DAY 16 - Ask for Help
Asking the client for help builds collaboration
Todays Prompt: DAY 16 - Ask for Help
It can be easy to get stuck in the MI conversation.
Sometimes we get stuck because the client gets stuck.
Sometimes we get stuck because we get stuck.
One of the safest places to go when we are stuck, is to make a reflection.
Reflections are wonderful in this way because it gives us time to regroup, just say back something the client just said, take a breath, trust yourself, and see what happens.
Another really cool place to go when you're stuck, is to ask for help.
And the best person to ask, when you want to ask for help?
Is the client.
Hey, I'm feeling a little stuck here, are you feeling that way too?
Hey, I'm feeling a little stuck here, what thoughts do you have on all this?
Hey, I'm feeling a little stuck here, what is coming up for you as we talk about this?
And I'm feeling a little stuck here, where do you think it would be good for us to go?
Me Asking
So I've been going at this for 16 days now. And I'm really glad I've been doing this. It's not easy to write something every morning, and at the same time I'm kind of loving it. And at the same time, I would love to ask for your help.
Would you be interested in writing one of our MI Prompts for the day?
Or even just sharing idea for a prompt?
Send me what you've got and let's add it into the mix!
Wishing you a great day of asking someone for help!
And please tell us how it goes
Sky
Comments from yesterdays prompt: “Wonder”
“We made it, we are here, we are natural gifts and to appreciate the presence in each gift.”
- Melaine“It’s no wonder that today we celebrate simply breathing, learning, and growing, because each of us is doing our best to be here.” - Fatma
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MI INTERMEDIATE CLASS:
The Power of Change Talk
June 13, 2025
FEELINGS FORUM
How to deepen MI conversations
when uncomfortable feelings (like sadness or anger) come up.
Wed, June 4, 2025, 3:30-5:00
More info here
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We are all in this together
Sky Kershner, LPC, ALPS, LCSW, DMin
Assistant Professor, WVU School of Medicine
MINT Certified Trainer of Motivational Interviewing
AAMFT Approved Supervisor / Member IEDTA / PACT L2
304-220-0088 / www.wv-mi.com / the mi-ai practice space
Hello Sky. Thank you for today's topic.
I once found myself at an impasse with a client. I summarized where we were and asked: in what direction would you like to continue this conversation to make it most useful for you. It's been a wonderful collaborative experience.
Regarding your request for help: I would absolutely love to contribute to the challenge. I use this principle of regular challenges with my training participants and I have a few topics in stock.
Here are some ideas, you can tell me (and the community too) if this would suit you:
- Cultivating silence and slowing down the pace of interviews
- Reflecting emotions
- Explore past successes
- I dare to record myself and listen to myself again with kindness...
Is there anything in these topics that inspires you or does it give you other, more appropriate ideas?
Florence
I've been away on vacation. Today I met with a student I'm mentoring for the first time in a while. I told them I wasn't sure about the best way to pick back up. So I asked them for their help.