MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health

In this episode of MI for Change , I’m joined by Hillary Logan, LCSW , MINT-certified trainer and founder of MI Center for Change , for a deep, practical conversation about sustain talk —or as Hillary calls it, “stuck talk.” Together, we explore what sustain talk is really telling us about a client’s readiness, why it’s protective (not resistance), and how to soften sustain talk without amplifying...

In this episode of MI for Change , I’m sharing one of my favorite topics: how to translate Motivational Interviewing (MI) into ABA language —in a way that feels objective, teachable, and easier to apply in real sessions. I walk you through a foundational paper— “A Behavior Analytic Account of Motivational Interviewing” by Michael Doerr & Paulette Christopher —and use it to break down MI concep...

If you’re new to Motivational Interviewing — or you’ve been “sort of” using the skills but still feel unsure — this episode is for you.  Today, I break down the exact starting point , the 3 essential habits every beginner should build , and how to know whether MI is actually working in session. I also share my brand-new definition of Motivational Interviewing (yes — the short, digestible version!)...

Are your sessions starting to feel like you’re just chatting without real movement toward change? In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert breaks down how to combine the OARS skills (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) with the four processes of Motivational Interviewing (Engage, Focus, Evoke, Plan) — so your conversations feel purposeful , not random. Using a...

What if one simple mindset shift could completely change the tone of your sessions? In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert shares a practical “mind hack” that can transform how you show up with clients, parents, and teams — especially when sessions feel repetitive or resistant. Fresh from her experience at the MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) conference, Monica r...

How do you give feedback that lands —without power struggles or performative praise? In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert shows how to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to coach interns and supervisees more effectively (and humanely). You’ll learn: Why the “sandwich method” fails (predictable, inauthentic, and forgettable) The PACE spirit of MI in supervision: Partnership, Accept...

How do you respond when a parent says, “We’ve tried that—it never works”? What about a supervisee who insists, “I already tried it,” or an intern who nods “got it” but never changes? In this MI for Change episode, Dr. Monica Gilbert walks through 16 real case scenarios across parents, supervisees, teams, and teens—and models Motivational Interviewing (MI) responses you can use today. Scenarios cov...

Ever worry your reflections sound “therapist-y”? Struggle when parents say they don’t have time ? Wonder how to prevent burnout , improve follow-through , or use MI with supervisees who insist “I tried that—it doesn’t work”? In this MI for Change Q&A episode, Dr. Monica Gilbert answers the most common questions she gets at conferences, webinars, and supervision sessions. You’ll hear practical,...

Working with schools can be one of the most rewarding — and most challenging — parts of our job. 🍎  In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores how to use Motivational Interviewing (MI) strategies to improve collaboration and communication with teachers, paraprofessionals, and school teams. So often, behavior analysts or therapists walk into a classroom eager to help, only to b...

Supervision doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. 🦷  In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can transform the way we communicate with supervisees and interns — turning resistance into reflection and compliance into collaboration. If you’ve ever felt frustrated when supervisees don’t take data, follow through on feedback, or seem diseng...

Have you ever avoided a difficult conversation with a client or parent because it felt too uncomfortable? You’re not alone.  In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores the “pink elephant in the room” — those unspoken issues that fill our emotional cup until it overflows. Through a simple (and slightly wet!) metaphor, Monica illustrates how avoidance can build frustration and bu...

Have you ever felt like you’re doing all the work when it comes to setting therapy goals? You define the objectives, outline the plan, and your client (or parent) simply nods along. But what if you could create goals with them — not for them? In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert explores how collaborative goal setting can transform engagement and outcomes in your sessions. Drawing...

What if the biggest barriers in your sessions aren’t your clients—but your communication habits? In this episode of MI for Change , Dr. Monica Gilbert breaks down the eight most common mistakes therapists and clinicians make when talking with clients —from over-advising too early to ignoring ambivalence or skipping rapport. You’ll learn why these pitfalls create resistance, what to do instead, and...

In this episode of MI for Change, we unpack the Transtheoretical Model of Change (Prochaska & DiClemente) and show how it fits seamlessly with Motivational Interviewing—so you can meet clients (and parents) exactly where they are and move conversations forward without pushback. You’ll learn how to recognize and respond to each stage: Pre-contemplation → plant seeds without pushing: use amplifi...

In this episode of MI for Change, we break down the four processes of Motivational Interviewing (MI)—a simple framework that helps structure your client and parent coaching sessions without making them feel rigid or forced. You’ll learn how to: Engage: build trust, rapport, and genuine curiosity with clients and parents. Focus: narrow down goals and use mapping to stay on track while remaining fle...

In this episode of MI for Change, we zero in on the core aim of Motivational Interviewing: eliciting change talk—and distinguishing it from sustain talk (arguments for the status quo). You’ll learn: What counts as change talk (vocalizations toward change) vs. sustain talk (arguments against change). How to categorize change talk with DARNCAT: Desire • Ability • Reason • Need • Commitment • Action...

In this episode of MI for Change, we open the toolbox and put OARS + I to work—the foundational skills of Motivational Interviewing you can use in sessions today. You’ll learn how to: O – Open-ended questions: move beyond “How are you?” to prompts that invite real dialogue (and when to use fewer with tangent-prone clients). A – Affirmations: spot and name authentic strengths without sounding gener...

Welcome to the very first episode of MI for Change ! In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I discovered Motivational Interviewing during my doctoral training, how it completely changed the way I worked with clients in substance use treatment, and why I knew it had to become part of behavior analysis and mental health practice. You’ll hear how simple MI techniques transformed client attenda...

In this episode of MI for Change , we dive into the heart of Motivational Interviewing — the spirit and science behind the approach that transforms how we communicate in ABA and mental health. You’ll learn how to ground your practice in PACE :  ✨ Partnership — creating alignment with clients and families.  ✨ Autonomy — respecting client choice to reduce resistance.  ✨ Compassion — approaching e...

Are you looking for less resistance, more buy-in, and stronger connections with your clients? MI for Change is the podcast dedicated to exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) in behavior analysis and mental health. Hosted by Dr. Monica Gilbert, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist, this show helps professionals transform client conversations — one question at a time. Each...