Introduction This essay outlines a particular approach in

counselling called Motivational Interviewing. The first part briefly describes Motivational Interviewing and mentions its founders. The following part presents the reader with a short definition of The Ways Paradigm. From there the author focuses on the way of being, way of understanding and way of intervening in Motivational Interviewing (MI). part concludes main points discussed in this essay. Motivational Interviewing MI is a client-centred, directive method used to build commitment and reach a decision to change through exploring and resolving ambivalence. The approach was first developed by Dr. William Miller in 1983 in addiction treatment. The key concepts were later elaborated in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Rollnick in 1991. The Ways Paradigm The Ways Paradigm is a framework devised by Sharon Cheston for understanding different counselling theories and their intervention techniques. The paradigm can analyse any approach in counselling according to three principles: a way of being, a way of understanding and a way of intervening. The final

The Way of being pertains to how the counsellor is in the relationship with the client. MI therapist is client centred and directive. The approach draws on the conditions emphasised by Carl Rogers of accurate empathy, nonpossessive warmth, and genuiness. Particularly empathic warmth and reflective listening are necessary for the change to occur (Miller and Rollnick, 2002, p.6). The style of the therapist is characterised by acceptance and desire to understand clients experiences and perspectives. Once the clients feel heard and understood, they are more likely to change. The atmosphere is marked by collaboration, support and respect for clients autonomy (Miller and Rollnick, 2002, p.37). Clients readiness for change in not a client characteristic, but rather a product of interpersonal interaction. The counsellors directive approach is expressed in being highly attentive and responsive to the signs of readiness. MI is an interpersonal style where the counsellor is directive in helping the client to explore and resolve ambivalence. The Way of understanding addresses counsellors perception of human nature and development. This level relates to understanding of the way people behave and how they change. MI counsellors perceive clients to have resources allowing them to change. The approach honours and respects the individuals autonomy to choose (Miller and

Rollinik, 2002, p.41). The practitioner helps clients find intrinsic motivation and resources to change. Motivation is an internal state which fluctuates and can be influenced by external factors. The therapists role is to recognise what stage the client is at and take appropriate approaches to facilitate change. Motivation can be broken into three components: readiness, willingness and ability. The counsellor should understand how aspects of these components influence clients ability to change (Miller and Rollnick, 2002, p.10). Ambivalence is considered to be a natural element of the change process. It is normal that the client would become resistant in treatment settings. The therapist helps people unstuck, moving them past ambivalence toward positive behaviour change (Miller and Rollinik, 2002, p. 3738). However it is the clients task to articulate and resolve their ambivalence. The counsellors role is to facilitate the expression of both sides of ambivalence and to direct the client towards an acceptable resolution that triggers change. The operating assumption in MI is that ambivalence is major obstacle to change. The counsellor should understand that their role is to develop discrepancy between present clients behaviour and where they want to be. When the current behaviour is in disagreement with the goals then the change is likely to occur (Miller and Rollinik, 2002, p. 38).

The way of intervening refers to how therapists interact with clients in the therapeutic relationship. Techniques are crucial to facilitate change in another person. However, they are only effective when used together with the proper understanding of the spirit of MI. In the first session, as well as throughout the therapeutic relationship, Rollnick and Miller suggest using Five Early Methods. The first four are: Open questions, Affirming, Reflecting, and Summarising (OARS). They are aimed at helping people explore their ambivalence and clarify reasons for change. Open questions allow for exploration of clients concerns. One of the most important and challenging skills in MI is reflective listening. Reflecting back to the clients what is said communicates empathy and understanding. Reflection is used to reinforce certain aspects, like change talk. The skill, on the side of the counsellor, is not to relate to what is heard to ones own experience. Affirming is very important because it reassures and supports the client throughout the process. Summarising links together and reinforces material that has been discussed by feeding it back to the client. The Fifth Early Method is called eliciting change talk. It is a consciously directive method for developing discrepancy. Hearing oneself state the reasons for change tends to increase awareness of the discrepancy between ones goal and present actions (Miller and Rollinik, 2002, p. 83).

The strategies in MI are intended to facilitate change in others. The four principles are expressing empathy, developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance and supporting self-efficacy. Expressing empathy is one of the most defining characteristics of MI. It can be expressed by the four skills described above (OARS) in an atmosphere of acceptance and respect. Discrepancy between where a client is and where they want to be should be developed. That discrepancy is highlighted and amplified within the client rather than external motivators. Successful highlighting of the clients goals and implications of their current behaviour will not feel to client as the change that is coerced but obvious step. The points suggested in dealing with resistance are avoiding: head to head confrontations, saying you cant, and labelling. Supporting self-efficacy, that is persons confidence in carrying out something successfully, is crucial for the change to occur. The counsellors role is to instil hope for change by helping the client to change themselves. Conclusion The author discussed Motivational Interviewing

through the Ways Paradigm. The first part presented the reader with a brief definition of MI and the Ways Paradigm. The author went on to analyse MI through the three elements of Ways Paradigm.

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References
1. Kearns, Caitriona, notes (2010)

2. Cheston, Sharon E. (2000) The Ways Paradigm; A New Paradigm p254-269.

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4. http://www.stephenrollnick.com/index.php/all-

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