I was facilitating one of the advanced MI Uplevel sessions the other day, and a participant asked about the relationship between Motivational Interviewing and peer coaching.
She named that those in the peer support coaching realm utilize self-disclosure as an integral part of relationship building with clients, and wondered how this fits or doesn’t fit with MI.
Some deep discussion followed! I will share some of the thoughts collected by this advanced group!
- Sharing can be a powerful tool in supporting others with change. We recognize that it can be one of MANY tools, and there are times where it is helpful to pick it up or set it down and focus instead of truly listening.
- One question to ask ourselves before sharing or disclosing can be, “Is sharing in the best interest of the client right now?” Staffing with colleagues or supervisors can be a helpful way to flesh this out, to consider the ways sharing our stuff could potentially backfire in the relationship or could be more about meeting our needs to share rather than what would be conducive to the client at that time.
- What boundaries and guidelines are in place? Your role in many ways will determine self-disclosure (peer, licensed therapist, physician, etc.). Your license and/or your job may have guidelines on this, and should be taken into consideration! See bullet two, staffing with colleagues or supervisors can be helpful in setting and maintaining boundaries!
So, if we have considered these three questions, and we decide to disclose personal information, how can this stay in line with Motivational Interviewing?
- Ask permission first! When we ask permission before disclosing, it keeps us in line with Motivational Interviewing. “Would now be a good time to share a bit about my journey?” or “Would you like to hear about my experiences with ____?”
- Following up your share by checking in with how your story may fit or not fit in terms of what they are experiencing. The impact of your story may not have the impact you thought! Good to check!
I have experienced over many years of working as a helping professional that I can build solid engagement with clients through practicing empathy, curiosity, and deep listening. Self-disclosure is not required in building helping relationships! AND, self-disclosure can be a tool that supports clients in their change process, just as it can be a tool we consciously avoid using if it’s not in the best interest of the client at that moment.
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Ultimately, Motivational Interviewing invites us to ask ourselves, “What is in the best interest of the client?” This is rooted in the spirit of Motivational Interviewing, Compassion.
