By Kate Brown, Admissions Specialist at San Diego Detox
Motivational Interviewing is at the core of how we meet people where they are—especially in those critical first conversations. My role on the admissions team gives me a front-row seat to how powerful MI can be in helping clients move from hesitation to hope.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, client-centered therapy that strengthens a person’s motivation and commitment to change. At San Diego Detox, MI is one of the first tools we use, particularly during admissions and early-stage care planning. Rather than telling someone what they need to do, MI creates space for them to realize what they’re ready to do—and why.
Originally developed in the early 1980s for alcohol treatment, MI has become a cornerstone of care for individuals facing substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and other behavioral challenges.
Motivational Interviewing is built on three core principles that guide the entire client-therapist relationship:
Instead of directing, the therapist and client work together as equals. This alliance fosters trust and openness.
MI aims to draw out the client’s own motivations for change, rather than imposing reasons from the outside.
MI respects a client’s independence and emphasizes their control in making decisions about recovery.
When clients feel heard and not judged, they’re far more likely to share openly—which allows us to guide them toward meaningful, lasting change.
MI is structured but flexible. Sessions involve thoughtful dialogue rather than direction. In my experience on the admissions side, it often starts by validating where someone is emotionally—fearful, uncertain, or resistant—and gently guiding them to consider what life could look like if change occurred.
We use techniques like open-ended questions, affirmations, and reflective listening to help clients uncover their own values and goals. This process helps move people from feeling stuck to making confident, self-directed choices.
MI works because it taps into what matters most to the individual. The approach acknowledges ambivalence as a natural part of change, and it uses that tension to spark clarity and momentum.
Research supports its use in addiction recovery, depression, anxiety, and behavioral change. Studies show it improves treatment retention, reduces relapse, and increases client engagement. I’ve seen firsthand how MI can turn a ‘maybe’ into a motivated ‘yes.’ That shift often starts with one honest, open conversation.
The MI process typically follows four flexible stages:
Initial assessment and rapport building: Understanding the client’s background, concerns, and readiness while building a safe, trusting relationship.
Exploring ambivalence: Creating space to talk through conflicting thoughts about change, uncovering inner motivations and values.
Goal setting and planning:
Collaboratively identifying realistic goals and the small steps needed to achieve them.
Ongoing support and follow-up: Offering consistent encouragement and adjusting strategies as needed to maintain momentum and motivation.
MI is used to support behavioral change across a wide range of conditions, including:
Whether someone is considering entering detox for the first time or deciding whether to stay for residential care, MI is often the catalyst for saying yes to recovery.
At San Diego Detox, Motivational Interviewing is more than a technique—it’s a mindset. From the first phone call through each stage of care, we use MI to create a compassionate, nonjudgmental environment. We understand that readiness is a process, and we honor each client’s timeline.
Our team is specially trained in MI and related approaches, making sure clients feel supported while discovering their own power to change. If you or someone you care about is on the fence about treatment, MI can be the bridge between uncertainty and action.
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