Motivational Interviewing

In this episode Preston and Margaret are joined by Dr. David Roberts to explore the fascinating world of motivational interviewing (MI)—a counseling technique designed to help patients navigate ambivalence and commit to meaningful change. Dr. Roberts shares insights from his years of experience training psychiatrists and therapists, breaking down MI into practical techniques that anyone can use to foster deeper, more effective conversations. We even do a fake therapy session with our producer Aron Korney! Takeaways: Motivational Interviewing Bridges Ambivalence: MI helps people resolve mixed feelings about change by guiding them to articulate their own reasons for making a shift. Change Talk Sparks Action: Encouraging patients to express their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change strengthens their motivation to take action. Reflections Deepen Understanding: Simple and complex reflections help mirror a patient’s thoughts and feelings, making them feel heard while subtly guiding them toward insight. Pacing Matters: Being too directive can lead to resistance, while being too passive may feel ineffective—MI teaches a balanced approach that fosters real conversations. Practice Makes Progress: MI is a learnable skill that improves with intentional practice, making difficult conversations about change smoother and more effective over time. — Want more Dr. David Roberts: https://providers.uthscsa.edu/providers/david-l-roberts-1255650917/ Want more Aron Korney: Human Values Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/human-values/id1622760459 Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com