Motivational Interviewing for Clinical Practice

This is a fine book, a "how to" practical manual of motivational interviewing (MI) written for a wide audience including those new to MI, experienced practitioners and everyone in between. The editors have organized the chapters in a logical way, in sections that start with the basics and progress to advanced applications. Not only do they review the fundamentals, but the authors address practical issues such as integrating MI into other types of treatment including behavioral and pharmacologic interventions. Advanced topics, such as teaching of MI and the use of MI in administration and management extend the focus beyond the clinical realm. Readers can choose to focus on certain sections, or, given the descriptive writing style and the use of many clinical vignettes, they will likely find themselves perusing the entire book. Ismene L. Petrakis, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship Psychiatrists -- and any health care providers -- who want to build solid rapport with and help facilitate lasting transformation in their patients should own, read carefully, and frequently refer to Handbook of Motivation and Change -- a Practical Guide for Clinicians. This book, replete with vivid, realistic, useful case examples, provides an immediately accessible window into the theory and basic concrete skills needed to grow into an accomplished practitioner of the motivational interviewing approach. Each self-contained chapter, while fully relating to the work as a whole, stands fully on its own allowing the reader to pinpoint needed information quickly, including valuable chapters on integrating motivational interviewing into other forms of psychotherapy and into pharmacotherapy. Andrew J. Saxon, M.D., Professor and Director, Addiction Psychiatry Residency Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Director, Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (CESATE)

Especially helpful for clinicians who have an interest in behavior change but do not possess specialized training in addiction treatment. The study questions at the end of most chapters, accompanied by an answer guide, will help reinforce basic concepts and can be used for self-study, board or general review.

Motivational Interviewing for Clinical Practice teaches the reader how to use the critically important tool of motivational interviewing to promote health and well-being. Based on the theoretical framework of Miller and Rollnick, the book presents the latest models and techniques that the editors and authors have found helpful in their scholarship and clinical experience. Failure to adhere to recommended treatments is common across a wide range of illnesses—from medical problems, such as hypertension or management of cardiovascular risk factors, to psychiatric disorders, including addiction. The methods and skills of motivational interviewing can be applied to any health behavior, be it giving up alcohol or cigarettes, taking medication for hypertension or high cholesterol, or changing dietary and exercise habits.

Motivational Interviewing for Clinical Practice has many useful features:

• The book is organized along the four processes of motivational interviewing—engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning—which provides a consistent framework for enhanced understanding.
• The authors include numerous case examples with extensive illustrations of clinical dialogue that will be invaluable to both novices and experts.
• The book explores the integration of motivational interviewing with other psychotherapies and the use of motivational interviewing with psychopharmacology.
• The authors also address special topics such as motivational interviewing in a diverse society and the teaching of motivational interviewing.
• Key points, references, and multiple-choice examination questions, along with explanations of the correct answers, are provided, as well as numerous clinical tools and summary tables to bring the material to life.
• For those looking for a quick general or board review on the topic, the multiple choice questions and answers are collected together in a special section for easy access, self-study, and review.
• Medical students new to motivational interviewing provide reflections on each chapter, focusing readers on the material deemed by their peers to be most useful to them in the future.

Written for busy clinicians without specialized knowledge or expertise in...read more...