Motivational Interviewing: A Promising Practice for Refugee Resettlement

ABSTRACT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based clinical approach that aims to develop a working alliance between practitioner and client in order to engage a reluctant or involuntary client. This Practice Corner presents a conceptual foundation for the potential utility of Motivational Interviewing in enhancing practice outcomes with resettled refugees. The spirit, principles, skills, and evidence base of Motivational Interviewing are reviewed, and rationales for applying this approach with refugees are presented. Finally, implications for future research are proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• Motivational Interviewing
• refugees
• resettlement