What IS the difference between being directive versus directional in your conversations with clients? In the latest Motivational Interviewing Forum co-author of MI Bill Miller discussed how essential directional statements are to change. In motivational interviewing we try to stay neutral in giving “directions” toward a specific outcome as it is human nature not to […]
Recently in the world of Motivational Interviewing the authors of the coding system (MITI 4.2.1) are asking this question. What does “cuddling the problem” look like and how does it change the direction of the session? If a client states: “I know I should drink less, but it’s the only way I know how to […]
If you could be a fly on the wall, what would you like to hear your client reveal to their friends about your session with them? Do you want to be seen as helpful and empathetic or someone who was trying to fix their situation? In Motivational Interviewing we call this the “righting reflex.” Bern Williams […]
How do you get to the why of someone’s motivation for change? WHY is a tricky word since asking why can be shaming depending on how you frame it. Rather than asking why do you do that (addiction, behavior challenges, etc.) try asking when things are working what helps or what makes this change important […]
Do you ever wake up in the morning with a heavy responsibility of solving the world’s problems? Clients comes to you in distress and are in want of help, answers, and direction or are they? What are they really needing from you? Do they really want advice and direction? Bernard Williams states unsolicited advice is […]