach with adolescents who are self-harming or at risk for suicide?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Can you comment on using motivational interviewing in a domestic violence situation? My client has moments of wanting to leave the relationship but it is a very complex situation with children involved, financial issues and high levels of fear.
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Has motivational interviewing been used in couples counselling?
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Bill Miller:
Q
What are some barriers to MI being an effective intervention?
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Bill Miller:
Q
Can I use motivational interviewing with my 2-year old?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
I work in an inpatient setting with people who range from mild cognitive impairment to end stage dementia. Do you have some guidance on day-to-day interactions with them?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
I have a client who has resisted and/or refused every coping strategy or intervention that I have done. They seem to only want to vent or be rescued and don’t want to make any changes. I’m at a loss. I’ve tried rolling with resistance and reflective listening – basically I’ve tried OARS.
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
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I’m feeling challenged by a teen who was brought along by his parents. His standard reply is “I don’t know” or one word answers to questions. He is VERY comfortable with silence. Any ideas/advice would be appreciated.
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
What are the new directions in motivational interviewing?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
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Can you use motivational interviewing with young children?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Is MI particularly effective in certain settings? For instance, one-on-one sessions versus group or family?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
Q
Are there particular areas of MI research that you'd love to see developed further?
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Bill Miller:
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Stephen Rollnick:
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