Motivational interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, conversational counseling method developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick that is focused on helping individuals articulate and resolve ambivalence about change[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. It emphasizes respect for client autonomy, empathy, and acceptance, engaging people as equal partners to empower them in setting and achieving their own goals for change. Initially developed for addiction medicine, MI is now widely used across fields such as mental health, chronic disease management, and health promotion. Its core techniques include open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and eliciting "change talk," all within the broader "spirit" of partnership, compassion, and respect for self-determination[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. MI is not a biochemical or therapeutic target, and does not involve molecular interactions or pharmacological mechanisms.

Other names

MI (Motivational Interviewing)