MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health

Monica Gilbert
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MENTAL HEALTH

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 episode delivers:  ✨ Practical MI strategies you can apply immediately in sessions ✨ Real case examples that bring concepts to life ✨ Inspiring interviews with experts across ABA and mental health Whether you’re an ABA practitioner, therapist, counselor, or student, you’ll discover how simple shifts in communication can reduce resistance, strengthen rapport, and spark lasting change. Because parent coaching and client conversations don’t have to feel like a struggle — they can be the spark that makes transformation possible. Subscribe today and join the journey to becoming a more effective, confident, and client-centered communicator. This is MI for Change.

  1. Beyond Basic Reflections — Advanced MI Skills That Create Movement

    2D AGO

    Beyond Basic Reflections — Advanced MI Skills That Create Movement

    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 is for you. Dr. Gilbert breaks down the seven levels of reflections, showing how each level serves a different purpose — and how higher-level reflections can reduce resistance, evoke insight, and gently guide clients toward change without pressure or confrontation. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why MI without strategy can become “polite conversation” instead of change workThe 7 levels of reflections, from simple to advancedHow to move from surface-level reflections to meaning-based reflectionsHow double-sided reflections normalize ambivalence and create movementWhat strategic hypothesis testing reflections are — and how to use them ethicallyWhy tone and intention matter as much as the words you chooseHow MI is like learning a new language — and why practice + feedback are essential💬 “MI isn’t just about sounding empathic — it’s about being intentional with where the conversation is going.” 💬 Join the Conversation: Which level of reflection do you find yourself using most often? Reply or comment — I’d love to hear what resonated with you. Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    18 min
  2. The Meisner Technique & MI Reflections — How Actors Train Us to Listen

    JAN 20

    The Meisner Technique & MI Reflections — How Actors Train Us to Listen

    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 conversations? I break down how the Meisner technique parallels Motivational Interviewing—especially reflections—and how you can use this as a practical exercise with supervisees, clinicians, or even in your own daily communication. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the Meisner repetition exercise is (and how to run it as a training activity)Why reflections are not parroting content—but mirroring meaning and emotionHow to notice micro nonverbals (tone shifts, hesitation, body language) and reflect what’s “alive”How to stay with emotion (including tears) without rushing to “fix” itHow to make your reflections more human, more transformational, and less roboticIf reflections ever feel awkward, “therapisty,” or forced—this episode will give you a new way to practice that feels natural and effective. Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    19 min
  3. Softening Sustain Talk & Cultivating Change Talk With Hillary Logan

    JAN 13

    Softening Sustain Talk & Cultivating Change Talk With Hillary Logan

    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 it, while intentionally cultivating change talk. We talk about: Why sustain talk isn’t the problem—but how we respond to it can beHow softening sustain talk mirrors behavioral principles like differential reinforcementWhen reflecting sustain talk helps—and when it accidentally strengthens itWhy silence feels so uncomfortable (and how to use it skillfully)How provider mindset, tone, and curiosity shape client outcomesUsing the four processes of MI (engage, focus, evoke, plan) as an assessment tool when sessions feel “stuck”This episode is especially helpful for clinicians who feel confident with OARS, but struggle with the technical side of MI—how to move sessions forward without fixing, pushing, or arguing. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn stuck moments into movement. Resources Mentioned MI Center for Change: www.micenterforchange.comLearn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    41 min
  4. Motivational Interviewing in ABA — An Objective Behavioral Definition + OARS as Verbal Operants

    JAN 6

    Motivational Interviewing in ABA — An Objective Behavioral Definition + OARS as Verbal Operants

    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 concepts like intrinsic motivation, ambivalence, discrepancy, the MI Spirit, OARS, change talk vs. sustain talk, and differential reinforcement through a behavioral lens. You’ll also hear the objective MI definition I constructed with input from behavior analysts: Motivational Interviewing is the intentional arrangement—through timing, tone, and type of verbal contingencies—designed to evoke, differentially reinforce, strengthen, and generalize change talk. If you’ve ever wondered how MI fits inside ABA (without losing the “spirit” of MI), this episode will help you connect the dots—and walk away with language you can use to train staff, teach interns, and strengthen parent coaching conversations. Resources Mentioned: A Behavior Analytic Account of Motivational Interviewing (Doerr & Christopher) — link in show notes/description (add your link)💬 Join the conversation: Reply/comment with your take: Which MI concept do you want me to translate into ABA next? Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    25 min
  5. How to Start Using Motivational Interviewing (Even If You Feel Lost!)

    12/30/2025

    How to Start Using Motivational Interviewing (Even If You Feel Lost!)

    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!) and answer some of the most common questions I’m asked inside trainings. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ The first MI skill you should use if you’re brand new ✅ How to integrate reflections without sounding robotic or scripted ✅ The three mindset shifts that immediately improve your MI conversations ✅ Why “intention” is the missing ingredient most practitioners overlook ✅ How to picture change talk vs. sustain talk using a simple thermometer metaphor ✅ The difference between supporting clients vs. pushing them ✅ How to know when clients aren’t “resistant”… they’re just not ready yet ✅ And what to do when YOU start feeling burnout or frustration 🗣️ Favorite Quote From This Episode: “MI is the intentional arrangement of timing, tone, and verbal contingencies designed to evoke and strengthen change talk.” Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    23 min
  6. How to Use OARS Across the Four Processes of MI

    12/23/2025

    How to Use OARS Across the Four Processes of MI

    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 fun “building a closet” metaphor (yes, with almost-divorce-level assembly stress 😅), Monica shows you how OARS are your tools, and the four processes are your roadmap. When you put them together intentionally, you stop spinning in circles and start guiding clients toward meaningful, sustainable change. Whether you’re a BCBA, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or other helping professional, this episode will help you: 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What OARS really are (from an MI and behavior-analytic lens)How to use OARS differently in each process:Engaging – using OARS to build trust and rapportFocusing – narrowing in on what actually matters (together)Evoking – drawing out the client’s own reasons for change (DARN CAT!)Planning – turning “why” into “how” with collaborative action stepsWhy empathy alone isn’t enough if there’s no movement toward changeHow to avoid getting stuck in endless venting or “nice” sessions with no directionA simple reflection prompt you can ask yourself before your next session:Which process is my client in right now? And which OARS skill fits best here? Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    27 min
  7. The Curiosity Mind Hack — Reframing How You Enter Sessions

    12/16/2025

    The Curiosity Mind Hack — Reframing How You Enter Sessions

    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 reflects on what it really means to be someone worth talking to — and how approaching sessions with curiosity and a blank-slate mindset can foster empathy, trust, and genuine collaboration. 💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: ✅ Why your mindset before a session shapes the outcome more than you think ✅ How to use curiosity as a clinical tool to uncover what’s really behind resistance ✅ The importance of starting fresh with each client — the “blank slate” approach ✅ How to “hack your brain” to stay open and calm, even during tough sessions ✅ Practical language shifts to build buy-in and connection instantly ✅ A powerful quote by Helen Mentha that redefines how we show up for our clients “Before you enter that room, remind yourself: Today, I’m going in with curiosity.” 🧠 Quote of the Week “Be somewhat good to talk to.  If you offer appointments, be someone worth going to see.  If you do home visits, be someone you’d want to let in your house.  If you see mandated clients, be a relief.” — Helen MenthaLearn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    14 min
  8. Coaching Supervisees with MI — Beyond the Sandwich Method

    12/09/2025

    Coaching Supervisees with MI — Beyond the Sandwich Method

    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, Acceptance (autonomy), Compassion, EvocationA step-by-step feedback flow using Ask–Offer–Ask (AOA) (ask for perspective → offer observations with permission → ask what landed & next steps)How to evoke supervisee-generated solutions (and real buy-in)Authenticity in practice (including Monica’s mailbox story—and why being human builds trust)Perfect for BCBAs, supervisors, fieldwork coordinators, and clinical leads across ABA and mental health. Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout. 📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert

    19 min
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out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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 episode delivers:  ✨ Practical MI strategies you can apply immediately in sessions ✨ Real case examples that bring concepts to life ✨ Inspiring interviews with experts across ABA and mental health Whether you’re an ABA practitioner, therapist, counselor, or student, you’ll discover how simple shifts in communication can reduce resistance, strengthen rapport, and spark lasting change. Because parent coaching and client conversations don’t have to feel like a struggle — they can be the spark that makes transformation possible. Subscribe today and join the journey to becoming a more effective, confident, and client-centered communicator. This is MI for Change.

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