Frequently Asked Questions

What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing or “MI” is an evidence-based communication style widely used by counselors, nurses, and other health professionals to talk about making healthy changes or committing to treatment. MI is based on the premise that the best way to influence another person’s behavior is by respecting their autonomy and creating space for them to explore their own ambivalence and (hopefully) motivation for change. Research shows that when professionals use MI, patients are more likely to make healthy changes like reducing smoking and drinking.

What is motivational interviewing for loved ones?

We can’t control other people’s behavior, even in our own families. Even if we threaten consequences or offer rewards, they might just go their own way. What we really want is partnership: a relationship in which we can respectfully communicate with family members about important decisions. The stronger the relationship, the more your relative will care about your opinions and follow your advice. Motivational interviewing offers a toolbox of skills for escaping destructive power struggles and building partnership. I adapted motivational interviewing for loved ones so that families can learn these skills and use them to have successful conversations about virtually anything.

Can parents learn motivational interviewing?

Yes! In our studies, we evaluate parents’ motivational interviewing skills through a rigorous, standardized, blinded rating system. In my research studies, my colleagues and I found that most caregivers mastered the basic communication techniques after four or five sessions of coaching.

What are the benefits of learning how to do motivational interviewing?

If you are a health care provider, motivational interviewing is an evidence-based strategy for promoting health behavior change. Using MI strategies will help you to avoid arguing with or lecturing at your patients and have more meaningful conversations about the pro’s and con’s of medication adherence, dietary change, quitting smoking, or getting vaccinated.

If you are a manager or supervisor, learning motivational interviewing skills can help you to build stronger rapport with your employees, learn about what’s really happening in your company, and empower people to solve vexing problems.

If you are a parent or family caregiver, motivational interviewing offers a toolkit to help you feel more confident, less stressed, and more impactful with your teen and young adult children. Parents can use MI to encourage positive behaviors like helping with chores or to promote more responsibility and self-sufficiency in teens. I have conducted extensive research on the impact of MI training for parents - see my research results summarized below.

Can I train as a Motivational Interviewing for Loved Ones or School of Hard Talks facilitator?

Yes! Learn more about what I offer for training and consultation or contact me to figure out the best plan for your goals and organization.

Have you evaluated your curriculum or training? What outcomes did you find?

I have conducted three clinical trials testing the effects of individual and group motivational interviewing training for parents. A feasibility trial found that parents and other family caregivers embraced the approach and couldn’t wait to try their new skills at home with their families. A randomized controlled trial found that parents who participated motivational interviewing training had less conflict with their children, less stress, and less burn-out and resentment compared to parents who were randomly assigned to a waitlist.

Here are some representative quotes from parents who noticed changes in themselves and their families after learning MI skills through one of my programs.

  • We are happier and more calm. We still have some problems but I feel like I can talk about important things more often. I'm the past I have avoided important conversations because I wasn't sure how to talk with her.

  • I have been able to listen and respond to family members with less drama, more empathy and understanding. I have learned to be less reactive and less judgmental, to accept where family members are and respect their efforts to express their feelings.

  • The children are willing to listen to me not just dismiss what I am saying.

  • Conversations are not as intense or volatile. I have incorporated skills that help me cope and thus, help my children.

Both group training and individual coaching yielded statistically significant, clinically meaningful changes in stress, conflict, expressed emotion, and self-confidence that were observed immediately after the training and showed no signs of diminishing when we assessed parents again 12 weeks later.