Experience motivational interviewing therapy, a counselling approach designed to help you find motivation, overcome ambivalence, and change your behaviour.
Change isn’t easy, especially when part of you wants to move forward but another part still hesitates. At Upstream Counselling in Kitchener-Waterloo, our Motivational Interviewing Therapy offers an evidence-based approach that helps you explore your reasons to change and strengthen your motivation for change. This approach to counselling uses empathy, affirmation, and reflective listening to help you feel understood and supported as you discover your ability to change and build confidence in your next steps.
Our therapists use motivational interviewing techniques like open-ended questions, eliciting change talk, and exploring your stage of change to help you better understand what’s holding you back and what’s driving you forward. You’ll have space to talk openly about your need for change, reflect on your goals, and build your commitment to change at a pace that feels right for you. Whether you’re working through substance use, dealing with substance abuse treatment, or simply learning to change your behaviour, this process can help you find balance and direction.
Many clients describe motivational interviewing as a conversation that feels different; it’s not about pressure or judgment, but about discovering what truly matters to you. At Upstream Counselling, we use the spirit of motivational interviewing—partnership, compassion, and understanding to help you move through the process of change with honesty, self-awareness, and renewed motivation to live the life you want.
Motivational Interviewing is a person-centered counselling approach that helps the client explore ambivalence, find motivation to change, and gain confidence to change their behaviour. Using the principles of MI, therapists use reflection, empathy, and open-ended questions to gently guide clients toward readiness to change and lasting growth.
Motivational interviewing helps the client explore their reason for change through reflection and motivational interviewing questions. By asking open questions and listening with care, clients begin to understand their desire to change and what truly motivates them to move forward.
Through MI techniques such as change talk, affirmation, and questions about change, motivational interviewing can help clients strengthen motivation and commitment to change. Research and meta-analysis studies show that motivational interviewing is effective in building confidence and readiness to change.
Motivational interviewing is effective for addressing substance use disorder and other behaviour change challenges. It helps clients explore arguments for change, reflect on the effects of alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and build motivation for change in substance use.
Motivational interviewing to improve daily life includes learning interviewing skills like asking open-ended questions, using reflection, and offering affirmations. These motivational interviewing strategies help the client stay focused, aware, and ready to change while creating healthier habits.
Motivational interviewing is a counselling approach based on empathy, collaboration, and acceptance. The spirit of motivational interviewing helps clients feel supported and understood, creating a safe space to explore what they want to change without judgment or pressure.
Motivational interviewing works by helping clients uncover their motivation to change and build confidence in their ability to do so. The application of motivational interviewing promotes reflection, behaviour change, and long-term motivation for growth, recovery, and personal well-being.
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Do you want to change your behaviour but feel stuck or unsure how to start and stay motivated? Motivational interviewing can help the client explore their reasons for change and build confidence in taking those first steps.
The use of motivational interviewing is a counselling approach that helps the client reflect on what matters most and enhance motivation for change. Techniques used include open-ended questions, questions and reflective listening, and affirmations adapted from motivational interviewing across different settings.
Motivational interviewing lets the client explore ambivalence and better understand their desire to change. Therapists use motivational interviewing strategies and brief interventions adapted from motivational interviewing to guide the client toward readiness to change.
Research, including systematic review and meta-analysis, shows that motivational interviewing is effective for behaviour change. Meta-analysis of motivational interviewing highlights its success with substance use disorder, and motivational interviewing as an adjunct can complement cognitive behavioural therapy.
Through learning motivational interviewing skills, the client is encouraged to explore arguments for change and strengthen motivation and commitment to change. The process of motivational interviewing, including brief motivational interviewing and motivational interviewing-based health coaching, helps the client stay reflective, focused, and confident.
Since motivational interviewing is a person-centred counselling approach, it can be accessed through online or in-person sessions to fit the client’s life. Understanding motivational interviewing, using techniques adapted from motivational interviewing, and applying motivational interviewing interventions helps the client take meaningful, lasting steps toward change.
Motivational interviewing allows the client to explore, reflect, and apply behavioural changes at their own pace. This approach builds confidence, clarity, and long-term motivation for change in substance use or personal goals.
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
Sometimes taking the first step toward changing substance use feels overwhelming. Motivational interviewing is a skill that helps you explore your reasons for change and connect with your own motivation for change.
Understanding motivational interviewing: This approach guides you to reflect on what really matters, making the idea of change feel possible instead of intimidating.
Enhancing motivation for change: Open-ended questions encourage you to think about why you want to change and what your life could look like afterward.
Change in substance use: The process helps turn intentions into real steps, supporting actual change in substance use habits.
Use of MI: Therapists adapt motivational interviewing interventions to fit your stage of readiness, helping you move forward at your own pace.
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing: Research shows that this approach increases confidence, commitment, and long-term success in changing behaviours.
It’s normal to feel unsure about whether you’re ready to reduce substance use. Motivational interviewing questions guide you to explore your readiness thoughtfully.
Types of questions: Both open and closed questions help uncover your habits, barriers, and personal motivations.
Questions encourage reflection: Answering honestly lets you see your own readiness and set realistic goals.
Motivational interviewing approach: This client-centred approach makes you feel understood and supported, not pressured.
Change in motivational interviewing: Using structured questions ensures that the process meets you where you are in your readiness.
Behind motivational interviewing: It’s built on collaboration and empathy, helping you explore change at your own pace without judgment.
Making lasting changes can feel intimidating, especially with substance use. Therapy using motivational interviewing helps you discover personal reasons to change and strengthens motivation for change in substance.
Motivational interviewing training: Therapists learn techniques to guide without pushing, keeping the focus on their own goals.
Use of behavioural strategies: These help turn motivation into practical steps you can take day by day.
Use of brief interventions adapted: Short MI sessions can spark insight and give a boost of confidence when you feel stuck.
Enhancing motivation for change: You’ll become more aware of your values and goals, which builds belief in your ability to change.
Change in substance use: Therapy connects motivation to real actions, helping you move from thinking about change to actually practicing it.
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing: Studies show this approach improves readiness to change and makes behaviour change more sustainable.
Feeling unsure about change is normal. Motivational interviewing helps you explore ambivalence and gradually build motivation for change in substance.
Closed questions: These help clarify patterns and facts without overwhelming you.
Open ended questions: These allow you to talk through your feelings and goals in your own words, uncovering your personal reasons for change.
Change in motivational interviewing: The approach supports you step by step, even when you’re hesitant.
Behind motivational interviewing: Empathy and collaboration make it easier to consider change without feeling pressured.
Use of MI: Even if you’re unsure, this approach can help you take small, meaningful steps toward change.
Effectiveness of motivational interviewing: Research shows that MI increases readiness to change and helps build commitment, even for those feeling ambivalent.
Sustaining change requires practical strategies and ongoing support. Motivational interviewing techniques help you explore your motivation and strengthen your commitment to change in substance.
Motivational interviewing approach: This method emphasizes collaboration, empathy, and helping you find your own solutions.
Motivational interviewing is a skill: Therapists use reflective listening and affirmations to support your motivation and reinforce positive steps.
Types of questions: Carefully chosen questions guide you in identifying goals, challenges, and strategies for lasting change.
Use of brief interventions adapted: Short MI sessions can spark insight and give you confidence to take actionable steps.
Use of behavioural strategies: Integrating MI with behavioural techniques ensures motivation translates into concrete habits.
Found that motivational: Studies have found that MI improves readiness to change, reduces substance use, and supports long-term success.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
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Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
