Emotion and Somatic-Focused Motivational Interviewing with Sky Kershner

Summary

Motivational Interviewing is a highly researched, evidence-based
approach to having conversations with persons who are ambivalent about
making positive external health changes in their lives (alcohol and
tobacco use, sugar, sleep, activity level, etc.)

Motivational Interviewing tends to focus on thoughts and behaviors. In
this workshop, we will look at ways we can invite our client’s
emotional and somatic experiences into the conversation. This can have
the effect of deepening our ability to evoke, empower, and affirm the
client to do the hard work of change.

When we help the client somatically feel the cost of the status quo, and
the deep desire for the benefits of change, we can help ground them in
the beauty of their intentions for change. At the same time, our clients
(and sometimes we ourselves) are uncomfortable going to these places.
What if someone “hates to feel sad” even though they are? What if a
person does not “like to get angry” or assert themselves, even when
they know someone or something is hurting them? Have you ever affirmed a
client and the client swept it away, unable to feel the goodness of
their efforts? Have you ever done this yourself? (Welcome if you have!)
In this workshop, we will look at how conversations about feelings and
the somatic pathways of feelings can enhance or MI conversations. We
will use clinical videos and practice exercises, to explore these ideas
to help reduce our clients’ suffering

Host or Publisher Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, Inc.