I recently had a training inquiry from a fellow who works in a substance abuse treatment program. He shared that he was feeling burned out, like he was working harder than his clients, and he was beginning to feel frustrated and resentful.
He asked if learning Motivational Interviewing would be helpful for him right now.
I felt myself swell up inside.
Did he know this is EXACTLY what MI helps with??
I shared with him that MI helps providers:
- Step out of the role of convincing and persuading clients to change
- Increase collaboration with clients
- Evoke clients internal motivation for change
- Shift the responsibility of change off our shoulders
- Support clients in feeling and owning their change process
- Be more efficient and effective
Then, we talked about the process of learning MI, because he shared that he’s read the book on it (the main MI book is Motivational Interviewing, 3rd edition by Miller & Rollnick, 2013). He named he is struggling with moving out of the theoretical world of MI and into the practical world.
And this is where I see people get stumped all the time.
We can know about the concepts of MI, what MI is, and even how to do it. (And I could describe to you how to play a soccer game. But I don’t play very well because I don’t practice regularly!)
People “know about” MI, but don’t feel confident integrating it into practice regularly.
I see helping professionals sometimes repeat MI trainings, or take many levels of trainings. (Hey, I took the intro training twice!). IT IS SO EASY to fall back into those tendencies to persuade and champion change, and the cycle of burnout and frustration continues.
I need MI recovery.
If someone is in substance abuse recovery, and they are trying to not use substances, it’s not usually a “one and done” treatment. People go repeatedly to meetings, groups, therapy, church, or whatever it is that helps refresh, reiterate and cultivate new skills and behaviors.
It takes boosters, it takes continued refreshers to help us LIVE INTO the way of being and skills of Motivational Interviewing. That’s why I design my courses with weekly skills practice opportunities, because not only do I need that weekly MI recovery meeting, you may too!
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: What would help you live into “MI recovery” this week, and release that tendency to convince or persuade or champion change with clients? What supports your continued learning and practice?
