U.S. Department of Justice

Motivational Interviewing

NIC Video: Two Probation Officer/Offender Contact Sessions

  • These two role-played scenarios can be used in training or skill coding sessions as examples of 1) a traditional probation supervision session, and 2) a supervision session during which the probation officer uses motivational interviewing skills. Coded and uncoded transcripts are available upon request. To order this DVD, ask for accession number 022005 by telephone (800.877.1461) or through the Online Help Desk (www.nicic.gov/helpdesk).
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Motivational Interviewing (MI) arose during the 1980s from alcohol counseling research. This research began to suggest that certain types of brief counseling interactions could be as effective as more lengthy interventions and that a certain kind of provider style was better at eliciting change.

MI is a person-centered communication method of fostering change by helping a person explore and resolve ambivalence. Rather than using external pressure, MI looks for ways to access internal motivation for change. It borrows from client-centered counseling in its emphasis on empathy, optimism, and respect for client choice. MI also draws from self-perception theory, which says that a person becomes more or less committed to an action based on the verbal stance he or she takes. Thus, an offender who talks about the benefits of change is more likely to make that change, whereas an offender who argues and defends the status quo is more likely to continue his or her present behavior.



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These two role-played scenarios can be used in training or skill coding sessions as examples of 1) a traditional probation supervision session, and 2) a supervision session during which the probation officer uses motivational interviewing skills. Coded and uncoded transcripts are available upon request. To order this DVD, ask for accession number 022005 by telephone (800.877.1461) or through the Online Help Desk (www.nicic.gov/helpdesk).

Direct Link: http://community.nicic.gov/files/folders/2699/download.aspx

Recommended Reading

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2012 NIC Publication
Motivational interviewing (MI) helps clients become less ambivalent about altering their maladaptive behaviors. This publication presents “scenarios that agents commonly encounter in their efforts to monitor and reinforce court/parole/institutional c... Read More
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This presentation is an extended interview with Dr. William Miller regarding the utilization of motivational interviewing (MI) in correctional settings. Topics discussed include:
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The use of motivational interviewing (MI) with offenders is described during this 12-hour program. MI is an integrated and "complex set of clinical skills and strategies based on the principles of autonomy, collaboration and evocation" (p. i). Sectio... Read More
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