The focus this week is on the basics of motivational interviewing and how it plays into the work you do in clinical nutrition. We’ll work on:

• What motivational interviewing is all about
• The rhythm of motivational interviewing
• How motivational interviewing plays a role in the Nutrition Care Process

But your real job this week is to notice what traps you tend to fall into, and what walls you most often hit.

• Do you gravitate towards lecturing?
• Do you rush through a greeting?
• Are you always prepared with exactly what you think your client should know?
• Are there times that you see your client mentally check out?

As you move through your counseling sessions and nutrition assessments, begin to pay attention to spots where the chat with your patients starts to lag or when you begin to feel a little rushed or maybe notice your patient’s attention starts to fade. 

Take note of these times, and as we work through the next few weeks you’ll have an idea of where you’d like to pay special attention based on your personal counseling style. Use the Week 1 Worksheet to jot down reminders of when these things occur.