Motivational Interviewing as a Strategy of Support

In autism, as in life generally, advice-giving can often have limited impact and a person. Motivational interviewing is a powerful communication tool which can help staff support children around difficult conversations around change, behaviour and coping. It enables staff to find ways to help a person feel in control of decisions around changing their behaviour or to help the person explore new way of looking at things. The approach uses relationship to build trust within which a person feels they can safely discuss and explore new ways of doing things while not feeling that they being told what to do. In particular, motivational interviewing aims to a way to help staff minimise resistance in such interactions. As such, motivational interviewing is often also used by senior staff in supervision sessions.

This workshop introduces participants to the core skills of motivational interviewing and an opportunity to practice the basic elements of the approach in an informal and supported setting. The day will be led by Dr John McDermott, a Studio III psychologist. There will also be the opportunity for those in attendance to shape the direction of the discussion on the day.