Everyone wants autonomy!
We want our views and decisions for ourselves to be respected.
In Motivational Interviewing, we first remember that people are entitled to make their own decisions, even if we disagree with them.
And then, we take a second step to voice this recognition out loud.
We make sure to say something like, “This is your decision to make,” “I trust that you know what is best for you,” or, “You know what you need to do for yourself.”
It’s often best to verbalize an autonomy-supporting statement right at the beginning of a conversation, especially if we know or see that our client is coming to us guarded or ready to defend their point of view.
This stance can be referred to as a “shoulders up” presentation.
We want our clients to be “shoulders down,” feeling at ease, supported, and open to sharing and receiving ideas and information.
Offering a statement of autonomy right away can set the stage for stronger engagement and, with that, a better likelihood that our client will feel comfortable talking to us about change.
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Consider ways to voice recognition of your client’s autonomy at the beginning and throughout your conversation. Notice how this can enhance engagement and aid in a more productive and supportive process for change!
