The Processes of Change

The processes of change, utilizing the motivational interviewing approaches of Dr. William Miller and Dr. Stephen Rollnick, include:

• Engaging: the process of establishing a helpful, and working relationship with a therapist
• Focusing: the process by which you develop, and maintain a specific direction in the conversation about change
• Evoking: helping to elicit the patients’s description of their motivations for change
• Planning: developing a commitment to change, and formulating a concrete plan of action

When guiding a patient towards change, the following responses in conversation with that individual are listened for, clarified, and encouraged:

• Expressions of a desire for change: I want to, I would like to, I wish to, I hope to
• Expressions of an ability to change: I can, I am able to, I could, I would be able to
• Expressions of reasons to change: I’d be able to…, I would then probably have..,
• Expressions of the need to change: I need to, I have to, I must, I’ve got to
• Expressions of commitment to change: I promise to, I guarantee that, I give you my word that
• Expressions of readiness to change: I’m willing to, I’m ready to, I am prepared to
• Description of steps taken: I went to, I called, I did

Many of the following traits have often been associated with people who successfully change their unhealthy behavioral, emotional, and thinking patterns: