The Four Processes of MI: Engaging, Focusing, Evoking, and Planning

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 flexible.
• Evoke: elicit motivation and solutions from clients (instead of doing all the work yourself).
• Plan: move from talk to action with small, realistic steps that create momentum.

Dr. Monica Gilbert shares practical examples—like scaling questions, agenda mapping, and double-sided reflections—that you can use right away to strengthen conversations, reduce resistance, and avoid burnout.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see how these four processes create a natural flow that feels like a dance, not an arm wrestle—so your sessions are more collaborative, structured, and effective.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss upcoming episodes where we’ll dive deeper into applying MI across real-world ABA and mental health practice.

Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com

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