You may be asking: what is motivational interviewing? This tool can be a very helpful but simple tool. It's possible to help people find motivation to create positive lifestyle changes by using motivational interviewing techniques. Motivational interviewing assumes people with less-than-ideal behaviors are at various stages of preparedness for making changes. This tool can be especially helpful for people who are ambivalent about building new lifelong habits. These can include starting a healthier diet, quitting smoking or drinking, exercising more, better-managing stress, etc.

Motivational interviewing asks open-ended questions such as "What worries you about changing your diet?" Counselors and doctors work as partners with their patients, using empathy and compassion for where their patients are in life. Practitioners use active listening, positive affirmation of what the client is saying, and encourage self-motivational statements. Motivation is found by exploring and reinforcing each client's reasons for change.

Can You Do This?

Finding a professional to support you with positive life changes is always best. But, you can use these tools at home in your own life. Start by getting yourself a journal and listing a problematic behavior you are thinking about changing. Then, write down any concerns you have with the change. Next, explore the pros and cons of the new behavior. Finally, decide what you would like to accomplish and the next step for achieving your desired goal. This tool isn't helpful for everyone, but putting things into perspective as well as understanding yourself better can be powerful.

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Resources:

1. Bischof, Gallus et al. 2021. "Motivational Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Approach for Use in Medical Practice." Deutsches Arzteblatt international; 118(7): 109-115. doi:10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0014
2. Psychology Today Staff. N.D. "Motivational Interviewing." Revised Feb. 2024. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/motivational-interviewing
3. Unwanted Life. 2020. "How To Adapt Motivational Interviewing For Self-Help." https://unwantedlife.me/motivational-interviewing-self-help