Strength-Based Motivational interviewing in Palm Beach, Florida, Virtual Florida and Virtual Connecticut
Helping you tap into your inner wisdom, clarity, and capacity for change — even when you feel stuck
Many of the clients I work with are insightful, capable, and high-achieving. You’ve overcome obstacles before, and on the outside, people often see you as strong. But inside, you may be facing a quieter kind of struggle — a push-pull between what you know and what you feel:
You sense it’s time for a change, but part of you resists taking the next step.
You have moments of deep clarity, then find yourself back in old patterns.
You want to feel better, but a part of you is tired, skeptical, or unsure if change is even possible.
You’ve made progress in the past, but sustaining it feels harder than starting.
You feel split — one part wants growth, another part quietly fears it.
This inner ambivalence is incredibly common, especially when working with anxiety, depression, trauma, recovery, or major life transitions. It doesn’t mean you’re broken or unmotivated — it means your protective parts and growth-oriented parts are having a conversation, and they need to be met with respect and curiosity, not pressure.
This is where Motivational Interviewing (MI) can be transformative.
What Is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, strength-based therapeutic approach that helps you:
Explore and resolve ambivalence about change
Identify your own motivations, values, and internal wisdom
Build self-efficacy (your belief in your ability to change)
Move toward growth in a way that honors your pace and autonomy
Rather than “convincing” you to change or telling you what to do, MI invites you to discover your own reasons for moving forward. It respects that part of you may be afraid, uncertain, or exhausted — and it holds both truths: your desire for growth and your need for safety.
A Strength-Based Foundation
Many clients come to therapy feeling disheartened by past attempts to change — whether through willpower, self-help, or previous therapy that focused more on problems than strengths. Motivational Interviewing flips that dynamic:
✨ We begin with what’s working — your resilience, values, past successes, and existing skills — rather than what’s “wrong” with you.
✨ We honor ambivalence as a normal, intelligent part of change. Instead of pushing against resistance, we get curious about it. Often, resistance holds valuable information about fear, pacing, or past experiences.
✨ We collaborate as equals. I’m not the “expert telling you what to do.” Instead, I guide a structured conversation that helps you access your own clarity and inner leadership.
This strength-based stance is especially powerful for high-functioning adults who are used to being self-reliant, analytical, or “in control.” MI helps you step out of self-criticism and into self-trust.
Why Ambivalence Happens
It’s important to know: ambivalence isn’t a flaw. It’s often a protective response rooted in your nervous system and past experiences. For example:
If you grew up needing to be the “strong one,” letting go or changing course can feel unsafe.
If past trauma taught your body that change = danger, resistance might be your system’s way of saying “slow down.”
If anxiety or depression have been long-term companions, part of you might fear who you’ll be without them.
Motivational Interviewing creates a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore these layers without forcing an agenda. When both your hesitant and growth-oriented parts are acknowledged, change stops feeling like an internal battle — and starts feeling like a conscious choice.
How I Use Motivational Interviewing in Therapy
Motivational Interviewing isn’t a stand-alone script. I weave it through my work with somatic therapy, CBT, and trauma-informed approaches, tailoring it to your unique process.
In session, this often looks like:
Asking thoughtful, open-ended questions that bring your inner wisdom to the surface
Reflecting back your values, desires, and strengths to help you see yourself more clearly
Exploring both sides of your ambivalence with compassion, not judgment
Identifying small, meaningful next steps that feel aligned — not forced
Strengthening your internal commitment to change in a sustainable way
This process helps you own your healing journey, rather than feeling like you’re being “fixed.”
Pros and Cons of Motivational Interviewing
Like any therapeutic approach, Motivational Interviewing has strengths and limitations. Understanding these can help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your journey.
Pros
Respects your autonomy — You set the pace and direction of change.
Empowers inner wisdom — Helps you clarify and trust your own motivations.
Gentle and non-confrontational — Especially helpful if you shut down when feeling pressured.
Builds confidence over time — By recognizing past successes and strengths, you grow your self-efficacy.
Addresses resistance compassionately — Instead of labeling it as “defensiveness,” it’s explored with curiosity.
Integrates well with other modalities — Works beautifully alongside trauma therapy, somatic work, CBT, and coaching.
Ideal for ambivalence — Effective when you want change but feel uncertain, conflicted, or scared.
Cons / Considerations
May feel slow at first — Because the focus is on exploring readiness, not jumping into action.
Not directive — If you prefer a highly structured, advice-giving approach, MI may feel too open-ended.
Requires honesty and self-reflection — The process depends on your willingness to explore your inner landscape.
Not a crisis intervention — MI is less suited for situations where immediate behavioral change is required (e.g., acute danger).
Ambivalence may surface more clearly before it resolves — This can feel uncomfortable but is part of the change process.
In Person & Online
I offer strength-based motivational interviewing as part of therapy in Palm Beach, Florida (Delray Beach to Jupiter) and virtually throughout Florida and Connecticut. It’s particularly supportive for:
Anxiety, depression, or trauma recovery
Recovery from codependency, eating disorders, or addiction
Burnout, major life transitions, and identity shifts
People who are “ready but resistant” and want a respectful way to move forward
Start Where You Are
Change doesn’t have to start with force — it can begin with honest, compassionate curiosity. Motivational Interviewing helps you reconnect with the part of you that already knows the way forward.