Positive Motivational Interviewing: Activating Clients’ Strengths and Intrinsic Motivation to Change

Abstract

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a widely disseminated, scientifically-tested method of psychotherapy, which combines a supportive, collaborative and empathic counselling style with a consciously directive method as a means to positively resolve tension created by unresolved ambivalence about change. This article outlines MI as a positive approach to psychotherapy and considers some of its core concepts: the client-centered attitudes and its links with positive psychology interventions (PPIs). The objective of this article is to present MI in the light of positive psychology (PP) in order to build bridges between the two and to gain a better understanding of the processes involved in positive behavior change with both MI and PPIs. The review of the literature shows the strong links that exist between PP and MI: they have much to offer each other. MI is a strength-focused approach that builds on client's resources and skills and is an important example of how client-centered approaches to psychotherapy operate their effects. MI has a theoretical and practical flexibility and is a well proven approach for increasing intrinsic motivation to change. PPIs could be used combined with MI, in order to increase adherence to psychotherapy, as the PPIs, often delivered in self-help format, request effort and motivation. Integrating MI with the PPIs could also produce synergistic effects and lead thus to better outcomes. We propose several examples of how MI can be integrated with other forms of PPIs. Finally, implications for clinical practice and further research are discussed.Positive psychology (PP) is the scientific study of positive experiences and positive individual traits and the institutions that facilitate their development (Duckworth et al. 2005, p. 630). It aims to broaden the focus of psychology beyond suffering and psychopathology in order to increase well-being by building strengths and not just by correcting people's weaknesses. Its main assumption is that meaning and purpose do not come about automatically, simply when suffering is removed. Introduced as an initiative of Martin Seligman in 1998, then president of the American Psychological Association, PP is the scientific study of strengths, well-being and optimal functioning (Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi 2000). Arguing that a negative bias prevailed in psychology research, where the main focus has been for a long time on negative emotions and treating mental health problems and disorders, they proposed a new approach to psychology with an explicit focus on positive traits, good character and well-being. Research findings from PP are intended to supplement and not to replace what is known about human suffering, weakness and disorder. The intent is to have a more complete and balanced scientific understanding of the human experience .Historically, most interventions in psychotherapy proposed a deficit-oriented medical model in which psychotherapists assessed and treated psychopathology. Few interventions have explicitly attended to the positives resource...

Curiosity helps: Growth in need for cognition bidirectionally predicts future reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms across 10 years

“…During such therapeutic conversations, emphasis could be placed on the process rather than the outcome of their goal-directed endeavors to eliminate worries and pessimism. Also, it is possible that a therapist could appeal to somebody low in NFC using some sort of motivational interviewing strategy (Csillik, 2014). In line with recent treatments that focus on increasing CURIOSITY AND MENTAL HEALTH 18 positive emotion (Geschwind, Peeters, Drukker, van Os, & Wichers, 2011;Kim & Franklin, 2015), a lack of interest in learning and general curiosity about the world likely is contributing to a lack of joy in the person's life.…”

A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial to Enhance Well-Being and Performance of Athletes in Para Sports

“…Clinical trials have found MI promoted treatment engagement, retention, and adherence with large effect sizes (Hettema, Steele, & Miller, 2005). Similar effect sizes have been reported when MI is added to other active psychotherapieseach enhancing the impact of the other (Csillik, 2015). As such, it is possible that MI would maintain the athletes' engagement with the MAC program and adoption of behaviour patterns learned during MAC.…”

“…Further, it is the first intervention to combine the MAC protocol within an MI framework, thereby providing an increased specificity for how the program was delivered. Although we cannot ascertain which aspects of the program (MAC, MI or both) contributed to the outcomes, it has been suggested that combining MI with other interventions can help to increase adherence, promote synergistic effects, and lead to better outcomes (Csillik, 2015;Nar-King, Earnshaw, & Breckon, 2013). It is possible that the MI framework served to increase intrinsic motivation for change (Csillik, 2015), and complemented the value-and strength-driven behaviour component of the MAC program.…”

“…Through the MAC program, participants systematically repeat exercises of attentional self-regulation and are able to detect and direct their attentional focus to a desired stimulus (e.g., their performance demands) without needing to control other relevant sensory or internal bodily data. Given that MI has been a well-supported approach for increasing intrinsic motivation (Csillik, 2015), it may also serve to increase motivation for dedicated and continuous mental practice in sport. However, the pilot nature of the study and thus potentially the resultant lack of improvement in mindfulness and acceptance, means that no firm conclusions can be drawn as to the effectiveness of MAC program components within an MI framework.…”

Drug and alcohol workers’ view of positive psychology in the treatment of coexisting problems

“…At the very beginning, MI could be used to activate clients’ strengths and intrinsic motivation, their level of readiness to change and thus adherence to treatment. Therefore, MI can be employed during a PPI to increase motivation when encountering resistance to change (Csillik, 2015) as it has been shown to facilitate participation in treatment, improve hope and empowerment, and increase purpose in life in individuals with DD (Glossman et al , 2013). In addition, as CBT approaches are widely used within PSIs, positive CBT may be another beneficial approach (Bannink, 2013).…”