Here’s How Motivational Interviewing Can Help You Manage Depression

Motivational interviewing empowers people with depression to make behavioral changes.

How motivational interviewing supports depression treatment

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method of communication with particular attention to the language of change. When it comes to treating depression, motivational interviewing focuses on empowering people to explore their own motivations for change and to find the internal resources needed to make positive changes in their lives. In therapy, a therapist using motivational interviewing helps a person identify personal values, goals, and aspirations in order to increase motivation for change. This approach helps people with depression to recognize their own agency and ability to make meaningful changes in their lives, which can lead to improved mood and overall well-being.

Skills taught in motivational interviewing for depression 

As mentioned, motivational interviewing for depression is a therapeutic approach that focuses on helping people explore and resolve ambivalence about making changes in their lives. Some of the key skills taught in motivational interviewing for depression include:

Open-ended questioning

This skill involves asking people open-ended questions to encourage them to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings about depression. Open-ended questions help the person explore their experiences more deeply and express themselves more fully.

Affirmations

Affirmations involve recognizing and acknowledging the strengths and positive qualities of the person. In the context of depression, affirmations can help boost the person’s self-esteem and motivation to address their challenges.

Reflective listening

Reflective listening involves paraphrasing and summarizing what the person has said to show them that their thoughts and feelings have been heard and understood. This skill can help build rapport and trust, which are important for addressing depression.

Eliciting change talk

Change talk refers to the person’s expression of their desire, ability, reasons, and need for change. Motivational interviewing teaches practitioners to elicit behavioral change talk by asking about the person’s motivations and goals related to addressing depression.

Rolling with resistance

In motivational interviewing for depression, practitioners are taught to respond to resistance by empathetically acknowledging the person’s perspective and finding ways to shift the conversation toward exploring behavior change.

Building self-efficacy

Self-efficacy refers to a person’s belief in their ability to achieve their goals. Motivational interviewing helps practitioners build self-efficacy in people with depression by highlighting their past successes and strengths to reinforce their confidence in making positive changes.

Summarizing

Summarizing involves recapping the person’s thoughts, feelings, and goals related to depression. This skill can help clarify and reinforce the person’s commitment to behavior change.

Benefits of motivational interviewing for depression 

Motivational interviewing can lead to long-term benefits for people who struggle with depression. Through this approach, individuals may develop a greater sense of empowerment and self-efficacy, leading to sustained improvements in mood and overall well-being. By working with a trained therapist to explore their values and goals, people can develop a stronger sense of motivation to make positive changes in their lives, leading to long-term reductions in depression symptoms. Additionally, motivational interviewing can help people build healthier coping mechanisms and improve their ability to manage stress, leading to lasting resilience and improved mental health.

How quickly does motivational interviewing work for depression? 

Motivational interviewing can work quickly for people struggling with depression. By helping people explore their thoughts and feelings, set goals, and work through ambivalence, motivational interviewing can lead to behavioral change that can alleviate depressive symptoms. People may experience positive changes in their mood and outlook as a result of engaging in motivational interviewing.

How is medication used to treat depression?

Medication is commonly used to treat depression by helping to regulate the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms. Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) work on both serotonin and norepinephrine levels, while tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are older classes of medications that are typically used when other treatments have been unsuccessful. These different medications can be an important tool in helping people manage their symptoms and regain a sense of well-being.

Other types of treatments for depression 

In addition to motivational interviewing and medication, some other types of treatments for depression are as follows: 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

This therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression. It helps people identify and challenge their distorted thinking and develop healthier coping strategies.

Interpersonal therapy (IPT) 

IPT focuses on improving the quality of a person’s relationships and social functioning. It helps people address interpersonal issues and communication patterns that may be contributing to their depression.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy

This therapy combines elements of CBT with mindfulness practices to help people become more aware of their thoughts and feelings without judgment. It aims to prevent the recurrence of depression by teaching individuals how to effectively manage their emotions.

Intensive outpatient program for depression 

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) may be used to treat people with depression when traditional outpatient therapy or medication management is not providing sufficient relief. IOP provides more structured and intensive therapy and support than regular outpatient therapy while still allowing people to continue with their daily commitments. Through CBT, DBT, and group therapy, people in IOP learn coping skills, emotional regulation techniques, and relapse prevention strategies to help manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being.

Treatment for depression at Charlie Health 

If a young person in your life is struggling with a depressive disorder, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health offers a virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) that provides more than once-weekly mental health treatment for young people and families dealing with complex mental health conditions, including depression. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. With this kind of holistic depression treatment, managing depression is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start depression treatment today.