Motivational Interviewing
A collaborative, conversational method for working through ambivalence around behavior change, health goals, or habits, often used within another practice rather than as a standalone modality.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative counseling method designed to help people work through ambivalence about change, around substance use, health behaviors, or other habits, by exploring their own reasons for change rather than being told what to do. Developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, MI avoids confrontation and instead uses reflective listening and open-ended questions to help someone articulate their own motivation. It's worth knowing that MI is very often used as a skill embedded within another practice (therapy, health coaching, medical care) rather than delivered as a standalone, ongoing modality on its own, so ask how a given practitioner uses it.
A collaborative conversation style for working through ambivalence about change.
What to expect: Conversations are collaborative and non-directive in style, your practitioner will ask open-ended questions and reflect back what you say, helping you hear and clarify your own reasons for change rather than presenting arguments for change themselves. It's less about the practitioner convincing you of anything, and more about creating space for your own motivation to surface. MI is often woven into a handful of sessions within a broader course of care, rather than being a long-term standalone treatment.
Good fit for: You feel ambivalent, not fully resistant, about a specific change, You respond better to being asked questions than being given direction, You want a non-judgmental space to think through a decision
Explore for: Feeling ambivalent or stuck about a behavior change you know you want to make, Wanting a collaborative, non-judgmental conversation style rather than being told what to do, Substance use, health, or habit-related goals where motivation feels inconsistent, A history of feeling lectured to or confronted about a behavior, rather than supported
Not the right fit if: You're looking for a long-term, standalone therapeutic relationship, MI is often brief and change-focused, You want direct advice and structured guidance rather than a reflective conversation
How to choose a practitioner: Ask how they use MI, as a standalone offering or integrated into broader therapy, coaching, or medical care Ask about training, and whether they're connected to MINT (the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) Clarify what specific change or goal they have experience supporting
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