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What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based approach that is goal orientated and strengthens the individual’s motivation for change

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based approach that is a “directive, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behaviour change by helping patients to explore and resolve ambivalence”.²⁰

It is goal orientated, with the clinician focusing on intentionally facilitating change for the individual, that is pursuing their goal by eliciting ‘self-motivational’ statements.

It strengthens the individual’s motivation for change by creating a discrepancy between their current situation and the desired one. The aim is for the individual to present the arguments for change rather than against it.^{20, 21}

Positive behaviour change

Motivational interviewing is currently the only method that has consistently demonstrated effective outcomes that are causally and independently associated with positive behaviour change.²²

It can be done quite briefly (within 5 minutes) by asking one or two key questions, or it can be practiced more extensively (20-30 minutes) as part of a longer conversation. Alternatively, it can be carried out over the course of a number of follow up sessions.

Watch this short video, hosted on YouTube, which provides an introduction to using motivational interviewing in brief consultations:

_{Source: BMJ Learning, hosted on Youtube}