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What Is Motivational Interviewing?

Use this resource to learn more about motivational interviewing, including what it is, why it works, and how it helps staff and families.

Motivational interviewing is a way to talk about changing behavior. It can help people sort through their thoughts, ideas, and feelings about making a change. It also can help people explore the benefits and challenges of changing a specific behavior.

Staff can use this approach to learn about and strengthen someone’s motivation to change. It can help them develop stronger relationships with families. This approach also may help staff feel more confident about having tough conversations.

How do we know it works?

Research shows that motivational interviewing helps people reduce behaviors they want to stop. It has helped people reduce gambling and drug and alcohol use. It also can promote healthy behaviors like exercising, practicing safer sex, and following medical advice. Research shows motivational interviewing is successful because it is based on empathy and trusting relationships.

What Head Start Staff Say

Motivational interviewing is:

  • “Phenomenal”
  • “Inspirational”
  • “Encouraging”
  • “Equal communication”
  • “A chance to make a difference in families’ lives”

How can it help staff?

Motivational interviewing can help staff to:

  • Build stronger relationships with families
  • Improve communication and connections with families
  • Partner with caregivers while respecting that they’ll make their own decisions about their life
  • Feel more confident by using a proven approach
  • Feel less frustrated because of an improved understanding of how behaviors change

How can it help families?

When staff use motivational interviewing, it can help families to:

  • Better partner with Head Start staff
  • Decide if they want to make a change
    • Determine what kind of change they want
    • Plan how to make the change
  • Feel confident about making meaningful changes

Learn More 

Motivational Interviewing Suite
These short videos show examples of how to use motivational interviewing in everyday conversations between Head Start staff and families.

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,  Mental Health