Evoking Change Talk From a Couple

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter discusses the impact of dyadic ambivalence on the process of evoking change talk. Dyadic ambivalence occurs when partners have divergent perspectives on change. In such instances, the use of traditional Motivational Interviewing strategies may exacerbate conflict. Counselor utterances that elicit change talk from one partner may elicit counter–change talk from the other. This chapter reviews a set of strategies for mitigating relationship discord—the presence of conflict between partners in session. These strategies are intended to create opportunities for partners to consider one another’s perspective and the potential for consensus. Once some degree of alignment in partners’ perceptions of the target behavior has been achieved, traditional evoking skills common in Motivational Interviewing practice can be employed successfully.