Motivational interviewing is a type of person-centered therapy that was developed in the 1980s by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick as a way to overcome the hurdle of low motivation to change. Essentially, motivational interviewing programs aim to help patients develop an internal desire to refrain from problematic behavior.
A motivational interviewing process is comprised of three basic elements:
Collaboration: The therapist tries to understand, rather than confront, the patient’s perspective.
Evocation: The therapist listens and guides the patient to develop an inner desire to change.
Autonomy: The therapist respects the patient’s power to make decisions and responsibility for those decisions.
The motivational interviewing approach has been successful in treating a variety of substance addictions and behavioral addictions, as well as a number of mental disorders, including depression and anxiety. It is not uncommon for motivational interviewing to be combined with other approaches in an integrated treatment program.
The comprehensive residential treatment program at the Asana Recovery Center provides a number of different addiction therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
