Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a counseling approach used by social workers and mental health professionals to help clients make positive changes in their lives. It's like having a guided conversation that helps people find their own reasons to change, rather than being told what to do. Think of it as a collaborative discussion style that's particularly effective when working with clients who might be unsure about making changes in their lives. Similar approaches include Solution-Focused Therapy and Person-Centered Counseling. This method is especially valued because it helps reduce resistance to change and builds trust between the professional and client.
Examples in Resumes
Conducted client sessions using Motivational Interviewing techniques to support behavior change
Certified in Motivational Interviewing with over 100 hours of supervised practice
Applied MI and Motivational Interviewing methods to improve client engagement rates by 40%
Typical job title: "Motivational Interviewing Practitioners"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Motivational Interviewing Practitioners
Professional Organizations
Training Resources
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you train others in Motivational Interviewing techniques?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience in teaching MI skills to others, including role-playing exercises, providing feedback, and helping others develop their MI competency. Should mention specific training methods and supervision experience.
Q: How do you adapt Motivational Interviewing for different populations?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to modify MI approaches for different client groups (youth, elderly, different cultures), while maintaining the core principles of the method.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Can you describe a challenging case where MI techniques were particularly helpful?
Expected Answer: Should provide a specific example showing how they used MI to help a resistant client make positive changes, while maintaining client confidentiality.
Q: How do you handle resistance in Motivational Interviewing?
Expected Answer: Should explain techniques like rolling with resistance, avoiding arguments, and supporting client autonomy while maintaining engagement.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic principles of Motivational Interviewing?
Expected Answer: Should mention expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance, and supporting self-efficacy in simple terms.
Q: How do you use open-ended questions in Motivational Interviewing?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to ask questions that encourage clients to explore their thoughts and feelings rather than giving yes/no answers.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic MI conversation techniques
- Open-ended questioning
- Active listening skills
- Building rapport with clients
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced MI strategies
- Handling client resistance
- Adapting MI to different situations
- Documentation of client progress
Senior (5+ years)
- Training others in MI
- Program development using MI
- Supervision of MI practitioners
- Integration with other therapeutic approaches
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to demonstrate active listening skills
- Tendency to lecture or give direct advice rather than guide
- Lack of empathy or client-centered focus
- No formal training or certification in MI
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