What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-oriented style of communication designed to strengthen personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal. It helps you, your teenager, or your child explore and resolve ambivalence about change, fostering intrinsic motivation to make positive life changes.
Key Benefits of Motivational Interviewing
Client-Centred Approach
MI respects your autonomy and emphasises your perspectives and goals.
Enhances Motivation
Helps you find your own reasons and motivation for change.
Versatile
Effective for a wide range of behaviours including substance use, health behaviours, and lifestyle changes.
Empowering
Builds confidence in your ability to make changes and overcome obstacles.
How Motivational Interviewing Works
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Express Empathy
Your therapist seeks to understand your perspective without judgment.
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Develop Discrepancy
Explore the differences between your current behaviour and your goals or values.
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Roll with Resistance
Rather than opposing resistance, your therapist works with it to explore new perspectives.
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Support Self-Efficacy
Enhance your belief in your ability to succeed in making changes.
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New Emotional Experiences
Create new, more positive emotional experiences in therapy.
Is Motivational Interviewing Right for You, Your Teenager, or Your Child?
MI might be a good fit if you, your teenager, or your child:
- Are considering making a change but feel uncertain or ambivalent
- Want to increase your motivation to make positive changes
- Have struggled with making or maintaining changes in the past
- Prefer a collaborative approach where you're in the driver's seat
Tailored Approaches for Different Age Groups
- Adults: Focus on lifestyle changes, career goals, relationship improvements, and personal growth.
- Teenagers: Address academic motivation, healthy habits, and positive decision-making skills.
- Children: Use age-appropriate techniques to foster intrinsic motivation for positive behaviours, involving parents in the process.
Our therapists are skilled in adapting MI techniques to suit the unique needs of each age group, ensuring effective and engaging treatment for all.
Take the First Step Towards Positive Change
Don't let ambivalence or lack of motivation hold you, your teenager, or your child back. Our experienced therapists are here to guide individuals of all ages through the MI process, helping you find your own reasons and strength for change.
Children
When big emotions, behaviour, or learning aren't clicking, we help families understand what's going on and build a plan that works
Teens
The teenage years can bring as many challenges as opportunities. We give young people a safe space to figure things out and build practical skills.
Adults
Whether it's anxiety that won't shift, a relationship that's not working, or a diagnosis you've been putting off, we're here to help.
Why Choose Bear in Mind Psychology?
Experienced across the lifespan
We support children, teenagers and adults with assessment and therapy tailored to their stage of life and goals.
Clear answers and practical recommendations
Whether you come for therapy or assessment, we focus on giving you useful next steps for home, school, work, and everyday life.
Neuroaffirming and family-aware care
We take time to understand the whole person, including their strengths, differences, relationships, and environment.
Convenient Sunshine Coast Location
Easily accessible support in the heart of our community