Psychotherapy Essentials to Go: Motivational Interviewing for Concurrent Disorders

A quick-reference, multi-media guide to using Motivational Interviewing (MI) to treat co-occurring disorders.

Addiction―whether to alcohol and drugs, sex, gambling, or Internet use―and mental health problems often go hand-in-hand. This concise book summarizes the key principles of a particular therapeutic approach to concurrent disorders, Motivational Interviewing (MI), which guides clients in eliciting and strengthening their desire for change. Laying out a four-stage treatment model―engagement, preparation, active treatment, and continuing care―the book walks readers through key facets of the therapeutic rapport at the heart of MI: working collaboratively on goals; connecting to the patient by understanding his or her strengths, needs, and concerns; and using the core MI skills of open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries (“OARS”). Readers are immersed in the spirit of MI through explanations and illustrations, preparing them for the practical challenges of therapeutic work with clients who suffer from addiction and mental health problems.

Included in this comprehensive guide are a DVD of sample therapy sessions and clinical explication that describe how to implement the protocol, as well as a laminated pocket reminder card. An on-the-go package of practical tools that busy clinicians won’t want to be without.

Carolynne Cooper, MSW, RSW, is a social worker at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. She works with groups and individuals using a number of models of psychotherapy for a range of clinical problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar illness, and addictions, including substance abuse and gambling.

Wayne Skinner, MSW, RSW, is Deputy Clinical Director in the Ambulatory & Structured Treatment Program at Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at the University of Toronto, he is Associate Editor (Canada) for the journal, Mental Health & Substance Use and a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).

Robert Maunder, MD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and head of research for Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry. His primary research interest is the role of interpersonal attachment on health.

Paula Ravitz, MD, is Associate Professor, Morgan Firestone Psychotherapy Chair, and Associate Director of the Psychotherapy, Health Humanities, and Education Scholarship Division for the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto, where she leads IPT training. She is also the director of the Mt. Sinai Psychotherapy Institute. Her clinical practice, teaching, and research focus on IPT and attachment informed psychotherapy.