What is Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, evidence-based counselling style designed to help people work through ambivalence about change. It was developed by psychologists William Miller and Stephen Rollnick, originally in the context of addiction, and is now used across healthcare, mental health, and social services, often in brief sessions or as part of a longer course of treatment. Motivational Interviewing draws on a person’s own values and reasons rather than persuading or directing.
How Does Motivational Interviewing Work
Motivational Interviewing uses careful listening and specific kinds of questions to help people explore their own motivation. In practice, it tends to involve:
understanding the person’s own goals and values
exploring both sides of their ambivalence without judgment
drawing out the person’s own reasons for change
supporting their sense of choice and autonomy
Central to Motivational Interviewing (MI) are skills sometimes summarized as OARS: open questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries. The approach is collaborative, and the direction comes from the client rather than the counsellor.
How Motivational Interviewing Helps
Motivational Interviewing aims to strengthen a person’s own motivation, which research suggests is more durable than motivation imposed from outside. Because it is respectful of a person’s autonomy, Motivational Interviewing can be especially helpful at the early stages of change, before someone has fully committed to a decision. It is often used on its own as a first step, or to prepare for and support other forms of treatment.
Learn more: Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
Who Can Benefit from Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is commonly used for:
- substance use and recovery
- health and lifestyle changes
- decisions involving mixed feelings
People often come to motivational interviewing when they’re genuinely torn: part of them wants to change something and part of them doesn’t, and that tension has left them stuck. It can help when you’ve felt pushed or judged about a change in the past and want a space to think it through honestly, without pressure.
It tends to suit people who aren’t yet sure they’re ready, and who want their own reasons respected rather than someone else’s imposed on them. Motivational Interviewing is often brief, and is frequently used as a first step or woven into other treatment once a direction becomes clearer.
Therapy most often includes multiple approaches, shaped around what best fits for you. Your counsellor will work with you to design an approach that meets your needs.
Finding the Right Fit
Research consistently shows that a safe, trusting therapeutic relationship is one of the strongest predictors of positive outcomes in counselling. When helping you find a therapist, we consider:
- Your goals, concerns, and preferences
- Your past experiences with counselling (if any)
- Therapist expertise and clinical focus
- Personality, pace, and working style
- Therapeutic orientation and flexibility
Some clients come in knowing they are interested in a particular approach. Others have no idea where to begin—and both are completely valid. You do not need to choose a modality to start counselling. Our role is to help guide the process and support you in finding a therapist who feels like a good fit.
You can also explore therapist profiles on our Meet the Team page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Approaches
No. Many clients begin therapy without any knowledge of modalities. Your therapist will guide the process and adapt the work to what’s most helpful for you.
No. Therapists at River’s Edge work integratively, drawing from multiple evidence-based approaches as therapy unfolds.
Yes. If you have experience with or interest in a particular modality, we’re happy to take that into account when matching you with a therapist.
That’s very common. Therapy itself is a collaborative process of discovering what supports change for you.
Different approaches can be helpful for different people and concerns. Research shows that the quality of the therapeutic relationship and a flexible, responsive approach are key factors in effective therapy.