email DrSooHoo@sequoiacounselingoc.com phone 949.337.1034 mailing address 340 E. 1st St. #291, Tustin, CA 92781 Sequoia Counseling & Wellness Services OC offers virtual teletherapy services for California Residents
Motivational Interviewing
Have you ever intended to change your behaviors to achieve a lofty goal? Motivational interviewing is a powerful counseling approach that originated in the 1980s. It helps people to change habits and behaviors in a way that is effective and meets their needs. Often, when we try to make changes, we can experience setbacks or discouragement and think:
I don't really want to do this
I can't do this
I have never done this
I'm too busy right now
I can't get started
This is too hard
I will be deprived.
If these thoughts are familiar to you and get in the way of good forward progress with your personal goals, read on!
Motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick) acknowledges how hard it is to make and sustain life changes. It is based on a collaborative therapist-client relationship which is intended to strengthen motivation for and commitment to a specific change or goal. Motivational interviewing lessens or resolves the conflicting factors and ambivalencethat keep us from doing what we set out to do. Motivational interviewing is a client-centered approach (Rogers), in which the client is the expert and receives space in therapy to explain their hurts and concerns and identify what they need.
Here is a brief video that shares 5 fast facts about the motivational interviewing approach:
Motivational Interviewing in Action
I combine motivational interviewing skills with other approaches for the treatment of:
chronic illness management
reducing harmful or unhealthy coping behaviors
increasing engagement in productive and desirable behaviors
management of depression, anxiety, and associated symptoms
improving self care and healthy lifestyle behaviors
improving work, school, family relationship functioning
This is a brief treatment approach, and generally changes can occur within just a few visits!
If I work with you from a motivational interviewing approach, I try to clarify your desired goal and past any attempts. From there, we explore what improvement or “success” might look like according to your expectations. We also identify and review strategies, barriers, and a behavior plan to support follow through. Truly, change can be challenging, so you and I may continue to review, explore, and adjust until you are satisfied with how your behaviors are helping you reach your goal.
If you would like more information on what type of therapy would work best for you, I would be happy to help! Please call or write to discuss any questions you have or start therapy treatment. - Dr. Melissa Soo Hoo