Primary Principles of Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a psychological process of a facilitator asking questions to a client to identify areas of emotional and mental confusion in order to bring clarity and freedom. The method is used to help motivate the client with positive thinking and the ability to focus on strengths instead of weaknesses. Motivational interviewing operates from four primary principles, according to institutefamily.org. The four basic principles are: a listening ear, identify contradictions, adjusting to resistance and self-confidence.

Listening Ear

• Motivational interviewing uses a nonconfrontational approach where the client is encouraged to share his difficulty, frustration and perspective on life without being judged or corrected. The facilitator encourages a safe and trustworthy environment for the client so he feels the freedom to not hold any thoughts back. The facilitator does not have to agree with everything the client says, but she does acknowledge the person’s feelings and perspective on the subject matter and empathizes with him. It is through listening to the client’s expressions that the facilitator is able to guide the interview.

Identify Contradictions

• Motivational interviewing is based primarily on the client’s ambivalence, a mixture of emotions. As the client talks about the issues in her heart, the interviewer asks the client questions that assist her in identifying contradictions between her desires, beliefs and needs and her current actions. This process helps the client to separate the two sides of the emotional confusion. Once the desire and negative action are identified, the client is able to understand her ambivalence.

Adjusting to Resistance

• When a person is resistant, he does not want to change. When the facilitator encounters resistance from the client, she will attempt to change directions and find another approach to help the client to see clearly. For example, if the facilitator was to tell the client he needs to stop smoking cigarettes to improve his health and he is defensive and resistant, the facilitator will deviate from that subject and attempt to find another way to help the client see his need for health improvements.

Promote Self-Confidence

• The focus of motivational interviewing is the client’s strengths. By encouraging the client in the areas of her life that are strong, the person’s self-confidence grows and creates motivation to continue to change. The facilitator takes note of the emotional accomplishment and highlights it for the client to see and respond to.