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
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 rapport
- Focusing – 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 steps
- Why empathy alone isn’t enough if there’s no movement toward change
- How to avoid getting stuck in endless venting or “nice” sessions with no direction
- A 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
