Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that helps people explore and resolve ambivalence about changing their behavior. It is based on four core principles: expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy.
The stages of motivational interviewing include:
1. Engaging: Establishing a therapeutic relationship and building rapport.
2. Focusing: Identifying and clarifying the client’s goals and values.
3. Evoking: Helping the client to explore and resolve ambivalence about changing their behavior.
4. Planning: Developing a plan for change and setting goals.
5. Reviewing: Evaluating progress and making adjustments to the plan.
Yes, motivational interviewing can be effective with clients misusing alcohol and other illegal substances. It helps clients to explore their ambivalence about changing their behavior and to develop a plan for change. It also helps to build a therapeutic relationship and to support self-efficacy, which can be especially important for clients with substance use disorders.