A Collaborative Counseling Approach for Clients Who Feel Unsure, Resistant, or Stuck
Change Is Hard — Especially When You’re Not Sure You Want It (Or Don’t Know Where to Start)
Maybe someone asked you to come to therapy. Maybe you’re here because of a court requirement, a loved one’s concern, or a personal feeling that something in your life needs to shift — but you don’t feel ready. You’re not alone.
At Neubauer Mental Health Services (NMHS), we use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their own reasons for change — in a way that feels empowering, not forced. Whether you’re dealing with substance use, behavior challenges, anger, or mental health resistance, MI gives you a safe space to talk through what matters to you — without being told what to do.
What Is Motivational Interviewing?
Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered, evidence-based therapy style that focuses on:
- Exploring ambivalence (your “yes, but…” feelings)
- Enhancing your internal motivation for change
- Building trust and confidence in your own decision-making
- Reducing resistance and increasing self-awareness
- Creating space for your voice, values, and goals
Rather than telling you what to change, we help you identify what you want — and what’s getting in the way.
Who Can Benefit From MI?
Motivational Interviewing is often used with clients who:
Are uncertain about changing behaviors (substance use, aggression, etc.)
Feel defensive, closed off, or pressured to attend therapy
Are court-ordered for treatment but not emotionally engaged
Want to change, but feel stuck in self-doubt, fear, or shame
Struggle with relapse, avoidance, or inconsistent effort
Are facing important decisions about relationships, health, or identity
Why Clients Appreciate MI
- No pressure, lectures, or shame
- Empathetic, respectful conversations
- Safe space to be honest about your resistance
- Focus on what you care about — not what others expect
- Helps you build internal motivation and self-trust
How MI Is Used at NMHS
MI is often a starting point that leads into deeper therapeutic work. It helps clients move from:
- “I don’t have a problem” → to → “Maybe I want things to be different”
- “I don’t want to be here” → to → “This might actually help me”
- “Nothing ever works” → to → “Here’s what I’m willing to try next”
Our clinicians blend MI with other approaches (like CBT or trauma therapy) based on your readiness and needs.
Begin with Confidence. Continue with Support. Heal with Purpose.
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself, your child, or a loved one, Neubauer Mental Health Services is here to provide compassionate, clinically sound care grounded in best practices and measurable outcomes.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
You don’t have to wait for things to get worse. Whether you’re a parent, partner, or individual in pain — help is here. Let’s build a path forward, together.