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. Motivational Interviewing in Leadership: How to Motivate Staff and Build Buy-In

    1D AGO

    Motivational Interviewing in Leadership: How to Motivate Staff and Build Buy-In

    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. Monica Gilbert breaks down:  • Why traditional leadership approaches create resistance  • The difference between compliance and true buy-in  • How to identify when your team is dependent on you  • The role of values in motivation and behavior change  • Practical questions to evoke ownership and initiative  • How to use Motivational Interviewing in leadership settings You’ll also hear a powerful real-life example that illustrates how true motivation happens when people connect emotionally to what matters most. Because leadership isn’t about pushing people…  It’s about helping them see the value for themselves. 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

    16 min
  2. Resistance vs Discord in Motivational Interviewing: How to Handle “Resistant” Clients

    MAR 24

    Resistance vs Discord in Motivational Interviewing: How to Handle “Resistant” Clients

    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 completely transform your sessions. In this episode, you’ll learn:  • The difference between resistance, sustained talk, and discord  • Why labeling clients as “resistant” can be harmful to the therapeutic process  • How to recognize early signs of discord in sessions  • Practical Motivational Interviewing questions to reduce defensiveness  • How to shift from confrontation to collaboration  • How to bring conversations back to trust, curiosity, and partnership If you’re a:  • BCBA  • Therapist  • Psychologist  • Counselor  • Educator  • Or anyone working with behavior change This episode will give you practical tools to improve communication, increase client buy-in, and create more effective sessions. Remember:  It’s not about controlling the client…  It’s about guiding the conversation. 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

    17 min
  3. SLPs, BCBAs, and MI: How Better Collaboration Helps Families

    MAR 17

    SLPs, BCBAs, and MI: How Better Collaboration Helps Families

    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 Motivational Interviewing can help us approach these conversations with more curiosity, less defensiveness, and better outcomes for families. In this conversation, we cover: Where collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs often breaks downWhy jargon and assumptions create so much frictionHow social media has shaped perceptions of ABAWhat clinicians can do to enter difficult conversations with more curiosityWhy parents should never be stuck in the middle of professional disagreementsSmall communication shifts that can strengthen collaboration immediatelyThis episode is for BCBAs, SLPs, OTs, psychologists, educators, and anyone who wants to work better across disciplines. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing:  better outcomes for the child and less stress for the family. 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

    35 min
  4. When Helping Too Much Backfires: Prompt Dependency in Therapy

    MAR 10

    When Helping Too Much Backfires: Prompt Dependency in Therapy

    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, or solutions… instead of developing the confidence to problem-solve on their own. And often, it happens with the best intentions. In this episode we explore: What prompt dependency actually looks like in therapyWhy over-helping feels good to the therapist (even when it backfires)How giving answers too quickly blocks autonomy and confidenceWhy silence can be one of the most powerful clinical toolsHow Motivational Interviewing shifts us from directing to evokingBecause the real goal of therapy isn’t to be needed forever. It’s to help clients realize they don’t need us as much as they thought. 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

    20 min
  5. The Difference Between Rapport and Buy-In

    MAR 3

    The Difference Between Rapport and Buy-In

    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 goalHow to tell when a parent truly has buy-inThe mistake clinicians make when they move too quickly into “fixing”Why curiosity is your most powerful clinical toolHow to explore both the benefits and costs of change (yes, both sides)If you’ve ever thought:  “But they like me… so why aren’t they doing it?” This episode is for 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

    15 min
  6. MI for Neurodiversity: What Works for Autism, ADHD & PDA (Without Pressure)

    FEB 24

    MI for Neurodiversity: What Works for Autism, ADHD & PDA (Without Pressure)

    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 approval isn’t always the motivator (and what to focus on instead) How processing speed + sensory load changes the way we should communicate Why short, concrete reflections often work better than long summaries What changes when demands feel threatening (PDA), even when your intentions are good The simplest shift you can make today: replacing “What’s your goal?” with “What feels important right now?” You’ll leave with language you can use immediately—especially if you work with teens, adults, or verbal kids who want change… just not at the cost of feeling controlled. 🎧 Listen now, and tell me: what neurodivergent profile do you work with most? 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
  7. Why People Don’t Change—Even When the Help Is “Good” with Dr. Paul Gavoni

    FEB 17

    Why People Don’t Change—Even When the Help Is “Good” with Dr. Paul Gavoni

    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 often a signal—not a problem * How values drive behavior more than information ever will * What happens when professionals unintentionally impose their own values * Why consent, buy-in, and engagement are skills—not personality traits * How Motivational Interviewing helps people change without pressure or coercion This conversation is for clinicians, educators, leaders, and helpers who’ve ever thought: “Why isn’t this working?” If you work with parents, staff, clients, or teams—and change feels harder than it should—this episode will help you see why. Learn More about Dr Paul Gavoni: https://thebehavioraltoolbox.com/ 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

    47 min
  8. Trauma-Informed Care Isn’t What You Think — How MI Restores Choice, Voice, and Agency

    FEB 10

    Trauma-Informed Care Isn’t What You Think — How MI Restores Choice, Voice, and Agency

    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 autonomyThe difference between trauma-informed care and permissive therapyWhy avoiding discomfort isn’t the same as providing safetyHow MI helps re-engage clients who feel “therapied out”How to balance compassion and movement in clinical conversationsWhether you’re a therapist, clinician, or someone who wants to communicate more ethically and effectively, this episode will help you rethink what trauma-informed care really looks like in action. 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

    17 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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