(This is a revision of Tip #83, first published in 2009) Nobody’s perfect. We have all goofed at times and regretted something that cannot be taken back. Some examples: You gave the wrong information to a client. You double-booked or…

We often hear very critical self-talk from our clients: “I am so stupid.”  “I’m a pig.” “I’m lazy,” “I was bad this week,” “I hate that I ate that ice cream,” or “I should have stopped at one serving.” It’s…

Wanting to change a behavior generally begins with disliking or even hating the behavior. This often gets mixed up with hating ourselves. Ironically, hating ourselves does not support the process of change. It has the opposite effect and keeps us stuck.…

  When health professionals take on the process of motivational interviewing, we enjoy the client-centered paradigm. As we use the skills within the spirit of MI, the client takes a more active role, and therefore change is more likely.  We…

  Sustain talk is anything the client says about not making the change you are talking about. This might be, “I can’t do that.” Or “I don’t want to join a gym.” Or “but that won’t work.”

We all have good and bad days. Think of those days when you feel alert and focused, confident in your ability to help your clients, calm and ready for whatever comes in that day. Then there are the days you…

  A successful nutrition counseling session flows naturally through stages. In motivational interviewing, these are called the four processes. They are somewhat linear. A skillful counselor will circle back and move forward as needed. This deliberate shifting from one process…

  Reflections are the most effective of all the strategies in conversations about change. Here, we explore how to make reflections more powerful by making them more complex. What does this do?

At a recent training, I was asked for examples of characteristics to affirm. The trainee was having trouble noticing strengths in her clients and wanted some ideas to get her started. I’ve included a list below.

  I am often asked, “What should I do when a client sets a goal and I know it’s unrealistic?” The client is the only one who knows for sure whether it’s realistic. Your experience with other clients may tell…