What is an effective strategy for rolling with resistance in motivational interviewing?

An effective strategy for rolling with resistance in motivational interviewing is to change strategies to avoid arguing with patients. In motivational interviewing, one of the core principles is to foster a collaborative environment where patients feel heard and understood. When resistance presents itself, arguing or confronting the patient can exacerbate the situation and create defensiveness, which is counterproductive to encouraging change.

Adapting strategies means recognizing the patient's perspective and moving forward from their resistance in a non-confrontational manner. This could involve shifting the conversation to explore the patient's motivations or ambivalence toward change rather than trying to persuade them outright. By doing so, healthcare providers can maintain a supportive relationship and facilitate a collaborative dialogue that encourages the patient to voice their concerns and consider making positive changes in their behavior.

In contrast, simply telling patients that you believe in their ability to change, explaining errors in their thinking, or using open-ended questions in reflective statements may not effectively address the immediate resistance they are expressing. While those techniques can play important roles in motivational interviewing, they may not specifically focus on the act of rolling with resistance, which emphasizes flexibility and collaboration.