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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Motivational Interviewing

Your client thinks your guidance is too directive. How can you use motivational interviewing effectively?

When clients perceive your guidance as too directive, motivational interviewing (MI) can help create a more collaborative and engaging environment. MI is a client-centered approach that encourages clients to find their own motivation for change. To use MI effectively:

  • Ask open-ended questions: These questions promote discussion and help clients explore their own thoughts and feelings.

  • Affirm client strengths: Recognize and validate the client’s abilities and efforts to build confidence and rapport.

  • Reflect and summarize: Paraphrase what the client says to show understanding and encourage deeper exploration.

How have you used motivational interviewing in your practice?

Motivational Interviewing Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing

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Last updated on Feb 19, 2025
  1. All
  2. Healthcare
  3. Motivational Interviewing

Your client thinks your guidance is too directive. How can you use motivational interviewing effectively?

When clients perceive your guidance as too directive, motivational interviewing (MI) can help create a more collaborative and engaging environment. MI is a client-centered approach that encourages clients to find their own motivation for change. To use MI effectively:

  • Ask open-ended questions: These questions promote discussion and help clients explore their own thoughts and feelings.

  • Affirm client strengths: Recognize and validate the client’s abilities and efforts to build confidence and rapport.

  • Reflect and summarize: Paraphrase what the client says to show understanding and encourage deeper exploration.

How have you used motivational interviewing in your practice?

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10 answers
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    Dr Prasanta Kumar Padhi

    Principal @ Higher Education Govt of Odisha | PhD, HR, Writing, Author of 8 books, Academic Mentor and Writer, Creative writer, Journalism, Linkedin Top Voice Translator

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    When clients feel that guidance is too directive, motivational interviewing fosters collaboration and autonomy. Open-ended questions invite clients to explore their own motivations, making the conversation more engaging and self-driven. Affirming their strengths builds confidence, reinforcing their ability to navigate change. Reflecting and summarizing their thoughts shows understanding, encouraging deeper self-exploration. By shifting from instructing to guiding, MI helps clients take ownership of their decisions. How have you used motivational interviewing to create a more client-centered approach in your practice?

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    Said Al Jabri 🏆

    🔶 Career Coach | CV & LinkedIn Optimization | Contract, Logistics and Supply Chain Trainer | Digital Promotions via LinkedIn | +40K Network | Helping Professionals Stand Out

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    Empowering clients in their decision-making process requires a collaborative and client-driven approach. Instead of providing direct instructions, motivational interviewing (MI) encourages autonomy and self-exploration. Thoughtful, open-ended questions help clients uncover their own motivations, making the discussion more meaningful and engaging. Recognizing their strengths boosts confidence and reinforces their ability to embrace change. Reflecting and summarizing their thoughts fosters trust and encourages deeper self-awareness. By shifting from a directive style to a guiding approach, MI allows clients to take full ownership of their journey. How have you integrated motivational interviewing to create a more client-centered practice?

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    Salim Hamade

    Strategic FMCG & F&B Leader | Growth & Innovation Expert | Driving Market Expansion & Profitability | Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP) | MBA | BSc Banking & Finance

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    Motivational interviewing is about guiding, not instructing. Shift from giving direct advice to asking open-ended questions that help the client explore their own solutions. Use active listening, reflect their concerns, and affirm their strengths to build trust. Instead of pushing a decision, highlight potential outcomes and let them weigh the options. This approach fosters autonomy, engagement, and buy-in; turning resistance into collaboration.

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    Hassaan Shahid Ansari

    Driving Revenue Growth | Marketing Strategist at Cloud Health Solutions LLC

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    When clients feel my guidance is too directive, I turn to motivational interviewing to foster a more collaborative conversation. By asking open-ended questions, I create space for clients to explore their own motivations and solutions. I make it a point to affirm their strengths, recognizing their efforts to build trust and confidence. Reflecting and summarizing their thoughts not only shows that I'm listening but also encourages them to dive deeper into their feelings. This approach has helped me guide clients more effectively by empowering them to take ownership of their decisions.

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    Erika Dicen

    Divisional Manager at Linked VA

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    Listen carefully and let them share their thoughts. Show empathy by repeating what they say in your own words. Ask what solutions they think would work best for them. Guide them gently instead of giving direct answers. Support their choices while offering helpful suggestions. This builds trust and helps them feel in control.

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    Mohammed Riyaz Ali

    Process Associate at ECLAT Health Solutions Inc | Facilitating Talent Connections and Engaging with Industry Leaders

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    When clients feel guidance is too directive, motivational interviewing (MI) emphasizes collaboration and autonomy. Through open-ended questions, clients explore their own motivations, making the process more self-driven. Affirming their strengths boosts confidence, while reflecting and summarizing fosters deeper self-reflection. Shifting from directing to guiding helps clients take ownership of their decisions.

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    Isabela Castro

    🚀 CEO & Founder | Instituto Isabela Castro | Associate Faculty, Ariadne Labs – Harvard | VBHC Ambassador | Patient Safety & Experience | Dentistry, Aging & Health Systems Innovation

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    Motivational interviewing (MI) shifts the conversation from directive to collaborative, empowering clients to explore their own reasons for change. I start by actively listening and using open-ended questions to uncover their values and goals. Instead of prescribing solutions, I use reflective statements to validate their feelings and encourage self-exploration. Affirmations reinforce their strengths, while eliciting change talk helps them verbalize their own motivation. By guiding rather than instructing, MI fosters autonomy, reduces resistance, and helps clients commit to sustainable changes on their own terms.

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    Abraham Antony

    Health Job Board Specialist @ BHC | Driving revenue growth & client satisfaction

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    To shift from being too directive, motivational interviewing focuses on collaboration and empathy. By asking open-ended questions, reflecting their concerns, and exploring their own reasons for change, you empower the client to take ownership of their journey. Instead of telling them what to do, guide them through a process of self-discovery, helping them identify their goals and motivations. This approach fosters trust and encourages more meaningful engagement in their progress.

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    Said Al Jabri 🏆

    🔶 Career Coach | CV & LinkedIn Optimization | Contract, Logistics and Supply Chain Trainer | Digital Promotions via LinkedIn | +40K Network | Helping Professionals Stand Out

    • Report contribution

    When guidance feels too directive, Motivational Interviewing (MI) shifts the dynamic from instruction to empowerment, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration. Rather than prescribing solutions, MI invites clients to discover their own path forward. 🔹 Open-ended questions spark curiosity and encourage clients to explore their intrinsic motivations. 🔹 Affirming strengths cultivates confidence, reinforcing their ability to embrace change. 🔹 Reflecting and summarizing their thoughts demonstrates deep understanding, creating space for meaningful self-discovery. By transitioning from a directive approach to a guiding partnership, MI transforms conversations into powerful catalysts for growth.

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    Laura Elliott

    Assistant Director Community Corrections | Certified Probation Officer | Certified Pretrial Services Professional | Leading Innovation in Community Supervision

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    You can use motivational interviewing by shifting from directive guidance to a collaborative approach. Focus on open-ended questions, affirm their strengths, and reflect on their concerns to build rapport. Use techniques like "rolling with resistance" and evoking their own reasons for change rather than imposing solutions. This helps foster autonomy and encourages them to take ownership of their progress.

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