Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow, Fourth Edition

About the Book

Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow, Fourth Edition by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick is a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying motivational interviewing (MI), a collaborative, person-centered communication approach that helps individuals strengthen their own motivation and commitment to positive change.

The book explores the psychological foundations and practical techniques of motivational interviewing, emphasizing empathy, partnership, acceptance, compassion, and respect for individual autonomy. Rather than persuading or directing people to change, the authors demonstrate how professionals can create supportive conversations that help individuals recognize their own reasons for making meaningful improvements.

A central feature of the book is its explanation of the four fundamental processes of motivational interviewing: engaging, focusing, evoking, and planning. Through these processes, readers learn how to build trusting relationships, identify important goals, explore personal motivations, address uncertainty, and support realistic action plans. The authors also discuss essential communication skills, including open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries.

The fourth edition expands the discussion to reflect the continued development and wider application of motivational interviewing across different professional environments. It includes updated research, practical examples, conversational illustrations, and guidance for using MI in healthcare, counseling, education, coaching, and other settings where supporting behavioral change is important.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its balance between theory and practical application. It helps readers understand not only the principles behind motivational interviewing but also how to use them effectively in real conversations.

Ideal for psychologists, counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, healthcare professionals, educators, coaches, and students of behavioral sciences, Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change and Grow, Fourth Edition is a valuable resource for developing effective communication skills and helping people move toward meaningful, lasting change.

About the Authors

William R. Miller, PhD, is an internationally recognized psychologist, researcher, educator, and pioneer in the field of motivational interviewing. He is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of New Mexico, where he has contributed extensively to research, teaching, and the development of evidence-based approaches to behavioral change.

Dr. Miller is widely known for his groundbreaking work on motivational interviewing, an approach that has influenced modern counseling, psychotherapy, addiction treatment, and healthcare practice. His research has focused on understanding human motivation, supporting behavioral change, and developing effective methods for helping individuals overcome challenges related to addiction and other health behaviors.

Stephen Rollnick, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, academic, author, and internationally respected expert in motivational interviewing. He is an Honorary Distinguished Professor at Cardiff University in Wales and has played a significant role in introducing and expanding motivational interviewing across healthcare, education, and other professional settings.

Dr. Rollnick has worked extensively with healthcare professionals, educators, and practitioners, helping them develop communication skills that encourage collaboration, empathy, and positive behavioral change. His contributions have helped make motivational interviewing a widely applied approach in clinical practice and professional development.

Together, William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick have played a central role in developing and advancing motivational interviewing. Through their research, teaching, and publications, they have influenced professionals worldwide and helped establish motivational interviewing as an important evidence-based approach to supporting meaningful and lasting change.