The problem of motivation is one we are all familiar with. Motivation is crucial for change, however, building and strengthening one’s own motivation, can be a difficult process. Motivational dialogue in the process of psychotherapy supports clients from drawing on their own resources and building personal motivation in achieving goals. Learn more about motivational dialogue, see how it can help you?
Motivation
Motivation keeps us moving forward, even when the going gets tough, it’s what keeps us on track and helps us move toward our goals. Motivation is, like a driving force for change, it’s what pushes us toward a specific plan of action. Motivation can be divided into two types: intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic motivation occurs when we are motivated to do something because we find it interesting, enjoyable or satisfying. Extrinsic motivation occurs when we are motivated to do something because of the rewards or punishments associated with it. Extrinsic motivation usually relates to the environments in which we function – expectations of family, employer, society.
Of course, the most desirable motivation in the process of change is intrinsic motivation, which flows from our self. However, in many cases it is not possible to activate it. Often clients or patients begin to participate in psychotherapy for external reasons, e.g. pressure or disappointment from loved ones, lack of realization of certain standards.
Difficulties in making changes can be seen most clearly in the case of various types of addictions, e.g. overeating, Internet addiction, workaholism. Characteristic features of variable motivation are: ambivalence, resistance, justification, holding on to the positives of the current situation (the so-called language of maintenance).
Transtheoretical model of change vs. change motivation
Prochaska and DiClemente’s transtheoretical model of change is a psychosocial theory that helps us understand the stages of change and how we move through the process with varying degrees of force. The model was first introduced in 1984, however, it is still relevant in understanding the process of change and the challenges we face.
The model consists of five stages: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance. The first stage is called precontemplation. At this stage, people are not yet motivated to change their behavior. They may not think about it at all, or they may be very ambivalent about changing.
The second stage is called contemplation, this stage means that people are thinking about changing their behavior, but are still not sure whether they want to make the change in their lives or not.
In the third stage – preparation, people have made a decision and are ready to change their behavior and go through all the necessary steps that will lead them to success. The fourth stage is action, which means that people have successfully changed their behavior and started making changes in their lives. The action stage occurs when someone has taken some steps toward the goal they set in the preparation stage, but may not yet be fully committed.
Finally, the final stage is the maintenance stage. It occurs when people maintain their new behaviors, feeling more stable and confident with each passing day.
Motivation vs. addiction
The motivation of addicts, is often short-lived and usually becomes difficult to maintain after a while. Addicts often get stuck in the precontemplation phase or return to it very quickly.
Addiction is characterized by an intense desire or uncontrollable need to consume substances such as alcohol, drugs or tobacco; it can also be an addiction to activities (known as behavioral addictions) such as gambling, compulsive overeating or shopaholism. If someone is addicted, they are unable to stop themselves from engaging in their addictive behavior, despite the negative consequences that may result.
The process of recovering from addiction is long and arduous. Staying motivated and focused on the goal of recovery can be difficult. One way to combat maladaptive habits or addiction is through psychotherapeutic work in the spirit of motivational dialogue. The addiction therapist, in an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion, helps direct the client’s personal values and goals, serving to strengthen the client’s own motivation and commitment to change.
Motivational dialogue
Motivational Dialogue (creators: Prof. William Miller, Prof. Stephen Rollnick) is a method used to increase motivation for change. Motivational dialogue (dm) or motivational interviewing helps people to change. It is excellent for people struggling with ambivalence, and can help people deal with internal conflict in the face of change. The high effectiveness in working with addicts allows this method of work to be extended to different groups of clients. The psychologist, in the spirit of dialogue, aims to elicit ambivalence and direct it to the right personal goals.
Therapeutic work in dialogue works well with addicts, or people who have difficulty with harmful habits, as well as people who, for various reasons, cannot achieve their desired goals.
Motivational interviewing should not be viewed solely as a technique, method or activity to make someone change. We cannot treat the interview as a collection of footnotes in a book or a set of tricks or a collection of techniques. Rather, it is a method of communicating with people about their difficulties. Motivational dialogue is a collaborative way of therapeutic work. It is client-centered, dialogue techniques offer a search for inner motivation to change.
Therapeutic work emphasizes the need for empathy, sincerity, cooperation. Clients are treated as experts on themselves, with all the mechanisms and internal resources, such as having personal values, abilities, skills, that are needed to bring about change.
Key elements of motivational dialogue
Autonomy
Developing autonomy is one of the most important tasks in the therapeutic process. Independence of thoughts, feelings and decisions is among the basic needs of human beings. If the therapist opposes this need, prematurely pressuring the client to change or solve the problem, he will be met with strong protest and resistance, which will paradoxically lower the possibility of making changes.
Cooperation
Collaboration in the spirit of motivational interviewing is based on a partnership between therapist and client. This approach is quite different from the model in which the therapist is an expert, sharing his knowledge. Like a parent watching over a child, the therapist must strike a balance, between helping, supporting, while allowing experimentation and independent problem solving.
Mining
In mining, various aspects of change are developed, the reasons for seeking change and the accompanying fears are brought out. The therapist does not impose advice, is not in the role of a counselor, and does not help in an authoritarian way, finding a quick solution. Although some, behaviors will never stem from intrinsic motivation, because they do not bring pleasure, clients can internalize their motivation anyway, transforming external requirements into their personal values and goals.
Motivational interviewing – an OARS tool
O – (Open questions) Open questions
With open questions, the therapist obtains information about the meaning of statements. The questions provide a better understanding of the client’s views and concerns. In a motivational interview, closed questions are kept to a minimum.
A – (Affirmation) Appreciation
Appreciation, empowerment, attentiveness to the client’s statements or feelings. The therapist appreciates, reinforces the client’s strengths. The key in appreciation is sincerity and referring to specifics.
R – (Reflective listening) Reflecting
This component of the interview is client-centered, reflecting is the key to active listening. Reflective statements serve a variety of purposes in psychotherapy. They are used to express accurate empathy and to test hypotheses about how the client experiences the world.
Simple mirroring is showing the client that he or she has been understood by repeating or paraphrasing his or her words. Compound mirroring reflects the true meaning of the customer’s statements.
S – (Summarizing) Summarizing
In summarizing, the therapist selects relevant statements from the entire conversation and combines the most important elements of the statements, organizing the client’s world and ambivalence.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. motivational dialogue
In cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing can be used especially in the early stages of the therapeutic process tostimulate motivation toward specific therapeutic goals or tasks. Dialogue can be used throughout treatment, at various points during meetings, to reinforce commitment and strengthen motivation.
How do you know when to use motivational dialogue?
When you have little motivation to change, hesitate to engage in psychotherapy or modify your negative habits. If you are struggling to make long-term change in your life, then working in the spirit of motivational dialogue is for you.
If, you are interested in psychotherapy make an appointment – cognitive-behavioral therapy.