Motivational Interviewing Therapy (MI)
MI therapy is practiced in Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London and the surrounding areas. Anchoridge Counselling takes pride in the therapy practice offered to help clients with individual needs.
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a counselling approach designed to help individuals resolve ambivalence and find the internal motivation necessary to change their behaviour. It is a practical, empathetic, and short-term process that acknowledges the difficulty of making life changes while empowering individuals to take control of their decisions.
Developed by psychologist William R. Miller in 1983 and further refined with psychologist Stephen Rollnick, MI is rooted in Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach. It is built on the understanding that people resist change when they feel pressured but are more likely to embrace it when they discover their own reasons for transformation. As Rollnick explains, “Put simply, this involves coming alongside the person and helping them to say why and how they might change for themselves.”
When It's Used Motivational interviewing is particularly useful in addressing addiction, health conditions, and behavioral changes. It can also be a preparatory step for other, more structured therapies. Research suggests MI is especially effective for individuals who are initially unmotivated or resistant to change.
Common applications of MI include:
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Substance use disorder
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Smoking cessation
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Weight management
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Medication adherence
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Cancer and diabetes care
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Health behavior improvements in children
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The approach is guided by four key principles:
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Express Empathy – Therapists actively listen and validate the client’s feelings, reinforcing that they are understood and supported.
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Support Self-Efficacy – Clients are encouraged to recognize their strengths and past successes, building confidence in their ability to change.
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Roll with Resistance – Instead of confronting resistance, therapists help clients explore different perspectives and develop solutions themselves.
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Develop Discrepancy – Clients are guided to recognize gaps between their current behaviors and future goals, encouraging them to take steps toward positive change.
To apply these principles effectively, therapists use the OARS framework:
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Open-ended questions to encourage reflection.
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Affirmations to highlight strengths and past successes.
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Reflections to validate feelings and address inconsistencies.
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Summaries to reinforce insights and progress.
