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Abstract
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a directive client-centered counseling style that is designed to assist clients in exploring and resolving ambivalence to increase motivation for change. It proposes a model of motivation as a dynamic client characteristic that is particularly subject to the influence of therapist behaviors. From a transtheoretical perspective, MI assists client movement through the stages of change to the ‘action’ stage where engaging in change behaviors begins. MI is distinguished from other approaches by its empathic non-confrontive style and the stage-specific strategies it utilizes.
Eleven clinical trials have evaluated MI with several populations (nine with problem drinkers and two with drug abusers) in a variety of settings. Two studies have evaluated MI as a standalone intervention, three as an enhancement to existing treatment, five utilized MI in hospital settings, and one study compared it to an alternative group treatment. Most of these studies support MI as a useful clinical intervention. MI appears to be an effective, efficient, and adaptive therapeutic style worthy of further development, application, and research.