Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a style of working with a client that focuses on allowing the client to direct the change rather than telling the client what they need to do. It is about having a conversation about change. MI is considered to be an evidence-based practice that has proven to be successful. It is usually considered to be “a person-centered, goal-oriented, guiding method to enhance motivation to change” (t3 website).

In a video interview by Mark Howarth from Invisible People, Ken Kraybill from t3 (think. teach. transform) says “we must try to have a conversation that draws out from the person what their own needs/desires are, what kind of life they really want to have, how that’s dissonant from the life they’re living. Not to guilt trip them but to just to help them shine a light on it”.

In MI the goal is to work with the client in a partnership rather than the case worker seeing themself as the expert. It includes meeting the client “where they are at” (also a key component of harm reduction) and recognizing that a client brings many strengths to the table. Helping the client recognize their own abilities and therefore the opportunity to make choices for themselves is a key component of motivational interviewing.

At Covenant House, staff use motivational interviewing techniques when working with youth, particularly in the development of case plans. Creating the plan with rather than for a youth means more buy-in from the youth and therefore a greater likelihood of success.