Motivational Interviewing

What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative approach to conversation that helps people explore their own reasons for a particular change. It gives attention to ambivalence, personal priorities, and commitment while respecting the person’s choices.

The Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers describes MI as a guiding approach grounded in partnership, acceptance, compassion, and drawing out the person’s own motivations. It differs from confronting someone, giving unsolicited advice, or using a script to pressure them into a decision.

MI is used in health and other behavior-change settings. Helping someone articulate a reason to change is only one part of the problem. Whether MI leads to the intended behavior depends on the application and needs outcome evidence, not just a description of a good conversation.

An illustrative exchange

Practitioner: “What would being more active make possible for you?”
Person: “I want more energy for playing with my children, but I hate going to the gym.”
Practitioner: “Having energy for your children matters to you, and the gym does not feel like a good fit.”
Practitioner: “What, if anything, would you like to try?”

The first question is open, and the response reflects both the reason for change and the reservation. The practitioner does not replace the person’s reason with a lecture or insist on the gym. The person chooses whether to propose a next step. This hypothetical exchange illustrates part of MI; it is not a complete treatment session or evidence that the conversation changes behavior.