Addiction Coping and Recovery Methods and Support 10 Myths About Motivational Interviewing Setting the Record Straight By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada. Learn about our editorial process Elizabeth Hartney, BSc., MSc., MA, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE on March 23, 2021 John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. He is the medical director at Alcohol Recovery Medicine. For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Learn about our Review Board John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE Updated on March 24, 2021 Print Along with widespread acceptance within the addictions community (both those with addictions and helping professionals), there are many misunderstandings and misconceptions about motivational interviewing, a type of counseling in which empathy and a building up of confidence are used to change behaviors. Let's explore ten myths about motivational interviewing. 1 Motivational Interviewing Is Confrontational NoSystem images/Getty Images It is not clear how the myth that motivational interviewing involves confronting clients with their behavior came about; perhaps it somehow got confused with the “intervention” approach, which does involve confronting people with addictions. However, this idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Motivational interviewing is gentle and respectful and focuses on the initial stages of building rapport and understanding what the addictive behavior is doing for the person. With this understanding, the therapist can work with the person to gain a fuller understanding of how his or her behavior may be affecting other parts of life. That can help the patient establish personal goals around change. 2 Motivational Interviewing Is too Soft (Addicts Need Tough Love) Some other approaches, often called "tough love" approaches to treating addiction can be confrontational, and there is a widespread belief—promoted in large part by 12-step programs—that being confronted with the darker side of their behavior is necessary to overcoming addiction. The motivational interviewing approach does not share this viewpoint and recognizes that the judgmental and shaming elements of confrontation can sometimes worsen the situation for the person with the addiction. With motivational interviewing, the individual’s point of view about their own behavior is central to recovery. 3 Motivational Interviewing Is Part of the Transtheoretical Model The transtheoretical or “stages of change” model goes hand-in-hand with the motivational interviewing approach. Although they were developed and became popular around the same time, they are separate theories developed by different research teams. 4 Motivational Interviewing Doesn't Work Because It Allows People to Relapse One of the most controversial aspects of motivational interviewing is the fact that relapse is not only tolerated, but is actually expected. Although relapse is by no means encouraged, it is recognized that relapse can occur during recovery, and that this does not automatically lead to failure. In fact, honesty about relapses can allow the therapist and the person with the addiction to better understand that person’s triggers. It can also provide learning opportunities to help avoid and cope with relapse in the future. 5 Motivational Interviewing Is for Treating Addiction Only Although motivational interviewing is widely used for treating addictions, it has also been successfully applied to a range of other types of behavior change, including treatment for eating disorders, improving compliance with medication regimens, and establishing healthy behaviors such as exercise. 6 Motivational Interviewing Is Just a Fad Motivational interviewing has been around for a few decades. It is true that it has become popular, and is considered a leading approach for addictions treatment. While other therapies may also become popular in the future, that does not negate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing for problems of addiction as they are being experienced at the present time. 7 Motivational Interviewing Is the Only Approach That Works Although motivational interviewing is effective in treating addictions, other approaches are also effective. In fact, research shows that the approach used is less important to successfully overcoming an addiction than the relationship between the therapist and the person with the addiction. 8 Motivational Interviewing Is Unethical Motivational interviewing takes ethical issues so seriously that it actually has its own guidelines for ethical practice. This outlines potential for ethical dilemmas that might occur in therapy, and ways that therapists can overcome them, along with examples of situations that might occur in the course of therapy. 9 There Is No Proof That Motivational Interviewing Works Over the past two decades, there have been numerous research studies showing that motivational interviewing works in many different contexts. 10 Motivational Interviewing Is Only Available in Expensive Treatment Centers Motivational interviewing is available in a variety of treatment centers targeted at a range of economic groups. It is not only available in private treatment facilities. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Miller W, Rollnick S. Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. Guilford press, 2012. Resnicow K, McMaster F. Motivational Interviewing: moving from why to how with autonomy support. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2012;9(1):19. doi:10.1186/1479-5868-9-19 Smedslund G, Berg RC, Hammerstrøm KT, et al. Motivational interviewing for substance abuse. Campbell Systematic Reviews. 2011;7(1):1-126. doi:10.4073/csr.2011.6 Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.