Motivational Interviewing in Health Care: Helping Patients Change Behavior (Applications of Motivational Interviewing) First Edition

Motivational Interviewing is a best practice approach for a variety of conditions / situations. It has been studied in addiction treatment, peer support, chronic disease management and a plethora of other settings. As a medical social worker and certified addictions specialist I have been exposed to many Motivational Interviewing trainings / books. This book is the best book I have found to explain motivational interviewing. In reading this for the first time a light bulb truly went off. If you are experienced in motivational interviewing or if you are new to the concepts this book can provide insight, tools and explanations for all levels. I think this book does a wonderful job talking about different styles such as directing, following and guiding. If you are new to MI and looking for a place to start this is a great book. If you have been using MI and are looking for inspiration to take your practice further this book will also be of help.UPDATE:There are a few books that survive the test of time. I have personally bought many copies of this book. Most given to new doctors coming out of residency some to new social workers or other professionals. I consistently use examples from this book when illustrating the role of MI in behavior change.This book not only improved my understanding of MI but also helps me explore MI with co-workers and others.

I have really enjoyed this book. The foundation of the book encompasses two obvious principles that come together in a way that gives easy guidelines for assisting people with change. The first principle is that people who are not changing are stuck in ambiguity, where they are in a balancing act between reasons to change, and reasons to stay the same. The second principle is that people believe what they hear themselves say. So, if you approach a change by only giving the positive reasons that they should change (you should eat fewer simple carbohydrates because it will help your blood sugar stabilize), the person will voice back the balancing view point (but sugary stuff tastes really good!). Now that they have voiced the negative, the pull of not wanting to change has been stuck in their brain even more. This book gives definite strategies on how to get out of this cycle. It really has helped motivate some of my patients- and even my children on occasion! Buy the book to find out how!

I bought this book to sharpen my skills in preparation for dealing with a young adult on matters unrelated to healthcare decisions. Recognize the principles explained in this book apply widely in dealing with people struggling with ambivalence. this book provides useful reminders of how to approach patients (and others) to achieve optimal effect. As St. Francis of Assisi prayed "... grant that I may not so much seek to be understood, as to understand.

great resource

As an exercise physiologist, I found this book to be invaluable. Most of us health care providers know what to tell our clients and patients to do, but we have a hard time getting them to actually do it. If that rings a bell with you, this book is for you. I only wish I would have had this knowledge years ago.

As a physician, I spend my day counseling people on diet, exercise, stress control et cetera and this book helps. It is difficult to motivate patients, but to be honest most are ready to make a change. This book lays out solid information as to how to go about motivating them and I have made a change in my practicing style because of it. Thank you!

This book was well organized, clearly written, and applicable to practitioners across a wide variety of fields. Authors did a good job of using numerous real-life anecdotes and examples, all clearly explained so that readers can see how to extrapolate/apply them in their own practices. Not a long read, but a valuable one. Highly recommend.

The big idea of this book is how you communicate with clients can greatly enhance their outcome of treatment. The book describes different styles, with many many examples of each style. Being supportive, compassionate, and empathetic is the most effective in inspiring behavior change.Three things I learned from reading this book:I learned that the "guiding style" of MI (motivational interviewing)would be helpful in dealing with my teenagers.There is very little evidence for the belief that people will change if you can just make them feel bad (or scared, ashamed, humiliated) enough.Be a thoughtful listener. Put your pen down, don't look at your notes, but actively listen to your client.What are my final thoughts and perspectives regarding this book:I could see the different listening styles and MI in different doctors that I have been to in the past. I think this book had too much "dialogue" examples which I didn't care for. I would have to admit that I didn't like reading the book, and finishing it was a struggle. I have always been told that I am a good listener but I can see the value in reading this book from a practitioner point of view. I learned a long time ago that my feelings of "rescuing" people is not the best approach and that I need to listen for "change talk."This book was required reading for my Nutritional Therapy training.