Motivation is the most important individual-based factor influencing employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities. Increased motivation can lead to positive employment outcomes, while decreased motivation can result in overwhelming fear and anxiety that interferes with setting and achieving employment goals.
Using a motivational interviewing approach, vocational rehabilitation professionals can increase feelings of competency and readiness to engage in VR services in job seekers with disabilities’ by:
- Developing a person-centered, collaborative relationship
- Promoting autonomy through the counseling process
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing is a practical, person-centered, collaborative counseling method used to help people resolve their fears and develop internal motivation to change their behavior. Evidence-based, it is designed to strengthen people’s personal motivation for and commitment to a specific goal.
Using motivational interviewing techniques, counselors can support people to see their own motivations, goals, and ambivalent feelings and develop their own plan to change. The counselor directs this process using gentle, guiding questions, keeping five general principles in mind:
- Express empathy through reflective listening
- Identify discrepancy between clients' goals or values and their current behavior
- Avoid argument and direct confrontation
- Adjust to client resistance rather than opposing it directly
- Support self-efficacy and optimism (Miller and Rollnick, 1991)
Source: Motivational Interviewing – Introduction – TACQE U
Use the resources below to learn to use motivational interviewing techniques to develop a person-centered, collaborative relationship and increase autonomy outcomes for people with disabilities seeking employment.
Recommended Resources from TACQE and Partners
On-Demand Training
- Motivational Interviewing – Introduction – TACQE U
Get an introduction to motivational interviewing in vocational rehabilitation. You will learn about stages of change, motivation, ambivalence, and the spirit and basic concepts of motivational interviewing. - Motivational Interviewing Video Playlist – Oregon Department of Human Resources (ODHS)
Delve into this collection of 24 motivational interviewing videos available on the ODHS YouTube Channel. Some videos were developed by Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation to prepare their vocational rehabilitation counselors to utilize MI in vocational rehabilitation settings. - Motivational Interviewing with Youth in the VR Setting - VR Youth Technical Assistance Center (Y-TAC)
Gain an overview of adolescent development and the match between adolescent needs and motivational interviewing techniques, including the OARS communication skills, the EPE method, strategies for developing discrepancy and agenda-setting, and how to roll with resistance.
Resources
- Motivational Interviewing Quick Tips
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a practical, person-centered, collaborative counseling method used to help people resolve their fears and develop internal motivation to change their behavior. Learn more with these quick tips for using MI as an employment strategy. - Rolling with Resistance - University of Buffalo
Access a workbook for training counselors in motivational interviewing. It contains chapters on the fundamentals of change, clarifying values, responding to resistance, motivational interviewing strategies, employment assessment, job readiness, and more. - Is Motivational Interviewing a Part of Your Vocational Rehabilitation Practice? – Project E3
Gain tips and tools to help you apply motivational interviewing in your vocational rehabilitation practice.