Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, client-centered approach designed to help people work through ambivalence about change. Rather than pushing a client toward a decision, MI helps you explore your own reasons for change and builds motivation from within, rather than through pressure or advice-giving.
At Calm Clarity Therapy, our clinicians use MI with clients who feel stuck between wanting to change and not being ready to, particularly around substance use, health behaviors, and other areas where "knowing what to do" hasn't been enough to create change.
How Motivational Interviewing Works
MI is built around a few core principles:
- Expressing empathy — your clinician listens without judgment to understand your perspective on the issue.
- Developing discrepancy — you explore the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
- Rolling with resistance — ambivalence and hesitation are treated as normal, not something to argue against.
- Supporting self-efficacy — your clinician helps reinforce your own confidence and capability to change.
MI is often used alongside other approaches (like CBT) rather than as a standalone, long-term treatment model.
What Motivational Interviewing Treats
- Substance use and addiction
- Ambivalence about treatment or lifestyle change
- Health-related behavior change (diet, exercise, medication adherence)
- Anxiety and depression when motivation is a barrier to progress
- Pre-treatment engagement for clients unsure about starting therapy
Why Choose Calm Clarity Therapy for Motivational Interviewing
- Clinicians trained in MI techniques
- A non-confrontational, judgment-free approach to change
- In-network with Aetna, Cigna, Optum/UHC/UMR, Select Health, Medicare, BCBS/Carelon, and Colorado Medicaid
- Available in
Denver,
Lakewood, and via
telehealth statewide
Denver Office
7535 E Hampden Ave, Suite 352, Denver, CO
Lakewood Office
12600 W Colfax Ave, Suite B-340, Lakewood, CO
Considering Motivational Interviewing?
If you're feeling stuck or unsure about change, this can be a helpful place to start a conversation.
