Private Motivational Interviewing - Trauma Informed Applications to Youth

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a person-centered, focused communication strategy designed to help individuals resolve ambivalence and accelerate natural change by exploring their values, priorities, and stories. This approach emphasizes a strategic style of being with people—characterized by respecting autonomy and providing a compassionate presence—while utilizing specific "OARS" techniques: open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing. The goal is to align a person's sense of importance, confidence, and readiness for change, particularly when they are at a "crossroads" or "stuck on a fence". By prioritizing deep listening and allowing individuals to "hear themselves" think out loud, MI functions as a collaborative partnership that empowers people to discover their own motivations and paths forward.