Motivational Interviewing for School Counselors

by Reagan North

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a powerful counseling approach that has helped thousands of people make positive changes in their lives. This book is the first training experience ever created to help School Counselors learn to use MI in their unique context. Written by a real-life School Counselor, this work is a powerfully practical explanation of MI ideas and techniques. Loaded with actual examples from the school context, the book is designed to help busy School Counselors learn these tools in a quick and enjoyable way. Students need help accessing their own motivation to improve grades, grow relationships, kick bad habits, and pursue deeply meaningful lives. School Counselors are perfectly positioned to help them do so, and MI is the tool they need.

Genres: Counselling, Nonfiction, Social Work, Education

157 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2017

Reviews

[Melody Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the most helpful resources for a school counselor! Motivational interviewing is my go to technique when working with my middle schoolers, and I have been given so many ways to go about it. (:

[Leah Golombek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book except for the the part in which the author insinuates that working in the fast food industry is worst life scenario

[Abraham Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blessedly brief and to the point with summary pages and "cheat sheets" for implementation. A useful introduction to a tool for the multitude of brief interactions that speckle the hectic days of an oft overwhelmed school counselor.

[Aprilthoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the pace of this book and examples. I am very new to the concept of motivational interviewing and appreciated a brief introduction(7 chapters). I believe it could be read quickly, perhaps two sittings. At 145 pages, the only part that gets you stuck is revisiting the information to make sure you have it down. I also enjoyed how the examples are spaced out into 1-2 brief conversations. Very appreciated as a lot of therapy reads spend entirely too much time reviewing theory and losing its audience. This is definitely not that book, this duly appreciated. For the new therapist, I highly recommend this book, it spends time over brief skills in action that follow the vein of acceptance and commitment therapy or dialectical behavior. Very good stuff. Keep handy when your hitting a wall with that kiddo who struggles to put two words together in session.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for middle and high school counselors. The beginning section reinforced what I was trained to do in grad school: reflect for empathy. It moved beyond that and offered some great ideas to incorporate on a daily basis. The author gives practical guidelines to follow, techniques to incorporate into conversations with students, and sample activities to use during 1:1 brief counseling sessions. I appreciate how there were cheat sheets and challenges to encourage the counselor to begin implementing MI immediately. I read it through K Unlimited, but am considering purchasing a hard copy for easy reference.

[Jamie Hamrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful techniques for school counselors

I found this counseling technique to be very intuitive to my own counseling practice and look forward to putting these newfound skills to use! The book was very well written with many valuable examples that show how these techniques are used in real situations. I especially appreciate the candidness and reality checks that the author provides, and the encouragement to try something new. MI should be a counseling method taught to all high school counselors.

[Katherine Bacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was informative, concise, and easy to understand if you are not school counselor. It should be considered a supplemental reference to the Motivational Interviewing process. North's example conversations between counselor and student help the reader understand this method of interviewing and how to apply it to real-world scenarios.

[Sara Siegesmund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great refresher of the MI training I received years ago. Fantastic, pragmatic examples, explanations and scenarios.
My book is completely marked up and post-it noted, ready for a quick review in August. Cannot wait to start incorporating more if these strategies with how I already work with my kids.

[Nancy Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for all school counselors, especially in grades 4-12 and college. MI is an excellent tool for counselors who have limited time with students, and that is truly all of us!

This was a quick easy read, and will continue to be a great desk reference in my office. You can practice the skills in anyone in your life who is hoping to make a change!

[Suki_Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I coach students and young adults primarily building Executive Skills and navigating ADHD. This book is short and has examples of how to ask questions so the individual creates their own plan. It sure helped me learn to “listen more”! I do need to read it again. Although it is short it is a bit dense and some examples I cannot relate to.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it seemed pretty good. There was some good, practical advice. However, I think it would be a lot better if it weren't a self-published book. I'm glad it was available through the Kindle Unlimited program while I have it because I wouldn't have wanted to pay $10 for it.

[lunarlibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended reading from my school's counselor when I asked about how to support my students better when they need that trusted adult in their life. Extremely helpful with real tools and strategies. I think I ought to read this every September.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short primer on MI

This wonderful guide is a must-read for school counselors and therapists working with adolescents. I put the techniques to use immediately and re-read it every few months. Great resource.

[Kalie Halpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great reminder at how powerful basic counseling skills are in supporting student growth! I appreciated how pragmatic the author's approach is-so many examples and easy formulas that apply to any student conversation.

[Marianne Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent steps, advice and examples. Straightforward enough to be a quick read, and yet full of guidance that I need to go back and review in order to put into practice. I’ll go through it again and do the homework recommended.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such s great resource!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging, fast read with great easy to implement techniques and suggestions to build your MI skills.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and easy to read but with practical application

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended for school counselors.

[Lori Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read for school counselors

Super helpful as I return to the profession. Enjoyed reading about MI and how it can help students solve issues.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reminder to help me reset and focus on why I do what I do in the midst of so much competition for my time.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful techniques for school counselors and those who work with adolescents! It was an easy read and I highly recommend!

[Ed Lubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly helpful book on how MI can be utilized in a school counseling setting

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful resource with very easy to follow skills and examples. Highly recommend for all school counselors!

[Heighlee Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book, very easy to read! I have used some techniques talked about in the book, and have seen progress with some students.

[Kasia Hrms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful, lots of practical information on MI tools. Excellent position for anybody working with students, teens and young adults.

[Kristen Duffey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super practical and helpful! A must-read for all school counselors!

[Madeline Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another work read. Very good info

[Alexandra Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Easy to reference and read. Super practical and helpful

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful refresher. Easy to use techniques and suggestions.