Slot machines, My Smartphone, and MI
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat do these three things have in common? The lure of the all-powerful intermittent positive reinforcement. Let me back up here… I recently got back from a week-long vacation where there was NO CELL RECEPTION. And, just before this vacation, I...
Beware of “I Know”
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen you are sitting with a client and you start to get excited because you think you have identified what the problem is and what is needed to solve it, BEWARE! “I know” comes up for me when I think I’ve figured out: what the dilemma is...
What Helps You Stay in the Spirit of MI?
Reading Time: < 1 minutesI asked this question of my Foundations of MI training cohort today. MI spirit refers to the attitude or presence we bring to our clients. MI defines spirit as acceptance, compassion, partnership, evocation....
When In Doubt, Reflect!
Reading Time: 2 minutesI hear from training participants all of the time how useful reflective listening is!! One shared, “Today was such a good reminder that when I’m getting pulled into trying to change a client, to sit back and reflect.” You may have heard me...
Is Your Advice Monster Alive and Well?
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhen someone comes to you for help, it’s pretty darn natural to give advice. In Motivational Interviewing, The Righting Reflex refers to our natural tendency to give advice, persuade or convince another person to change. It’s...
Hillary Bolter