Scarica il documento - Dipartimento per la Giustizia Minorile

motivational interviewing for juvenile
(ex-) offenders
di Robert Suvaal
From 2001 to 2003 we have experimented in the Netherlands in trying out the
methodology of Motivational Interviewing as an instrument for our resettlement
approaches of juvenile (ex-) offenders. The experiences in my country proved to be very
positive.
Due to this perception I suppose it can be interesting for the field of Youth Justice in
Italy to make the acquaintance with this methodology, the more so because recently
there have already been two experiments with regard to MI aimed at Youth Justice in
your country.
What is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational interviewing (further in this article called Mi) is “a directive client-oriented
style of counselling meant to achieve a change of behaviour by helping clients to
explore and resolve their ambivalence. Compared with non-directive counselling it is more
focused and goal-directed. the examination and resolution of ambivalence is its central
purpose, and the counsellor is intentionally directive in pursuing this goal” (Miller & rollnick).
the purpose of Mi is by working together with the client to bring about a change of
behaviour - a change to which the client is not inclined naturally. together with the client
motivators are searched that can be helpful to achieve the desired change of behaviour. Mi
originates from the usa where it was developed in the 80’s for the benefit of the care of
addicts (mainly alcohol and drug addicts).
the most important characteristics of Mi are avoiding coercion and applying pressure.
instead Mi aims to look with the client for motivators towards the desired, alternative
behaviour. in the meantime research has convincingly proven the effectiveness. other disciplines
as well have started to make use of Mi, such as forensic psychiatry, prevention of
Hiv/aids and youth care.
the concept of Mi mainly consists of the starting points, the spirit, the principles and
the basic or micro skills.
the starting points are:
• Unconditional acceptance of the client.
• Constructive confrontation.
Speciale
165