Motivational interviewing (MI) is a psychological treatment that aims to help people cut down or stop using drugs and alcohol. The drug abuser and counsellor typically meet between one and four times for about one hour each time. The counsellor expresses that he or she understands how the clients feel about their problem and supports the clients in making their own decisions. He or she does not try to convince the client to change anything, but discusses with the client possible consequences of changing or staying the same. Finally, they discuss the clients' goals and where they are today relative to these goals.  (Smedslund et al. Cochrane review (2011) Motivational interviewing for substance abuse)

Key resources:

• Skills Consortium (2013) Briefing paper 1: motivational interviewing
• Addiction Technology Transfer Research Center] (2006) Motivational interviewing assessment: supervisory tools for enhancing proficiency
• Baker et al (2003) A brief cognitive behavioural intervention for regular amphetamine users. A treatment guide
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (1999) Enhancing motivation for change in substance abuse treatment
• Ashton, Mike (2005) The motivational hallo

Key documents on Motivational Interviewing from the library collection