preview

The Theoretical Orientation Of Motivational Interviewing Essay

Decent Essays

The Theoretical Orientation of Motivational Interviewing
Psychologists William Miller, PhD. and Stephen Rollnick, PhD. developed the counseling approach known as Motivational Interviewing (MI). Motivational Interviewing evolved out of experience in the treatment of persons who were problem drinkers, and was first described by Miller in 1983. In 1991 Miller and Rollnick provided these techniques as a method that promotes and engages intrinsic motivation within the client in order to change behavior. MI is a client-centered counseling style that is goal -directed and brings about behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. Traditional Rogerian client-centered therapy does not guide or direct or focus in the way that MI therapists do to influence individuals to consider making changes, instead of non-directively explore themselves.
MI therapists prize the client when they are with the client. As in Person-Centered therapy, the client is regarded as the expert of his life. Within the client lies the will to change if it can be adequately identified and then encouraged to come out. Once encouraged and heard, the will to change can then be involved in planning a change. Carl Rogers developed a therapy method that trusted the client. His person-centered approach began with the client receiving and benefiting from a special status conferred upon him by the therapist. This theoretical approach pivots around the idea that clients have the ability to

Get Access