A Brief Introduction To Motivational Interviewing-Slides

Slides

Pdf Summary

This document serves as an introduction to Motivational Interviewing (MI) within the framework of community support for substance use disorders, particularly focusing on the assistance provided by the Opioid Response Network (ORN). The ORN supports communities by offering resources and technical assistance to tackle the opioid and stimulant crisis, providing trained local consultants who implement evidence-based practices.<br /><br />Motivational Interviewing is highlighted as a key communication strategy centered on supporting change by fostering a partnership between counselor and client. Key components of this methodology include empathy, respect for autonomy, and promoting the client's own capacity for change. The technique encourages understanding the client's perspective and evoking intrinsic motivation, rather than directing or persuading clients how to change. <br /><br />The document emphasizes the spirit of MI, which encompasses four key tasks—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—and stresses the importance of “change talk” where clients express their desire, ability, reason, and need to change. Core communication skills known as OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries) are essential in MI practices. These skills help keep clients engaged and empowered, allowing them to lead the conversation and foster change from within.<br /><br />A persuasive exercise contrasts traditional advice-giving, often leading to negative reactions like defensiveness, with MI’s approach that helps clients feel understood, respected, and more open to change. This compassionate approach encourages self-motivated change rather than external pressure.<br /><br />Oriented towards enhancing skills, the text prompts practitioners to partake in exercises and reflections to differentiate directive approaches from MI, thus facilitating more effective and empathetic client interactions. Further, a survey link is provided to gauge satisfaction with the training, maintaining ORN funding.

Keywords

Motivational Interviewing

Opioid Response Network

substance use disorders

evidence-based practices

communication strategy

intrinsic motivation

change talk

OARS skills

empathetic client interactions

community support