Motivational interviewing is a form of therapy that encourages the individual to examine how they can take steps towards positive change. This therapy focuses on individual strengths and motivations to start making positive changes and build positive skills on the way to recovery. Motivational interviewing is based on positive affirmations. Living in the cycle of addiction can leave individuals feeling hopeless and helpless. By taking small steps, with our team’s support at TruHealing Baltimore, clients can take the first step towards regaining control.

What Is Motivational Interviewing?

There are numerous therapeutic options our clinical team can use when individuals come to our facility. Motivational interviewing is a therapy that’s proven very useful in improving individuals’ mental health and helping those struggling to overcome a substance use disorder.

This type of counseling encourages clients to motivate themselves through deep reflection. By making clear just what an individual’s goals and desires are, clients are better positioned to work with their therapist to construct an effective course of action to achieve those goals. The process is guided by five principles therapists or counselors follow:

1. Express and show empathy
2. Support and develop discrepancy
3. Deal with resistance
4. Support self-efficacy
5. Self-sufficiency

These five principles help guide patients as they commit to their mental health. This sort of program may be right for you or a loved one if any of the following applies:

• You recognize that alcohol or drugs are bad for you.
• You understand that drugs can be life-threatening.
• There’s a part of you that wants to keep using.
• There’s another part of you that wishes you didn’t start.
• You want to stop, but not enough to quit outright.

Like other talk therapy, motivational interviewing is conducted in a safe, controlled environment so individuals can confront their issues without negativity or undue judgment. Whether just working one-on-one with a therapist or counselor or in a group therapy setting, individuals develop realistic ways to reach their goals. Since this treatment focuses on establishing obtainable goals and committing to pursuing those goals, it is an extremely useful tool for helping patients change their lives. Asserting and developing control over one’s behavior and action is at the core of motivational interviewing.

What to Expect from Motivational Interviewing

Usually, a motivational interviewing session is structured like a standard individual therapy session. Like most talk therapy, the client is centered and in control of the conversation. The counselor or therapist encourages openness and assertiveness. In a group therapy setting, motivational interviewing can involve small groups, one-on-ones shared with the larger group or each member of the group taking a turn in the process with the counselor or therapists as moderator. In a group setting, individuals give the most feedback and different points of view to adjust and focus on their goals and plans.

When in group therapy or family therapy session using motivational interviewing, listening is as important as speaking. It’s vital to express yourself as clearly as you can and learn to listen to what others are saying and the feedback they are giving. In this way, individuals can better hone their methods for achieving their goals while also improving their communication skills by providing detailed and committed responses to others.

Discover What TruHealing Baltimore Has to Offer

Motivational interviewing is just one of the therapeutic options we offer at TruHealing Baltimore. Individuals will take advantage of cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and many others as they enter an addiction treatment program appropriate to their needs. Our level of care include:

• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient program
• Outpatient addiction treatment
• Sober living program

Throughout all our therapies and programs, individuals will find empathy and optimism as our team of clinicians strive to help clients return to full health. Reach out to us today by calling 833.782.2241 to learn more.