MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Introduction

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is widespread for substance abuse rehabilitation professionals to speak of the process of recovering from a drug/alcohol use problem as if this were a single step. In reality the addictions “are often wrongly viewed as acute conditions, like a broken leg or infection, that can be fixed by brief episodes of treatment”. Thus, recovery from this disorder is a process, which, like life itself, has a definite beginning, but no definite end point. (Polcin 2006, 201-209)

Case 1

Identification Of Client Problems

The use of decisional balance can be very useful in identifying the Jason's problems. It is a method to investigate the cons and pros of changing. It can be enquired from the client that:

What are some causes for making a change?

What are some causes for having things the way they are?

What are some of the things you hate about ____________?

What are some of the good things about _________?

Description Of Therapeutic Technique

Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be effectively used in this scenario where the client has been using Heroin for the past 3 years. (Hettema 2005, 91-111)

Analysis And Critique Of Approach Suggested

In their work, Miller and Rollnick have stressed that the counselling style or philosophy - a therapeutic partnership or alliance - is more salient than the individual techniques that are used, emphasizing that confrontation of certain behaviours is an essential goal, but an ineffective interpersonal style. Applying this 'style' to addressing offending behaviour, David Hawkins (2002) has added that success in facilitating change 'occurs not by attacking the negative, but by fostering the positive'. (Mann 2002, 25)

Any behaviour change involves commitment and effort. On top of this, the criminal justice context presents particular challenges to those who assist offenders.

Case 2

Identification Of Client Problems

The use of decisional balance can be very useful in identifying the Jason's problems. It is a method to investigate the cons and pros of changing. It can be enquired from the client that:

What are some causes for making a change?

What are some causes for having things the way they are?

What are some of the things you hate about ____________?

What are some of the good things about _________?

Description Of Therapeutic Technique

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centred, goal-oriented therapeutic method to enhance readiness for change. MI helps people to explore and resolve ambivalence, to commit to change and to desist from harmful behaviours. It is a collaborative and respectful method, and research indicates it is a promising intervention.

Motivational interviewing (MI) can help with the challenges faced by Alice. MI does not seek to correct thinking or to instil knowledge, insight, skills or even motivation itself. MI draws out the offender's own values and motivations and explores how these may be used to change his or her behaviour. Rather than taking the expert role, the MI practitioner communicates 'You have what you need to make a change' rather than 'I have what you need'. (Miller 2002, 47-50)

MI research indicates that a verbalized intention to change is particularly promising ...