What is Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an approach used by health and human services professionals to help clients change unhealthy behavior. Professionals using MI are guided by core principles to help the client through a collaborative approach that includes engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning processes. The approach can be successfully adapted for use with adults, adolescents, or children in the treatment of mental and substance abuse disorders, in the prevention of chronic diseases, in medication management, and in other aspects of behavioral health.

Over the past 25 years, MI has been evaluated in comparative effectiveness research trials, systematic reviews, and outcome studies published in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications. MI is included in several evidence-based program registries and recognized as an effective model for the treatment of behavioral and addiction disorders. Research supports its effectiveness with results that are generalizable to different populations, communities, and settings.

MI is a brief, cost-effective strategy that can be used with diverse client populations and in many different settings.

From: SAMSHA, http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/pdfs/MI_Fact_Sheet_Final.pdf