Trauma Based Motivational Interviewing

Using Motivational Interviewing to Overcome Trauma Disorders

The behavioral health field, particularly in terms of addiction treatment, is always looking for new ways to help people truly understand and embrace recovery, both as a concept and daily practice. 

One of the latest is Trauma Based Motivational Interviewing (TBMI), which is particularly beneficial for behavioral health clinicians through professional training and development. This powerful combination of two proven therapies is a more comprehensive and effective approach. 

Integrating insights from adverse childhood experiences and trauma-informed care into clinical practice can enhance the effectiveness of TBMI, making it more effective in addressing the needs of trauma survivors. Let’s get into what TBMI is, how it works, and why it’s a must-have in addiction recovery.

Keep reading our SOBRLIFE resource on a crucial topic, as we break down this newest wave of techniques designed to help complex clients and health care providers reach the goals needed in recovery.

What is Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing?

TBMI is a combination of two evidence based practices: Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing. TBMI helps facilitate changes in health behavior by addressing past trauma, recognizing how previous traumatic experiences shape clients’ actions and decisions, and using motivational interviewing to engage clients in adopting healthier behaviors. 

To understand TBMI we need to break down these components:

Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care is an approach that acknowledges the prevalence of trauma and the paths to recovery. It acknowledges the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, and staff and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.

Creating safe environments for trauma survivors is crucial to enhance patient engagement and resilience through understanding and support.

In a nutshell, it’s about asking “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational Interviewing is a counseling method that helps people resolve ambivalence and insecurity to find the internal motivation to change their behavior. It’s a practical, empathetic and short term process that acknowledges how hard it is to make changes in life.

Motivational Interviewing promotes health behavior change by supporting self-efficacy, helping clients build confidence in their ability to make health-related decisions.

Combining these approaches, TBMI creates a safe, empathetic space where clients can explore their traumatic experiences and find motivation for change and recovery.

How TBMI Works

TBMI operates on several key principles:

1. Safety First: Creating a physically and emotionally safe space is key. This allows clients to feel safe enough to explore their trauma and addiction issues.
2. Empathy and Understanding: Practitioners approach clients with genuine curiosity and empathy, not judgment.
3. Collaboration: The therapist and client work together in the recovery process, not the therapist as expert.
4. Empowerment: TBMI helps clients identify their strengths and resources to make positive changes in their life.
5. Choice: Clients are given choices throughout the treatment process to restore a sense of control that may have been lost due to trauma or addiction.
6. Cultural Sensitivity: TBMI recognizes that cultural factors play a big role in how people experience and respond to trauma and addiction.
7. Training: It is crucial to train health care practitioners in TBMI to effectively address the needs of underserved populations and improve therapeutic relationships, particularly in trauma-informed care settings.

In practice, a TBMI session might look like:

• Exploring the client’s trauma history in a safe and controlled way
• How trauma is related to substance use
• Identifying the client’s values and how they align (or not) with their current behavior
• Creating discrepancy between the client’s goals and their current situation
• Exploring the pros and cons of staying the same versus changing
• Building confidence in the client’s ability to make positive changes

The role of motivational interviewing competency assessment is also vital in enhancing practitioners’ skills in TBMI, ensuring they are well-equipped to support clients in various fields such as healthcare, criminal justice, and social services.

The Benefits of Practicing TBMI

TBMI has several advantages over traditional approaches:

1. Addresses Root Causes: By exploring trauma, TBMI helps clients understand the underlying reasons for their substance use, not just the symptoms. Additionally, TBMI empowers clients to adopt positive health behaviors by understanding the psychological and social factors influencing their health decisions.
2. Reduces Resistance: The non-confrontational, empathetic approach of TBMI can reduce client resistance to treatment.
3. Increases Engagement: By involving clients in their own recovery, TBMI can improve treatment engagement and retention.
4. Promotes Lasting Change: By building internal motivation, TBMI can lead to more long-term changes in behavior.
5. Prevents Re-traumatization: The trauma-informed approach ensures the treatment process itself doesn’t cause additional harm or trauma. It also acknowledges the relationship between trauma and substance abuse, providing access to comprehensive resources, including substance abuse groups, to support individuals dealing with these challenges.

Challenges and Considerations

While TBMI is a great tool it’s not without its challenges:

1. Training: Practitioners need training in trauma informed care and motivational interviewing. Specialized training for mental health clinicians is essential to enhance their skills and effectiveness in diverse settings, including healthcare and criminal justice.
2. Time: TBMI can take more time than other approaches especially in the early stages.
3. Emotional Intensity: Working with trauma can be emotionally challenging for both clients and practitioners.
4. Complexity: Balancing trauma work with motivational interviewing requires skill and experience.

Despite these challenges, many practitioners find the benefits of TBMI far outweigh the difficulties and get better outcomes for clients with trauma and addiction. Advanced studies in industrial and labor relations are also relevant for professionals in TBMI, as they equip individuals with the necessary skills to facilitate training and workshops in various health and justice sectors.

The “Recover Out Loud” Movement: Getting Motivated!

Now let’s shift our focus to a powerful and perhaps equally motivational trend in the recovery community: the “Recover Out Loud” movement. This grassroots movement encourages people in recovery to share their stories out loud and proud and break down the stigma.

The reasons behind the “Recover Out Loud” movement are:

1. Breaking Stigma: By talking about recovery people help to normalize conversations about addiction and mental health and reduce societal stigma.
2. Hope: Personal stories of recovery can give hope to those still struggling with addiction.
3. Community: Sharing experiences creates a sense of connection and community among those in recovery.
4. Public Education: First hand accounts educate the general public about addiction and recovery.
5. Empowerment: Speaking out can be empowering for people in recovery and reinforce their own commitment to sobriety.

SOBRLIFE: Leading the Way in Recovery Advocacy

At the forefront of the “Recover Out Loud” movement is SOBRLIFE, an organization that supports people in recovery and a sober lifestyle. SOBRLIFE is making waves with its approach to recovery advocacy and community building.

One of SOBRLIFE’s main initiatives is sponsoring events that celebrate recovery and sober living. These events serve several purposes:

1. Sober Social Spaces: SOBRLIFE events create fun and engaging environments where people can socialize without alcohol or drugs.
2. Community Building: These events help build connections among people in recovery and create a support network.
3. Public Awareness: By hosting public events SOBRLIFE increases the visibility of the recovery community and educates the public.
4. Healthy Lifestyles: Many SOBRLIFE events include wellness activities and reinforce the idea that recovery is about overall health and wellbeing.

SOBRLIFE has been most active in two locations:

• New York City: In the middle of one of the world’s busiest cities SOBRLIFE has sponsored an event recently that brought the recovery community together. By creating sober spaces in a city famous for its nightlife SOBRLIFE is changing perceptions and providing support for those in recovery.

• Delray Beach, Florida: As SOBRLIFE’s hometown Delray Beach has been a hotbed of activity. Known as the “recovery capital of America” Delray Beach is the perfect place for SOBRLIFE’s mission. SOBRLIFE has sponsored a recent July 4th water giveaway and community education events. These initiatives support people in recovery give back to the community and show the positive impact of sober living.

SOBRLIFE is showing that recovery isn’t just about not using substances – it’s about living a full and joyful life and being part of a community.

Get Motivated With Us in the SOBRLIFE

As we’ve seen in this article Trauma Based Motivational Interviewing is changing the way we treat addiction and recovery. By addressing trauma and building intrinsic motivation for change TBMI is a powerful tool for healing and growth.

And the “Recover Out Loud” movement and organizations like SOBRLIFE are changing the face of recovery and helping motivate those struggling with substances of all kinds to get clean and sober.

Whatever the method, the recovery movement is changing. As we keep innovating and busting myths we get closer to a world where everyone with addiction can get the support and resources they need to recover.

We hope you choose to join us in living the SOBRLIFE and keep coming back for the latest resources, apparel, and opportunities we offer!