Motivational Interviewing in Family Settings

Abstract

Abstract Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an underutilized method for helping family members resolve ambivalence related to their roles in the family. This chapter presents use of MI in family therapy. Two forms of family therapy are described. First, Brief Family Interventions (BFI) are used where time is limited or crisis oriented (e.g., interviewing parents and their children who are being treated in an emergency department following a drug overdose). Second, Motivational Interviewing Family Therapy (MIFT) is suited for addressing long-term problems over multiple sessions (e.g., family-related miscommunication and problematic relationships). Several vignettes demonstrate how MI-based techniques used during family therapy can improve outcomes for patients and their family members. A personal reflection is presented on a trainee’s use of MI with a seriously ill inpatient and his mother.