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This practical book provides effective strategies for helping therapy clients with anxiety resolve ambivalence and increase their intrinsic motivation for change. The author shows how to infuse the spirit and methods of motivational interviewing (MI) into cognitive-behavioral therapy or any other anxiety-focused treatment. She describes specific ways to use MI as a pretreatment intervention or integrate it throughout the course of therapy whenever motivational impasses occur. Vivid clinical material—including a chapter-length case example of a client presenting with anxiety and depression—enhances the utility of this accessible guide.
I. Integrating Motivational Interviewing into the Treatment of Anxiety and Related Problems
II. Assessing Readiness for Change
III. Understanding Ambivalence and Building Resolve
IV. Extending Motivational Interviewing into the Action Phase
V. Putting It All Together
Epilogue. Training and Future Directions
Appendix. Resources and Recommended Readings
References
Index
"A practical, compassionate, and clinically wise guide to effective treatment for clients who present with anxiety and related clinical concerns. Compelling descriptions—coupled with rich clinical illustrations—show therapists how to flexibly apply motivational interviewing and access clients' full potential and wisdom. Westra's sensitive and skilled instruction in combining 'ways of being' with 'ways of doing' makes this book a much-needed, extremely valuable contribution to the therapy literature. It should be read by all beginning clinicians and their supervisors, as well as by experienced clinicians looking to refresh and improve their practice."
- Lizabeth Roemer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston
"Westra masterfully communicates the conceptual basis of MI and its application to anxiety. While maintaining a strong commitment to empirical evidence, the volume is steeped in clear, compelling clinical illustrations and explanations. It provides original insights into how MI can be used to address difficult treatment issues in anxiety, including resistance and noncompliance. This is one of those few clinical manuals that I consider 'must reads' for all practicing clinicians, regardless of level of experience or therapeutic orientation. It is a substantial and noteworthy contribution that will enhance the treatment of anxiety."
- David A. Clark, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of New Brunswick, Canada
"Simply a wonderful book. This is an invaluable guide to using the spirit of MI to engage and collaborate with clients with anxiety. Ambivalence about treatment is viewed not as a hindrance but as an opportunity to explore, validate, and understand the client's salient preferences, fears, values, and goals. Therapist-client dialogues generously provided throughout the book illustrate the natural, flexible ways that MI can be incorporated into all stages of treatment."
- Nancy K. Grote, PhD, MSW, School of Social Work, University of Washington
"MI is one of the most promising approaches for helping anxiety sufferers resolve conflicting motivations and more fully immerse themselves in treatment. Yet having taught and supervised beginning therapists in a range of psychotherapy techniques for the past decade, I can attest that MI can be challenging to master. That is why we are fortunate to have this clear and accessible book, featuring vivid examples and thoughtful advice. Beginning student therapists and experienced clinicians alike will benefit from Westra's wealth of research and experience."
- Peter J. Norton, PhD, Director, University of Houston Anxiety Disorder Clinic
