Category: MI Process: Planning

The last of the 4 MI processes is Planning. After you have engaged with the client, established a focus, and evoked the client’s own motivations for change, it is time to begin Planning. This is where the client is moving from talking about why he or she wants to change...

As we move into the last of the four basic MI processes, we will be focusing on the language and the creation of a personalized change plan. There are numerous frameworks for how change plans are created but the key is for it to be developed with primary input from...

The planning process can be a dynamic process as the client moves from motivation to action. There is a great deal of information and research about the evoking process but not as much related to planning. We do know that we, as clinicians, must be careful and not give advice...

There are many ways to create a change plan and it is exciting when a client is very motivated to make this happen. However, it is also important to make sure the plan is reasonable and there are possible sub-goals along the way. We discussed this in an earlier blog...

Another way we can strengthen commitment in planning is to simply trust the process of the tasks of MI. The tasks of MI provide an excellent structure for a session, and it naturally allows for change talk to be reinforced and guides the client towards their goals. In particular, the...

We are all familiar with the collaborative approach MI offers to the clinician and client. This approach helps to “level the playing field” and reduces hierarchy in the relationship. In addition, working collaboratively can build trust and rapport. The key is to make sure the client feels the support and...

The planning process can go in many directions. Previously, we explored the planning process when there was a clear path forward. What if there are several options that seem worthwhile to pursue? In this scenario, the goal of the clinician is to help facilitate the client in prioritizing them and...

Now that the list of options has been created by the client and clinician, it is time to talk about where the best place will be to start. This provides a great opportunity for the clinician to trust that the client knows themselves better than anyone else and the best...

Once we have confirmed the goal, and any subgoals along the way, we are now ready to itemize the options or list what has been discussed in counseling sessions. The counselor may be supportive in sharing back to the client some of the options that have been named in previous...

When we arrive with our clients at the planning process, there are conversations that need to be had about how to move forward. For some clients, it may be very clear how to proceed because they have tried to change the same behavior in the past. Other clients may have...

In our previous blog, we focused on a scenario where the client was clear on their plan moving forward. It involved a smoker who was ready to quit. The client had a plan to go to a cabin for a week and take everything they needed except for cigarettes. It...

As we continue our discussion of the planning process, one strategy to assist the client in achieving their desired outcome is to explore any possible obstacles or challenges that might come up. If these questions are asked, the client is likely to respond with a great deal of change talk....