Motivational Interviewing is person-centered counseling style that utilizes collaborative conversation with a focus on the client’s own goals and motivations, typically specific to substance misuse or other behavioral challenges. The therapist helps the client explore their goals, next steps, and reasons for change within an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion.

The most current version of MI is described in detail in Miller and Rollnick (2013) Motivational Interviewing: Helping people to change (3rd edition). Key qualities include:

• MI is a guiding style of communication, that sits between following (good listening) and directing (giving information and advice).
• MI is designed to empower people to change by drawing out their own meaning, importance and capacity for change.
• MI is based on a respectful and curious way of being with people that facilitates the natural process of change and honors client autonomy.