Which communication skills are included in motivational interviewing?

The selection of open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries as key components of motivational interviewing is rooted in the approach’s foundational principles. Open-ended questions encourage clients to share more about their thoughts and feelings, facilitating a deeper conversation and enabling the peer recovery support specialist to understand the individual's motivations and barriers. This approach emphasizes collaboration and respect for the client’s perspective.

Affirmations build rapport and boost the client's confidence by recognizing their strengths and efforts. This skill is vital in fostering a positive therapeutic relationship and motivating clients to engage in their recovery process.

Reflective listening is crucial in motivational interviewing, as it allows the specialist to accurately understand and reflect back what the client expresses. This not only validates the client's feelings but also helps clarify their thoughts, promoting deeper self-exploration.

Summaries serve as a way to reinforce what has been discussed, ensuring that both the client and the specialist have a mutual understanding of the conversation and helping to connect ideas for future discussions.

Together, these skills create a supportive environment that encourages clients to explore their motivations and develop a readiness for change, which is the essence of motivational interviewing.