Invited workshop: Motivational Interviewing in Neuropsychology Basic Principles and Methods

Motivational Interviewing in Neuropsychology

Basic Principles and Methods

By: Tad T. Gorske, Ph.D.

Neurological disorders constitute approximately 6% of the global burden of disease (WHO, 2006) requiring a need for rehabilitation strategies for restoration of functioning. Non-compliance with rehabilitation recommendations can compromise a successful recovery program. Non-compliance can be related to client motivational or disability factors in addition to family member’s difficulty coping and adapting to the responsibilities of a rehabilitation program (Suarez, 2011).  While the problem of poor compliance has been studied as a factor in managing patients with medical issues, physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, and other injuries; little has been written about teachable methods for enhancing motivation and increasing compliance with rehabilitation recommendations. The Health Behavioral Change (HBC) model which is based on Motivational Interviewing (MI) fills this important gap by giving healthcare professionals essential tools for discussing the importance of following rehabilitation recommendations in addition to other topics such as exercise, eating habits, medication compliance, smoking, and drinking (Rollnick, Mason, and Butler, 1999; Miller and Rollnick, 2002). The HBC model was originally designed for physicians and provides a concise framework that can be used for brief-time limited interventions. It has been used in various rehabilitation settings where a therapeutic and collaborative relationship is an essential component for enhancing patient participation and outcome attainment (Prigatano, 1999).

In this training participants will learn the background and principles of the HBC model and its application to rehabilitation.  The essential elements of the model will be reviewed in addition to the specific clinical skills necessary to conduct an HBC session.  Participants will receive practical skills to guide client(s) through the difficult task of change all the while maintaining an empathic and collaborative relationship, rolling with client resistance, and then gently guiding them through the process of collaborative goal development and attainment.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn….

1. The background and conceptual foundations of the HBC model;
2. The core interpersonal skills for conducting an HBC session;
3. To identify a client’s stage of change and intervene appropriately;
4. To assess clients level of readiness for change and enhance change talk;
5. Collaborative ways to manage client resistance;
6. To explore and enhance levels of importance and confidence for making difficult behavior changes;
7. To give feedback and advice in a way that maintains collaboration and motivates change;
8. To enhance client readiness to transition to more active and directive treatment interventions.