How to Increase Motivation in Your

StudentsMegyn Shea, PhD

NYIT

Agenda Stages of change

General Principles of MI

How MI Works

What to Avoid

Ambivalence

Change Talk

IntroductionsWhat is your experience with motivational

interviewing and/or stages of change?

What setting are you in?

What would you like to get out of this workshop?

What is MI?

“Motivational interviewing is a person-centered counseling style for addressing the common

problem of ambivalence about change.”

Miller & Rolnick, 2013, p. 29

Think of a behavior you would like to change.

Stages of ChangePrecontemplation

Unwilling or unable to change in foreseeable futureUnaware or under aware of consequences of problems

Contemplation aware of the consequencesConsidering changeAmbivalent (“I do, but I don’t)

Preparation Committed to change, but considering actions to take

Action individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome problems requires considerable commitment of time and energy

Maintenance people work to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action

What types of behaviors do you want students to change?

Precontemplation• Counselor

Goal: Encourage the student to think about and discuss his/her problem behaviors. Notice any discrepancy.

Contemplation

• Counselor Goal: Help the student evaluate her choices regarding change options. Explore pros and cons.

Preparation• Counselor Goal: Help the student prepare a plan for change. Help the student come up with solutions to problems they may encounter.

Action• Counselor Goal: Affirm the student’s successful behavior changes and support the them in addressing barriers to change

Maintenance• Counselor

Goal: Reinforce the student’s commitment to change. Explore disappointments, temptations, and doubts.

How do you think students react when we tell them how they need to change?

Q: What happens when adults tell you how to change?

A: “It feels like an insult and makes me want to act worse.”

MI & AmbivalenceCommon pattern-think of reasons to change, not

to, stop thinking

Most common place to get stuck

Arguments for and against already reside within the ambivalent personFor=Change Talk

Against=Sustain Talk

What do we often say about kids who come across as ambivalent about changing something we want

them to change?

MI and the Righting ReflexHelper takes “good” parts

Tells why and how to change

Problems:Heard it beforePredictable response (Yes, but…)

MI and Continuum of Styles

Directing -----------Guiding------------Following

Directing Style

Guiding Style

Following Style

Authorize Accompany Attend

Command Assist Be responsive

Decide Collaborate Be with

Govern Encourage Shadow

MI & the Righting Reflex

Desire to “fix” what is wrong with people

Relies on directing

Involves convincing and persuading

The Spirit of MICollaborative Partnership

Absolute WorthPrizing the worth and potential of every human

being

Accurate EmpathyActive interest to understand other’s internal

perspective

The Spirit of MI (cont.)Affirmation

Seek and acknowledge person’s strengths

CompassionActively promote the other’s welfare, to give

priority to the other’s needs

Core Interviewing Skills: OARS

Open-ended questions

Affirmation

Reflective listening

Summary

Practice Change Conversations

Why would you want to make this change?

How might you go about it in order to succeed?

What are the three best reasons for you to do it?

How important is it for you to make this change, and why?

Then summarize

So what do you think you’ll do?

The Evoking ProcessEliciting change talk

Noticing, highlighting: desire, ability, reason, or need to change

Become interested and curious

A clear focus is a prerequisite

Exploring AmbivalenceCounseling with neutrality

Explore pros/cons in a balanced way

Testing the Water

Is it time to open up the planning process?

Questions and Comments

ReferencesMiller, W. R. & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd Ed.). Guilford Press, New York, NY.

Tomlin, K., Walker, D., Grover, J., Arquette, W., Stewart, P. (n.d). A Learner’s Manual for the American Indian/Alaska Native Counselor – from

the One Sky National American Indian Alaska Native Resource Center for Substance Abuse Services.