motivational interviewing
Also written as: MI
Client-centered counseling approach designed to elicit behavior change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.
Full Definition
Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change. Developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, this approach emphasizes evoking the client's own motivation rather than imposing change from the outside. Key principles include expressing empathy, developing discrepancy between current behavior and goals, rolling with resistance rather than confronting it directly, and supporting self-efficacy. The technique is particularly effective in addiction treatment where ambivalence about change is common.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase 'interviewing' unless at the start of a sentence; the technique is collaborative, not interrogative.
In Context
- "Counselors received 40 hours of training in motivational interviewing techniques." — staff development plan
- "The study compared motivational interviewing to standard care in reducing alcohol consumption." — randomized controlled trial