“Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client-centered, directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.” MI assumes that ambivalence, or feeling two ways about something, is a common human experience, especially in relation to addictive behaviors. Although often cognizant of the risks and harms associated with problematic gambling, various factors may lead the individual to continue gambling (e.g., relief from negative feelings, social acceptance/enhancement). Using the framework of Prochaska and DiClemente’s Stages of Change model, MI meets the client where they are at, allowing them to
determine the content, direction and goals of the encounter. For these individuals, MI can be used to raise awareness of gambling behavior, explore positive and negative perceptions of gambling experiences, and highlight disparities between individual behavior and personal values/goals. MI is guided by a set of five overarching principles— (1) express empathy, (2) develop discrepancy, (3) avoid argumentation, (4) roll with resistance, and (5) support self-efficacy—and core skills including asking open-ended questions, listening reflectively, providing affirmation, summarizing, and eliciting self-motivational statements. Although MI utilizes specific therapeutic strategies/tools, it is fundamentally a style of interpersonal interaction rather than a scripted protocol. As such, use of a MI-style can be used in any encounter, by therapists and non-therapists alike, to facilitate service engagement and behavior change. MI is an invaluable tool for counselors, educators and administrators who may have occasion to have gambling-focused conversations with clients. In this advanced training series, attended will be assumed to have familiarity with MI principles and skills. The focus of this training will to practice and enhance attendees’ MI skills when working with problem gambling clients.
CEUs: 2.0
