How To Do Motivational Interviewing: A Guidebook

by Bill Matulich

This is the second edition of the popular How To Do Motivational Interviewing. In this concise book, you will learn how to do Motivational Interviewing (MI), the evidence-based, client-centered counseling approach that has demonstrated effectiveness for a range of psychological, behavioral, and health related issues. Rather than the counselor arguing for the client to change, the MI approach helps elicit client's own arguments for behavior change. Some of the topics covered how to prepare for an MI session, how to assess your client's motivation using two simple questions, how to ask powerful, strategic questions that move a client toward healthy behavior change, how to handle "resistance" or discord in the therapeutic relationship, and how to give information and advice in the MI consistent way that is acceptable to the client. The author, an experienced psychologist, psychotherapist, public speaker, and MI instructor, shows how simple counseling techniques, taught in any beginning counseling class, can be powerful when used strategically to tap into cliients' own motivation. Anyone who works with people including doctors, nurses, psychologists, addiction counselors, social workers, case managers, family advocates, lay counselors, correctional staff, dentists, life coaches, dietitians, nutritional counselors, physical therapists and others would benefit from the information in this book. The second edition updates the information and concepts presented in the first edition based on recently published texts of MI and adds a useful glossary.

Genres: Psychology, Communication, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Social Work

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 4, 2010

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy little primer on MI. Short but sweet. Only as long as it absolutely has to be (love that). MI is a simple technique to explain, but kinda hard to do effectively. This little book goes right for the jugular, giving you the essential stuff you need to get started. I have been messing around with MI with some of my clients (I'm a therapist and a drug counselor), and in at least a few of them, it has worked tremendously well. When the client flips from ambivalence to change talk to commitment, that's a beautiful thing to witness. And the real beautiful thing is, it's all coming from them. You just reflect the ambivalence back to them and sit bak and watch them go from "I'm thinking about cutting back on X", to "I have got to quit X,Y and Z". It actually happens. I'd say it's like magic (and it is) except I don't believe in that shit. I believe in the power of people to change and grow and create lives worth living.

[Pyroclastic Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straight forward. To the point. Applicable skills. 4/5

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet

Sometimes books go on and on with unnecessary examples but this book is short and straight to the point. Because most of the skills will be refined by practice this is a great reference guide when starting to apply the techniques. This was exactly what I was looking for but may not be robust enough for others.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to do Motivational Interviewing is a helpful guide that explains a technique for promoting behavioral change without manipulation.

Originally designed for counselors, Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be used as a tool to understand confusing behavior and the underlying factors contributing to why people act as they do.

Bill Matulich's summary of the process is clear and concise, with checklists for each component of the process that can be completed in just one interaction.

The most crucial aspect of MI is that change is possible when people feel acknowledged. Individuals are more likely to succeed in making a change when they are motivated from within. Ultimately, people will change when they recognize the need to change.

How to do Motivational Interviewing is an excellent introduction to MI, with a wealth of additional resources. It is a perfect book for both review and an introduction to MI. Whether you are experienced in MI or just starting out, this short book is worth investing in.

[Chad Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this very short work in an Audible sale, thinking it had to do with job interviewing. Apparently it's something related to therapy/counseling/psychology work. This is the sort of cheat sheet for a more comprehensive technique. This "motivational interviewing" technique sounds like basic coaching/counseling: trying to ask questions instead of telling the client what to do, gently guiding them to making their own decisions to change. I think this could be helpful for anyone who needs to work on self improvement or is interesting in communication.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book presents handy skills for MI to improve communication. MI is effective way to talk to people about changing their behavior. The acronym "OARS" in motivational interviewing stands for Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries. It represents key communication techniques used to facilitate productive conversations and encourage positive change in individuals.

[Ankhti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Matulich gives a great breakdown of Motivational Interviewing and wonderful examples on how to use it in coaching/counseling sessions with clients. He even explains the incorrect way to use the method and how it could go wrong.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on Audible. It was narrated by the author.
Very helpful. Short read but it hit the highpoints of practical MI. I will definitely be listening to it again to improve my MI skills.

[Becca Niner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good, straight-forward guide to a very hard-to-grasp psychotherapy.

[Vivie · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet and to the point. a lot of great practical uses for beginners. highly recommended!

[Kinho Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a nice little handbook for anyone interested in learning the technique. You'll have to look elsewhere if you are looking for something more intellectually stimulating.

[Becca Dydo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I read for a group research paper for my Social Work lll class.

[Gearóid Ó Laighin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to MI

Very good introduction to the topic of Motivational Interviewing. As a short introduction that can be read over a weekend, this book is ideal.

[PShayCollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keeping it on my Kindle

This is a great overall review of how to use MI. Keeping it on my Kindle to use as a reference with "sustain talk clients"

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear & concise crash course in MI.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick overview of MI. Gets the point across, but could use some more actual discussion examples.

[Ed Groover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent interviewing guide. Useful across disciplines.

[Laia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, clear and easy book outlining the basic principles of Motivational Interviewing. I recommend it!

[Alex The Italian Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical Knowledge, straight to the point.

If you're interested in the topic, in 1 hour you get top value.

I wish more books nowadays were made like this.

[Horace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very short but a good introduction to MI.

[Ms R Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

refreshing

Perfect after a couple of days of training. A great summary, easy to read and refreshing. Would recommend giving a copy to all attendees at an mi training

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first introduction to MI, so I wasn't sure what to expect. This was helpful, but short. I might go through it again.