If someone told you not to smoke you probably wouldn’t listen. Or if you told your partner not to, it would be easier said than done (they may even smoke in secret).

Motivation to change is much more complex than telling ourselves “No”. Motivational interviewing uses a number of empathic and goal-oriented techniques to encourage you towards your ultimate goal, even if you’re in pre-contemplation mode.

Rather than giving advice, our role is to help you come up with self-motivational statements and behavioural changes that you come up with. Once you begin to see how the potential consequences of your current behaviour or habits conflict with personal values, your therapist will highlight this for you, focus on this discrepancy until the you feel ready to commit consistently to change.

A discrepancy between your current behaviour and important goals often motivates change. Having ambitious visions for the future can also inspire hope and positive changes in your life.