Counselors wishing to address the issue of client volition and motivation can use brief motivational enhancement interventions early in the treatment process (Ryan et al., 2010).
1. Motivational interviewing
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a powerful tool for enhancing motivation and behavioral change by focusing on the client’s readiness for change (Hagger et al., 2020; Miller & Rollnick, 2013).
The DARN acronym offers a valuable set of open-ended questions that provoke thoughts and discussions about change.
For example, “What are you looking to gain from these sessions?”
I would like to lose some weight.
- Ability questions consider what the client could do to change without committing to making that change.
For example, “If you really did start a new career, how could you do it?”
“I could get some extra training online.”
- Reason questions engage clients who may not be ready to begin but know the reasons for change.
For example, “What are the downsides to how things are now?”
“I’m unhappy, and my family and friends aren’t seeing the best of me.”
For example, “What do you think needs to change, and how urgent is this for you?”
“I’m unhappy with the arguing in my relationship. It has to change before the baby arrives.”
2. Socratic method
The use of focused open-ended questions, known as Socratic questioning, encourages clients to reflect, bringing to their awareness hidden or new perspectives and uncovering unidentified motivations (Clark & Egan, 2015).
For example, “Is there another point of view?” or “What do you mean when you say you can’t change?”
3. Trans-theoretical model of change (TTM)
The trans-theoretical model of change proposes that in order for behavioral change to occur, the client must pass through and complete the seven stages of change listed below (Hagger et al., 2020).
The counselor can foster motivation by educating the client on the stages of change and setting tasks to move through them.
- Precontemplation – increasing awareness, hope, and confidence
- Contemplation – performing risk versus reward analysis
- Preparation – creating a change plan
- Action – implementing the change plan
- Maintenance – integrating the new behavior into their lifestyle
- Relapse prevention –revising and reimplementing new plans
- Termination – the client will no longer return to their old ways
4. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
The Motivational Enhancement Therapy approach is particularly effective at helping clients struggling with substance abuse to motivate themselves to change. It combines MI with the TTM and client-led goal setting.
Unlike MI, MET is a standalone, short, focused intervention where time is limited, typically only four sessions. The five techniques shared with MI include (Miller, 1992):
- Expressing empathy with the client to establish trust
- Developing discrepancy between where the client is and where they want to be
- Avoiding arguments by not placing the client in a defensive position
- Rolling with resistance rather than challenging the ambivalence of the client
- Supporting self-efficacy by enhancing the ability of the client to believe in their ability to make the change
What our readers think
This is a very interesting website. I’ve never had extended psychological counseling. I have friends who have though, and this article helped me to better understand lack of motivation. I’ve been told by others that I can be rather judgmental in this regard, and I don’t want to be like that at all. I consider myself a very non-judging person. I will definitely continue to browse your website. Thank you and keep up the good work.