Motivational interviewing is "a collaborative, person‐centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.” 1 It's a means to work through 'stuck points' that may be preventing you from figuring out which direction you'd like to go with different situations, and to start making more progress toward your goals. This can be very effective in working through difficulties with achieving sobriety, quitting smoking, improving diet or exercise, or any other situation where it feels like one part of you wants to move forward while another part wants things to remain the same.

This process can build autonomy and collaboration in counseling, and empower survivors with safety and confidence as they build upon their skills and progress in recovery. I have a special appreciation for this approach, because it's driven by a spirit of respect and often works wonderfully for gaining traction when you feel like you're 'spinning wheels' and want to make more progress toward important changes.

1. An Overview of Motivational Interviewing (n.d.) Retrieved July 19th, 2013 from http://motivationalinterview.org/Documents/1%20A%20MI%20Definition%20Principles%20&%20 Approach%20V4%20012911.pdf.