MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health

"I've explained it five different times. They keep agreeing with me but nothing changes. I don't know how to get them to buy in." If you've sent that message to a colleague, said it out loud in supervision, or thought it at 10pm on a Tuesday -- this episode is for you. Dr. Monica Gilbert makes a case that might be uncomfortable: buy-in isn't the problem. The phrase it...

Dr. Monica Gilbert posted a 60-second reel meant to teach the difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication. The response told her something else entirely. In this episode, she unpacks why so many RBTs immediately recognized themselves in an intentionally exaggerated, role-played scenario — and what that reaction reveals about psychological safety, the “compliance illusion,”...

Dr. Monica Gilbert almost didn't record this episode. Here's the question underneath it: what happens if you get so good at parent coaching that your clients need you less? What happens if families become independent faster — and services fade sooner than they used to? As clinicians, that's supposed to be the win. But if you're honest with yourself, another thought sneaks in ri...

Mom wanted structure and safety. Dad wanted independence and flexibility. For months they couldn't agree on anything — and the BCBA caught in the middle was running out of ways to explain, mediate, and convince. So she asked Dr. Monica Gilbert to sit in. What happened in that session wasn't a technique or a script. There was no agenda. No talking points. Monica came in with nothing — and...

Here's something almost nobody in this field says out loud. Parent sessions feel awkward. Not always. Not with every family. But often enough that you've probably rehearsed what you were going to say in the car on the way there. Often enough that you've sat across from a parent thinking what do I do if they start crying? What do I say if they push back? Do I have enough to fill this...

Go back to your BCBA coursework for a second. Data collection. Behavior analysis. Program design. Ethics. Verbal behavior. The hours were real. The training was rigorous. And it prepared you to be an exceptional clinician for the children you work with. Now answer this honestly: how many of those hours were dedicated to sitting across from a parent who's heard your advice a hundred times — wh...

Quick question: who is your client? If you said the child — you're right. And you're missing half the picture. Here's the math nobody talks about in BCBA programs: your child client spends maybe 10 to 20 hours a week in therapy. They spend 100 or more hours a week with their family. If the parent isn't carrying what you're building in session, you are fighting against 100...

You went into this field because of the kids. The sessions with them — even the hard ones — leave you feeling something. Fulfilled. Purposeful. Like you're doing exactly what you were trained to do. But the parent sessions? That's a different story. If you've ever sat across from a parent — in person or on Zoom — and felt that slow crawl of frustration, that quiet defeat, that voice...

Most people think confidence is something you’re born with. It’s not. In this episode of MI For Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert breaks down the real reason you feel yourself shrinking in difficult conversations—and how to finally show up with confidence, clarity, and presence. Whether you're speaking to a client, parent, boss, or team member… that moment of overthinking, second-guessing, and want...

“Clients aren’t fighting you… they’re fighting to feel understood.” In this episode of MI4Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert breaks down one of the most misunderstood concepts in therapy, ABA, and leadership: resistance . Why do parents, clients, and even supervisees push back—even when they know the intervention works? It’s not defiance. It’s not lack of motivation. And it’s not something you need to “w...

What does Motivational Interviewing actually sound like in a real conversation? In this episode of MI For Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert walks you through a live role play using motivational interviewing techniques—followed by a step-by-step breakdown of exactly what was done and why it works. This is where theory meets practice. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to create psychological safety at th...

If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to actually apply Motivational Interviewing in real sessions—this episode is your starting point. In this foundational episode of MI4Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert breaks down the 3 essential pillars of Motivational Interviewing in a way that is practical, clear, and immediately applicable. Whether you’re a therapist, BCBA, psychologist, coach, educator, or leader...

In this episode of MI For Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores a powerful and often misunderstood comparison: Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People” vs. Motivational Interviewing (MI). While both approaches emphasize communication, connection, and influence, they differ in one critical way— the intention behind the conversation . You’ll learn:  Why the concept of “influence” can...

In this episode of MI4Change, we explore how Motivational Interviewing can be applied beyond clinical work—into leadership, business growth, and organizational culture. If you’re a:  • BCBA  • Business owner  • Clinical supervisor  • Therapist building a practice This episode will help you understand how to scale your organization in a way that is sustainable and aligned with your values. In this...

In this episode of MI4Change, we explore how Motivational Interviewing can transform the way you lead and motivate your team. If you’re a:  • BCBA  • Clinical supervisor  • Business owner  • Leader or manager You’ve likely experienced this: Your staff agrees in the moment…  But follow-through doesn’t happen. This isn’t just a motivation problem—it’s a values alignment problem . In this episode, Dr...

In this episode of MI For Change, we explore one of the most misunderstood concepts in therapy and behavior change: resistance . What if your client isn’t actually resistant? In Motivational Interviewing, what we often label as “resistance” can be better understood as: Sustained talk (arguments against change)  Discord (a breakdown in the relationship or communication)  And that distinction can co...

What happens when two professionals want the same outcome for a child… but speak completely different languages? In this episode of MI for Change , I’m joined by Rose Griffin, a speech therapist and BCBA, to talk about one of the biggest challenges in our field: collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs . We talk about where miscommunication happens, why jargon creates unnecessary walls, and how Motiva...

Helping your clients sounds like the right thing to do. But sometimes… helping too much actually creates the opposite of what we want. In this episode of MI for Change , we talk about prompt dependency — a concept familiar in ABA, but one that shows up in therapy, parent coaching, and leadership as well. Prompt dependency happens when clients begin to rely on the therapist for answers, direction,...

You can have great rapport…  and still have clients cancel, avoid homework, or “agree” without following through. So what’s missing? In this episode of MI for Change , I break down the difference between rapport and buy-in — and why they are not the same thing. Rapport means your client trusts you.  Buy-in means they see the value and own the change. We’ll talk about: Why compliance is not the goa...

If you’ve ever felt like traditional “motivation” strategies don’t land with neurodivergent clients… you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I break down how to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) in a way that actually fits autism, ADHD, and PDA profiles—without overwhelming, pressuring, or accidentally triggering shutdown. We talk about the practical stuff clinicians often miss: Why social appr...

Most professionals don’t struggle because they don’t care. They struggle because the people they’re trying to help… don’t see what’s in it for them. In this episode of MI for Change, I had the pleasure to sit down with Dr. Paulie to talk about why telling people what to do rarely leads to real change—even when the advice is solid and well-intentioned. Together, we explore: * Why “resistance” is of...

 with clients. You’ll learn why trauma is fundamentally about loss of control , and how MI restores what trauma takes away: choice, voice, and agency — without removing accountability or direction. This episode breaks down: Why “trauma-informed” has become a buzzword (and how it’s often misunderstood) How MI prevents re-traumatization by supporting autonomy The difference between trauma-informed c...

Giving assessment results to parents can be one of the most emotionally charged moments in clinical work. In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can help clinicians deliver psychological and educational assessment feedback in a way that feels supportive, collaborative, and empowering —instead of overwhelming or defensive. You’ll learn why...

Motivational Interviewing isn’t just about being warm, empathic, and reflective — it’s about being intentional . In this first episode of Season 2 , Dr. Monica Gilbert takes you beyond the basics and into the advanced, often untaught skills of Motivational Interviewing. If you’ve ever felt like your sessions are respectful and supportive… but not actually moving clients toward change, this episode...

In this episode of MI for Change , I share a surprising tool that can instantly sharpen your reflections and your ability to stay present with clients: the Meisner repetition exercise (a famous acting technique). Actors train for months to learn how to listen, respond, and stay emotionally present—so why do we assume these skills should “just come naturally” in therapy, supervision, or hard conver...