Motivational Interviewing
Most people arrive at treatment with mixed feelings. Motivational interviewing works with that ambivalence instead of against it.
Accredited by The Joint CommissionLegitScript certified4.9 stars from 150+ Google reviewsIn-network with Harvard Pilgrim & Tufts (Point32Health)What motivational interviewing is
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, non-confrontational style of conversation designed to strengthen a person’s own motivation for change. It was developed in addiction treatment after researchers noticed something counterintuitive: confronting people about their drinking made them argue for drinking. Asking them, with real curiosity, what they wanted for their lives made them argue for change. MI is built on that insight.
How it works
An MI-trained clinician asks open questions, reflects back what they hear, affirms your strengths, and pays close attention to “change talk”: the moments when you voice your own reasons to do something different. The clinician’s job is not to convince you; it’s to help you hear yourself. This sounds gentle, and it is, but it’s also remarkably effective, with strong evidence across substance use, medication adherence, and health behavior change.
Where you’ll encounter it at Forrest
MI shapes how our admissions team talks with you on the first call, how your therapist approaches a slip, and how groups handle members who aren’t sure they belong there yet. It’s a stance as much as a technique: you’re the expert on your life, and our job is to help you get where you want to go.
Not sure you’re ready? That’s a completely normal place to start, and it’s not a barrier to calling us. Some of the best outcomes we see begin with “I don’t know if I need this.”
Where you’ll experience it at Forrest
Frequently asked questions
Is MI a full course of therapy?
MI is usually brief and often combined with other approaches like CBT. At Forrest it’s integrated throughout treatment rather than delivered as a stand-alone track.
Does MI work if I’ve been told I have to be here?
Yes. MI is especially useful when someone feels pushed into treatment, because it starts with your goals, not someone else’s.
Ready to talk? We’re here.
Call us any time for a confidential conversation. We’ll answer your questions, check your insurance at no cost, and help you decide whether Forrest is the right fit — no pressure.