How does motivational interviewing support the IMR process?

Motivational interviewing is an important technique within the Illness Management and Recovery (IMR) framework because it fundamentally seeks to enhance an individual’s motivation to change. This method involves empathetic listening and open-ended questions that encourage individuals to explore their own motivations and reasons for change. By adopting a collaborative approach, motivational interviewing fosters a sense of autonomy in individuals, empowering them to articulate their goals and the steps they wish to take towards recovery.

Through this supportive engagement, individuals are more likely to recognize their ambivalence towards change, leading them to express a desire for improvement and take ownership of their recovery process. This aligns perfectly with IMR, which emphasizes self-determination and personal responsibility as critical components of successful recovery.