The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change: The Essential Workbook for Creating the Life You Want

by Michelle L. Drapkin PhD

Overview

What do you really want in life? The powerful approach in this workbook will help you identify what’s important to you, so you can achieve real change—healthily, happily, and sustainably.

It’s said that the only constant in life is change. It should be said that obstacles to change are another constant, and they’re too often standing between you and a life spent thriving. Whether you’re trying to better manage your money, exercise more, or stop addictive behaviors, making positive life changes can be a huge challenge. On top of the inner turmoil of struggling with a big life change, you may face external roadblocks in the form of friends, family, and colleagues who might not understand how to best support you. So, how do you prepare yourself for this journey toward healthy, positive change?

The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change combines forty years of research-proven strategies along with skills from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you get started on the path to positive change. Using motivational interviewing (MI) tools, you’ll identify specific behavioral targets you would like to work on. You’ll also learn to connect with your intrinsic motivation to figure out the “Why?” of your journey, so you can commit to positive behavior changes consistent with your values. Finally, you’ll use your newfound skills to maximize your goals, overcome obstacles, and gain a healthier perspective on life.

If you’re ready to embark on a journey of self-reflection, determination, and improvement, let this guide show you the way to making real, sustainable changes. Go ahead, take the first step!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648481567
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	09/01/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Michelle L. Drapkin, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified psychologist who owns and operates the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center, and has worked in behavioral science for over twenty years. She held various roles as a behavioral scientist in industry, including leading the development and deployment of behavior change interventions at Johnson & Johnson. She held a national motivational interviewing (MI) training position at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and was on faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. Drapkin completed her PhD in clinical psychology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; and joined the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) in 2008. She has trained thousands of health care professionals and industry leaders in MI.

Editorial Reviews

The science of MI permeates this book. More importantly, Drapkin permeates this book. What a companion she is! You will get to know a kind, funny, helpful, open, and wise psychologist. She is ready to become your biggest supporter, to accomplish what until now has been so difficult. You will need to do your part, but her presence may make what seemed impossible, quite possible.”
—A. Tom Horvath, PhD, ABPP, president of Practical Recovery Psychology Group; and author of Sex, Drugs, Gambling, and Chocolate

A. Tom Horvath

If you’ve been working on a goal or change for longer than you’d care to admit, stop whatever you’re doing that isn’t working, and pick up this book! Drapkin provides a simple, user-friendly, engaging, and insightful process to help you tap into your motivation, reduce interferences, and stay enthusiastic through the change process.”
—Deborah Grayson Riegel, MSW, communication coach, and author of Go to Help

Deborah Grayson Riegel

Behavior change is HARD, especially if you’re not one hundred percent sure you want to or can change. Drapkin has come to the rescue with The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change. Her guidance is clear, enthusiastic, and most of all...motivating! I highly recommend this book for anyone who is thinking about making a change and could use a wise guide to help show the way.”
—Jill Stoddard, PhD, author of Imposter No More, and cohost of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast

Jill Stoddard

In our normal self-critical frame of mind, motivation is something we don’t have and can only get by taking the cotton out of our ears and shoving motivation into our thick skulls. It rarely works. This book gently asks compassionate and important questions, teaching us how to listen to our own deepest yearnings. Instead of shoving motivation in, this book artfully creates a space for the caring within to step forward and be known. Highly recommended.”
—Steven C. Hayes, PhD, originator of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Steven C. Hayes

I’ve never read a workbook in which the author’s voice was more alive in the words. Michelle Drapkin’s humor, empathy, and insight suffuse every page of The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change. In line with the spirit of MI, she embraces both/and thinking: This is your journey, and she will accompany you every step of the way.”
—Seth Gillihan, PhD, host of the Think Act Be podcast, and author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Seth Gillihan

As we come to understand psychological principles more clearly, it becomes possible for people to learn and apply them in their own lives. In this clearly written book, Michelle Drapkin conveys insights from forty years of research on motivational interviewing (MI) that can be applied to understand and shape your own motivation for change.”
—William R. Miller, PhD, emeritus distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at The University of New Mexico

William R. Miller

Whether you seek sustainable change in your own life, or guidance to design change journeys for others, Michelle Drapkin offers an accessible and engaging road map to get there. I’ve used MI in my design work for decades; since finishing this book, I’m bursting with energy and ideas to improve how I do it. Change isn’t easy, but having The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change in your pocket sure helps.”
—Amy Bucher, PhD, chief behavioral officer at Lirio, and author of Engaged

Amy Bucher

If you are looking for inspiration for personal movement forward or engagement in values-based living, then The Motivational Interviewing Path to Personal Change is the exact book you have been looking for. Michelle Drapkin has written a personable, witty, and thoughtful book about making major changes in life. Drapkin invites readers through focusing, tracking, choosing, and committing to live forward in meaningful and purpose-driven ways. A must-read for genuine and lasting change!”
—Robyn D. Walser, PhD, author The Heart of ACT; coauthor of Learning ACT and The Mindful Couple; and assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley

Robyn D. Walser

What a lovely guide for change! Thank you, Michelle Drapkin, for sitting in the living room with us and guiding us through the changes we hope for in our life. It is rare to get true expertise in the science of change, wrapped in a personal sense of being held and guided through this process we all face day to day: how to move toward the life we truly want.”
—Jeff Foote, PhD, clinical psychologist; and cofounder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC), and the CMC: Foundation for Change

Jeff Foote

This book is a gem! Having worked alongside Drapkin for many years, I have witnessed firsthand her applied science approach to human behavior and to truly helping people. This book combines her knowledge, excellent communication skills, empathy, and wit. Everyone will benefit from this book at their own pace, with limitless potential for positive impact in your life. It’s truly wonderful to see such an important contribution to people’s lives.”
—Jack Groppel, internationally recognized pioneer in the science of human performance, and hall-of-fame coach who has authored dozens of books and publications

Jack Groppel