InSight services utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI), a widely used evidence-based counseling style, which promotes positive behavior change by helping patients resolve ambivalence about tobacco, alcohol, and/or drug use. MI, developed by Miller and Rollnick, is a patient-centered approach that utilizes a supportive, empathic style and motivation-enhancing strategies such as listening reflectively, strengthening self-efficacy, using open questions, and affirming positive behaviors (Miller & Rollnick, 1991). Numerous controlled trials have demonstrated MI's efficacy for enhancing behavior change for alcohol and drug use as well as other types of health-related behaviors such as diet and exercise (Hettema, Steele, & Miller, 2005).

MI is delivered by a team of Specialists including nurses, social workers, and counselors. After participating in a series of training seminars and practicing MI skills with standardized patients, Specialists receive on-going support from experienced, highly skilled MI Coaches who meet with them biweekly to discuss cases, do role-plays, and provide feedback from reviews of audio tapes of patient sessions. Specialists also attend quarterly in-service presentations, and their proficiency with MI skills is evaluated quarterly by the Coaching team.

Hettema J, Steele J, & Miller WR. 2005. Motivational interviewing. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1:91-111.

Miller WR & Rollnick S. Motivational interviewing: preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York: The Guildford Press, 1991.

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