I’m in “MI Recovery,” and I need regular meetings
Reading Time: 2 minutesI 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...
What if, Just for Today, You Fully Embodied the Spirit of Motivational Interviewing?
Reading Time: 2 minutesWhat does that mean anyhow? “Spirit of Motivational Interviewing!?” It actually clicked for me when I heard MI co-creator Steven Rollnick call it “attitude” rather than spirit. Yes, the ATTITUDE I bring to clients absolutely impacts the...
But My Client Isn’t Talking! Using MI in Those Awkward Silences
Reading Time: 2 minutes“How can I use MI when my client isn’t talking?” We have all been there, sitting with a less-than-talkative client as the seconds and minutes tick by. What should I say? Do I fill the space? Do I wait for them to break the...
What You Believe Matters (For Client Outcomes)
Reading Time: 2 minutesSometimes in a training, I’ll toss up a slide that says this: Do you believe that people are doing the best they can with what they have, at any given moment? Sometimes, I’ll create breakout groups to discuss this. Some folks quickly come to a...
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...
Hillary Bolter