How to Increase Motivation in Your Students Megyn Shea, PhD NYIT

Agenda Stages of change General Principles of MI How MI Works What to Avoid Ambivalence Change Talk

Introductions What is your experience with motivational interviewing and/or stages of change? What setting are you in? What would you like to get out of this workshop?

What is MI? “Motivational interviewing is a person-centered counseling style for addressing the common problem of ambivalence about change.” Miller & Rolnick, 2013, p. 29

Think of a behavior you would like to change.

Stages of Change Precontemplation Unwilling or unable to change in foreseeable future Unaware or under aware of consequences of problems Contemplation aware of the consequences Considering change Ambivalent (“I do, but I don’t) Preparation Committed to change, but considering actions to take Action individuals modify their behavior, experiences, or environment in order to overcome problems requires considerable commitment of time and energy Maintenance people work to prevent relapse and consolidate the gains attained during action

What types of behaviors do you want students to change?

Precontemplatio n Counselor Goal: Encourage the student to think about and discuss his/her problem behaviors. Notice any discrepancy. Contemplation Counselor Goal: Help the student evaluate her choices regarding change options. Explore pros and cons. Preparation Counselor Goal: Help the student prepare a plan for change. Help the student come up with solutions to problems they may encounter. Action Counselor Goal: Affirm the student’s successful behavior changes and support the them in addressing barriers to change Maintenance Counselor Goal: Reinforce the student’s commitment to change. Explore disappointm ents, temptations, and doubts.

How do you think students react when we tell them how they need to change?

Q: What happens when adults tell you how to change? A: “It feels like an insult and makes me want to act worse.”

MI & Ambivalence Common pattern-think of reasons to change, not to, stop thinking Most common place to get stuck Arguments for and against already reside within the ambivalent person For=Change Talk Against=Sustain Talk

What do we often say about kids who come across as ambivalent about changing something we want them to change?

MI and the Righting Reflex Helper takes “good” parts Tells why and how to change Problems: Heard it before Predictable response (Yes, but…)

MI and Continuum of Styles Directing Guiding Following Directing Style Guiding Style Following Style AuthorizeAccompanyAttend CommandAssistBe responsive DecideCollaborateBe with GovernEncourageShadow

MI & the Righting Reflex Desire to “fix” what is wrong with people Relies on directing Involves convincing and persuading

The Spirit of MI Collaborative Partnership Absolute Worth Prizing the worth and potential of every human being Accurate Empathy Active interest to understand other’s internal perspective

The Spirit of MI (cont.) Affirmation Seek and acknowledge person’s strengths Compassion Actively promote the other’s welfare, to give priority to the other’s needs

Core Interviewing Skills: OARS Open-ended questions Affirmation Reflective listening Summary

Practice Change Conversations Why would you want to make this change? How might you go about it in order to succeed? What are the three best reasons for you to do it? How important is it for you to make this change, and why? Then summarize So what do you think you’ll do?

The Evoking Process Eliciting change talk Noticing, highlighting: desire, ability, reason, or need to change Become interested and curious A clear focus is a prerequisite

Exploring Ambivalence Counseling with neutrality Explore pros/cons in a balanced way

Testing the Water Is it time to open up the planning process?

Questions and Comments

References Miller, W. R. & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3 rd Ed.). Guilford Press, New York, NY. Tomlin, K., Walker, D., Grover, J., Arquette, W., Stewart, P. (n.d). A Learner’s Manual for the American Indian/Alaska Native Counselor – from the One Sky National American Indian Alaska Native Resource Center for Substance Abuse Services.