Offering Hope…
Behavioral Health Services for the Kansas City Northland community. Prevention, assessment and treatment services for individuals and families throughout Clay, Platte and Ray counties
It may sound like common sense, but bringing change can be one of the most difficult aspects of working with people.
Even in our own lives, we recognize that change usually occurs when we are ready to accept it—whether it’s quitting smoking or simply becoming more organized. Focusing on detailed steps before that initial acceptance is reached is often unproductive. And having someone attempt to push you toward change often just brings resistance.
Tri-County recently adopted the use of a technique called Motivational Interviewing. Based on the idea that people change best when they are personally invested—ready for change—Motivational Interviewing focuses on preparing people for change—in using dialog to help them see the advantage of change to themselves.
“The idea is that ambivalence about change is normal and expected,” explained Richard Odiam, Tri-County Director of Adult and Youth Services. “We are most effective when we recognize this ambivalence and can work collaboratively with clients by supporting intrinsic motivation for change and developing a change plan that is acceptable and appropriate to the client” .. That works better and ultimately may be the only way to bring real, lasting change.
Motivational Interviewing works to increase the client's awareness of problems and consequences that result from a particular behavior. Focusing on personal improvements—even a better life—can help bring change. Motivational Interviewing seeks to help clients think differently about their behavior and consider what might be gained through change.
In early April, Tri-County held a two-day training, "Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change". Tri-County collaborated on the project with Mid-America ATTC and received funding from the Healthcare Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
While the initial focus of the effort was for co-occurring substance use and mental health problems, Motivational Interviewing is generally applicable for helping persons change, whether addressing addictions, behavioral problems, or health habits. Counselors, doctors, nurses, case managers, and other helping professionals will find the material relevant and useful.
“They key is to provide our staff with methods to promote change, manage resistance, and increase motivation and change talk in people we serve,” Odiam said. “It’s helpful for just about everyone.”
Luz DiGisi, Tri-County’s nurse liaison, agreed. “It’s a perfect fit,” she noted. “It addresses clients at the level or degree of readiness they are. If someone’s not ready to quit smoking, talking about 10 steps to quitting won’t help. But if you can help them start talking about positive reasons for quitting, that triggers the dialog within them that moves them forward.”
Tri-County Mental Health Services, 3100 NE 83rd St., Suite 1001, Kansas City, MO 64119-9998
Telephone: (816) 468-0400 Fax: (816) 468-6635 • 24-Hour Emergency Service Crisis Line 1-888-279-8188
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