Motivational Interviewing in IOP: From Ambivalence to Action
Change isn’t easy. Even when you realize something needs to change, like drinking less, taking care of your mental health, or focusing on recovery, you might feel a struggle inside. One part of you wants to change, and another part resists. This is what therapists call ambivalence, and it’s a regular part of the healing process.
That’s where motivational interviewing in therapy can make a difference. Used widely in addiction treatment and mental health care, motivational interviewing (MI) is a compassionate, collaborative approach that helps you move past ambivalence and discover your own reasons for change. When combined with the structure of an intensive outpatient program (IOP in San Diego), motivational interviewing can help you move from uncertainty to action in a supportive, empowering way.
What Is Motivational Interviewing?
If you’re wondering, ‘What is motivational interviewing?’ you’re not alone. While therapists widely use it, it’s not a therapy approach most people outside the mental health field are familiar with. It’s a therapeutic style developed in the 1980s to support people struggling with addiction. Unlike more confrontational or directive approaches, motivational interviewing is built on empathy, respect, and collaboration.
The central idea is this: you are the expert on your own life. The role of the motivational interviewing therapist isn’t to tell you what to do. Instead, it is to guide you in exploring your values, uncovering your strengths, and tapping into your personal motivation.
Core principles of motivational interviewing include:
- Expressing empathy – Listening without judgment and seeking to understand your perspective.
- Developing discrepancy – Helping you notice the gap between your current behavior and your long-term goals.
- Rolling with resistance – Meeting hesitation with curiosity, not confrontation.
- Supporting self-efficacy – Reinforcing your belief in your ability to make lasting change.
This approach has proven effective in treating substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and more. It’s also a cornerstone of how many programs, including BOLD Health’s IOP in San Diego, help clients build momentum toward recovery.
Why Motivational Interviewing Matters in IOP
An IOP bridges the gap between once-a-week therapy and inpatient treatment. It offers several hours of structured therapy multiple days per week while still allowing you to live at home and maintain your daily routine.
Within our IOP in San Diego, motivational interviewing is especially powerful. Many people who enter treatment feel conflicted. You might recognize the harm caused by substances or behaviors, but also feel fearful of what life would look like without them. Or maybe you want to improve your mental health but worry whether you have the strength to do it.
This is where motivational interviewing shines. In the hands of a skilled motivational interviewing therapist in San Diego, this approach helps you resolve ambivalence and shift from “I don’t know if I can” to “I want to try.” That shift lays the foundation for progress in both addiction treatment and mental health recovery.
From Ambivalence to Change Talk
One of the unique features of motivational interviewing in therapy is its focus on change talk. Change talk refers to the things you say that point toward wanting change. Some examples include:
- “I hate how drinking makes me feel the next day.”
- “I know I’ve lost relationships because of this.”
- “I want to feel healthier and more in control.”
Even if you’re not fully ready, these statements reflect an inner desire for something different. A motivational interviewing therapist listens closely for this language and gently encourages more of it.
Through open-ended questions and reflective listening, your therapist helps strengthen the “change” side of your ambivalence. Over time, your own reasons for growth begin to outweigh your resistance.
Setting Goals That Stick
In motivational interviewing, goals aren’t dictated by the therapist. Instead, they come from you.
Rather than prescribing steps, your therapist might ask questions like:
- “What matters most to you right now?”
- “How does your current behavior fit (or not fit) with those values?”
- “If you decided to make a change, what would feel like a realistic first step?”
This collaborative approach means your goals truly align with your values. For example, you could reduce substance use rather than stop immediately, or commit to attending all IOP sessions for a month, or try a new coping skill between meetings.
When you set your own goals, you’re more likely to stick with them. Each success, no matter how small, reinforces your confidence that change is possible.
Relapse Prevention and Resilience
Recovery isn’t a straight path. Setbacks happen, but motivational interviewing equips you to handle them with resilience instead of shame.
In our IOP in San Diego, we often use motivational interviewing for relapse prevention, which includes: a
- Identifying your personal triggers and stressors.
- Brainstorming coping strategies that fit your lifestyle.
- Strengthening your commitment by reconnecting with your values.
When challenges come up, you’ll be better prepared to view them as opportunities to learn rather than failures. Instead of thinking, “I blew it,” motivational interviewing encourages a mindset of, “What can I learn from this, and how do I keep going?”
Motivational Interviewing in Action at BOLD Health
At BOLD Health, motivational interviewing is built into every part of our Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego. Whether you’re in group therapy, one-on-one sessions, or working on a relapse prevention plan, MI ensures your voice leads the way.
Our team of psychiatrists, therapists, and addiction specialists is trained in the principles of motivational interviewing. As your partners in healing, we help you:
- Explore ambivalence without judgment.
- Strengthen your personal motivation for recovery.
- Create realistic, meaningful goals.
- Build long-term resilience through relapse prevention strategies.
Most importantly, our approach ensures you feel heard, respected, and empowered every step of the way.
Take the Next Step Toward Change
If you’ve been caught between wanting change and fearing it, you’re not alone. Through motivational interviewing in therapy, you can uncover your own reasons for growth, build confidence in your ability to change, and start taking meaningful steps forward.
At BOLD Health, our motivational interviewing therapists in San Diego are here to guide you with empathy and expertise. Within our supportive IOP San Diego program, you’ll find the structure, care, and encouragement you need to move from ambivalence to action.
Contact us today to learn more about how motivational interviewing can support your healing and recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motivational Interviewing in IOP
Q: What is motivational interviewing?
A: Motivational interviewing is a collaborative counseling style that helps you explore ambivalence and strengthen your own reasons for change.
Q: How is motivational interviewing used in therapy?
A: In therapy, motivational interviewing guides you to set goals and build motivation without pressure or judgment from your therapist.
Q: Can motivational interviewing help prevent relapse?
A: Yes. It helps you identify triggers, build coping strategies, and strengthen commitment, making setbacks easier to manage.
Q: Do I need a motivational interviewing therapist in San Diego?
A: Working with a local therapist makes care accessible and consistent. In San Diego, IOP programs often include motivational interviewing.
Q: How does motivational interviewing fit into IOP San Diego programs?
A: In IOP, motivational interviewing is used in group therapy, individual sessions, and relapse prevention planning to support lasting recovery.