Motivational Interviewing- Part 1 - CME Paid Option-Motivational Interviewing- Part 1

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Don Stater and Josh Bloom introduce a video series designed to teach the basics of motivational interviewing (MI) by combining brief teaching with improvised role-play cases and group debriefs. They emphasize MI as a lifelong skill centered on the “spirit” of collaboration, respect for patient autonomy, and “unconditional positive regard” (Carl Rogers): patients are not problems to be fixed, and clinicians should avoid adversarial, top‑down advice.<br /><br />They explain the stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and possible relapse) and stress that giving solutions too early—before a patient is ready—wastes time and harms rapport.<br /><br />The four MI processes are outlined: engaging (building a trusting, empathic relationship), focusing (agreeing on the agenda and what matters most), evoking (drawing out the patient’s own motivations while listening for “change talk” and “sustain talk”), and planning (developing a collaborative next step rather than prescribing a plan).<br /><br />Through cases—diabetes management, binge drinking, benzodiazepine overuse, and a new hepatitis C diagnosis—they demonstrate core techniques: asking permission before giving advice, using open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening (including reframing), and summarizing ambivalence. They also highlight common clinician pitfalls, especially the urge to “right” the patient with facts or persuasion without permission. The takeaway is that MI doesn’t guarantee immediate change; progress may mean planting seeds, supporting autonomy, and setting realistic, patient-driven goals (often using SMART goals).

Keywords

motivational interviewing

MI spirit

stages of change

change talk

sustain talk

OARS techniques

reflective listening

patient autonomy

SMART goals

righting reflex