Chicago

THE CHICAGO INTERVIEWS 2011 v1.0 | Practitioner: William R. Miller

The Chicago Interviews 2011 are two highly detailed case studies of single interviews; the first with a woman with complex problems involving every aspect of her life - not least, her intermittent use of crack cocaine; the second with a young man struggling with addiction and the aftermath of unsuccessful surgery. At the core of each real-life interview is a digital audio recording and its transcript. Both are extremely moving sound portraits of MI in practice.   

The main components of the resource run in Listen & Read software that enables the user to hear the dialogue whilst following the automated transcript on-screen. The general agreement is that the learning potential of this system is far greater than a straightforward video recording.

Detailed commentary from Prof. Miller and a group of skilful MI practitioners is embedded in the software and assists the learner to appreciate the core processes of engaging, focussing, evoking and planning. The commentators do not speak with one voice - learners must reach their own conclusions about what is helpful and why.     

When published, the resource will be available as downloads from this website:

Format 1 | Non-commercial/Individual

This is the correct licence for use by individual learners and practitioners 

Format 2 | Commercial/Institutional

This is the correct licence for use by trainers, coaches, groups and institutions

Contents:

Client A | Denise Ernst PhD writes,

‘The beauty of this interview lies in the depth of the story. The counselor was able to elicit a story filled with ambivalence, steeped in conflicting emotions, and complete with vivid imagery of the problem created by the client. This is only possible because the counselor is listening with eyes, ears, and heart while at the same time keeping the focus on the hopeful, affirming, and client-directed resolution of the ambivalence. It was done with compassion and patience. The interview is also remarkable because of what the counselor doesn’t do. I would guess that many clinicians, including myself, would be tempted by this client to provide education, advice, suggestions, and possibly confrontation of irrational thoughts or unrealistic problem-solving. The counselor doesn’t do any of these.’

Denise B. Ernst Training and Consultation, Portland, OR. USA

Client B | Hans-Jürgen Rumpf PhD writes,

‘This interview is an excellent example of how a client moves forward in her motivation to change behaviour by eliciting her personal reasons for change. It is impressive to see how reflective listening advances the insight into ambivalence and reasons. In his reflections, the counsellor is very close to the ideas and feelings of the client. He keeps track of different conflicting cognitions and emotions, brings them together and presents them to the client who seems to experience several ‘light bulb’ moments. This is all done in a slow pace that enables the client to retrace her own discrepancy of values and behaviour. In several moments, coming to a solution was in the air. Instead of being premature, the counsellor continued to clarify reasons and need. The interview ends in a very hopeful and optimistic atmosphere and seems to foreshadow a resolution in the future.’

Hans-Jürgen Rumpf PhD, Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Germany

Publication Date | please complete the register if you would like to be notified by email of the publication date and other details, including prices.

These links will give you details of the other demonstrations:

Edinburgh Interview 2006 | Stirling Interview 2012