We continue our series on the 4 processes of Motivational Interviewing… Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning. This month, we will focus on the third process, Evoking. We have talked about creating a therapeutic relationship (Engaging) and establishing a clear focus for the session (Focusing) and now we move to Evoking, and strengthening, motivation for change.
Here, the counselor listens for the client expressing motivation to change behavior…this motivation or interest in changing could be related to:
Desire: “I would like to lose some weight.”
Ability: “I would be able to take my medications each morning with breakfast.”
Reasons: “I would have more energy if I exercised.”
Need: “I need to make better choices because I can’t keep living this way”
The practice for the counselor is not only to hear and recognize the “change talk” but, rather, to know how to respond to it when it occurs. If this is done skillfully, the counselor will be able to strengthen the motivation for change which can lead to “real” change. In practicing Evoking, keep in mind that fear may be present for a client who is considering a behavior change.
Our next post will provide examples of how to respond to “change talk.”
For more information about Motivational Interviewing resources, contact Eunice Akinyi Okumu, by phone (919) 843-2532, or by email, eunice_okumu@med.unc.edu