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SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days

Abstract

Psychotherapists and researchers alike reasonably express ambivalence in the extant literature concerning its effectiveness. On one hand, psychotherapists can feel relief that the more than 500 theoretical paradigms that exist are statistically effective in their treatment. On the other hand, research consistently indicates that the existence of evidence-based treatments have not decreased the prevalence of common psychological problems such as major depressive disorder. Barriers to treatment abound, and motivation/adherence to treatment protocols may be a difficult process for a patient suffering through a psychosocial quandary. Additionally, psychological disorders inherently have perpetuating behaviors that may impede or attenuate treatment progress. Motivational interviewing (MI) uses a person-centered spirit in order to elicit one’s own reasons for making a change in a patient’s life. Originally used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder, MI has expanded into several different dimensions pertaining to helping professions. While MI is not a comprehensive treatment protocol, this conversational perspective improves factors that directly lead to better psychological outcomes. In this case, MI shows promise in a twofold manner: MI effectively increases adherence to medication/treatment, fidelity to healthy behaviors, and is useful as clinical demeanor prior to and as another more targeted intervention is utilized.

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Stephanie Weigel

Department/Program

Psychology

Submission Type

in-person poster

Date

4-10-2024

Rights

Copyright the Author(s)

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