Motivational Interviewing: as Easy as It Looks?

Abstract

Purpose of review: This paper explores how motivational interviewing (MI) can be useful to practitioners working with people who have sexually abused. Research has found that the most effective practitioners working with these clients are warm, empathic, rewarding, and directive. Putting these characteristics into practice, however, can be challenging for professionals in treatment settings. Despite a wealth of information regarding MI practice generally, its use with people who have sexually abused has received little attention.

Recent findings: Motivational interviewing has been found to be effective in helping people change a wide range of problematic behaviors. Although it has been found to assist in treatment engagement with people who have engaged in intimate partner violence, it has not been subjected to rigorous examination in the treatment of sexual aggression. Nonetheless, it has received increasing attention within criminal-justice circles and can help clients of all backgrounds become involved in many of the treatment services available to them. The most effective practitioners working with these clients are warm, empathic, rewarding, and directive. The practice of motivational interviewing can benefit clients directly and can help professionals to develop the characteristics found to work with people who have sexually abused.

Keywords: Criminal justice; Empathy; Motivational interviewing; Responsivity principle; Sexual abuse.