MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & 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.
MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health
Motivational Interviewing in Action: 16 Case Scenarios for ABA & Mental Health
How do you respond when a parent says, “We’ve tried that—it never works”? What about a supervisee who insists, “I already tried it,” or an intern who nods “got it” but never changes? In this MI for Change episode, Dr. Monica Gilbert walks through 16 real case scenarios across parents, supervisees, teams, and teens—and models Motivational Interviewing (MI) responses you can use today.
Scenarios covered (with sample MI moves):
- Resistant parent — reflect discouragement + evoke previous efforts
- Hopeless parent — validate fatigue, search for the spark that keeps them showing up
- Overwhelmed parent — shrink scope to one small win this week
- Over-involved dad — affirm intention; perspective-take: “How do you think he feels…?”
- “School is the problem” — agree with a twist; share what works at home
- Minimizing parent (“he’ll grow out of it”) — future focus + miracle question
- Fearful parent — validate anxiety; explore values in tough moments
- Defensive couple — reflect shared goals; get one agreement this week
- Defensive supervisee — affirm intent; invite self-reflection
- Passive supervisee — support autonomy; evoke their voice
- Overconfident supervisee (“I already do MI”) — move to discovery with open questions
- Burned-out BCBA — reconnect to meaning and values
- Resistant team member — roll with resistance; try a low-risk experiment
- Eager-to-please intern — affirm honesty; co-design safe practice
- Conflict-avoidant supervisor — surface future costs of silence
- Ambivalent teen (vaping) — double-sided reflection to open change talk
You’ll hear: OARS in the wild, double-sided reflections, affirmations that land, “agreeing with a twist,” Ask–Offer–Ask, evocation, and autonomy-supportive language—applied to the situations you face every week.
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.
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