Last week, we discussed the second Motivational Interviewing process, Focusing. Again, the process of Focusing is finding a direction and then working towards very specific achievable goals. This sounds simple, but obtaining focus can be difficult in practice. Here is one strategy and an associated tool to help in the process of focusing.
STRATEGY: To determine whether or why someone may be interested in changing a particular behavior, ask about what is important to them or what they value. Then link these values to the client’s motivation and behavior, and focus the conversation on whether the client’s values align with their behavior.
TOOL: A Menu of Options, or Menu of Values, provides a list of options from which the client can choose what they value or what is most important to them. It can also be a great way to learn more about the client and their experiences, as well as to provide autonomy to the client in choosing the value. In addition, having options presented to a client can generate ideas or remind the client about their important values.
Please see the attached Menu of Options and Menu of Values for choosing important values and topics for a session. These specific menus are related to medication adherence and release from prison.
For more information about Motivational Interviewing resources, contact Eunice Akinyi Okumu, by phone (919) 843-2532, or by email, eunice_okumu@med.unc.edu.