Motivational Interviewing: Rolling with Resistance

Motivational Interviewing: Rolling with Resistance

Digital Therapist Guide • Printable Scripts • Client Reflections – And More

A Clinical Communication Guide for Therapists & Coaches

Grounded in the spirit of MI, this resource equips professionals to address resistance compassionately and elicit client motivation from within. Includes real-world scripts, discrepancy exercises, and MI-informed journaling tools for clients.

📘 Key Topics:

• Spirit of MI and therapeutic stance
• Expressing empathy with skill
• Rolling with resistance
• Developing discrepancy
• Supporting self-efficacy
• MI-informed journaling prompts & scripts

🛠️ Ideal For:

Therapists • Peer Specialists • SUD Professionals • Clinical Supervisors

🎯 Why It Matters:

MI enhances engagement and reduces resistance—two critical predictors of success in behavior change and SUD treatment.

Pre-view this product (click here)

PDF – Word Doc (click here) or check out our flipbook digital version (click here)

Specifications:

Format: Digital workbook (PDF), Word Doc, and printable scripts

Length: 35+ pages of therapist scripts, case examples, and practice prompts

Audience: Counselors, therapists, interns, group facilitators

Core Models: Motivational Interviewing (MI), Stages of Change, CBT

Features: Client-scripted dialogues, reflection exercises, empathy tools

Usage License: Unlimited reuse for clinical training or group facilitation

How to use:

Use this toolkit to teach and model Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques in group settings, supervision, or individual therapy. Includes MI-based responses to resistance, sample client-therapist dialogue, change talk prompts, and discrepancy-building strategies. Ideal for clinical training, client sessions, or relapse prevention education.

Common Applications:

• Roleplay in supervision or peer coaching
• MI skills lab in staff trainings
• Group discussion starters on change, ambivalence, and relapse
• Reinforcement of Stages of Change work in IOP/PHP settings

Details:

Motivational Interviewing is a foundational clinical tool for reducing resistance and supporting client-directed change. This resource equips professionals with the language, mindset, and structure to practice MI authentically and effectively. Includes therapist reflection examples, guided MI conversation templates, discrepancy tools, and empathy-building scripts. Aligned with SAMHSA, TIP 35, and trauma-informed best practices.