motivational interviewing across cultures: optimizing practice

This pragmatic guide describes tested ways to adapt motivational interviewing (MI) to optimize outcomes when practitioner and client come from different cultural backgrounds; in particular, when clients are members of marginalized groups. Using rich examples and sample dialogues, Christina S. Lee shows how affirming a client’s cultural identity is part and parcel of MI’s humanistic, person-centered mindset. The book provides instruction on key therapeutic tasks, such as strengthening rapport, asking about culture without stereotyping, and inquiring about experiences of stigma and discrimination in a way that increases motivation to change. Links between social and structural determinants of health, sociocultural stressors, mental health disparities, and substance use are highlighted. Special features include ＂Pause and Consider＂ sidebars and end-of-chapter key takeaway points.

This book is in the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, edited by Stephen Rollnick, William R. Miller, and Theresa B. Moyers.

Christina Lee, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Clinical Practice Department at Boston University School of Social Work. A licensed psychologist, she conducts research on health inequities and disparities, clinical intervention, and cultural adaptation of treatments, addressing structural determinants and sociocultural stressors to improve outcomes in substance use treatment. Dr. Lee is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). She is Senior Editor of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs and serves on the editorial boards of Alcohol Research: Current Reviews and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Her Boston University-based course on Substance Use and Treatment frames substance use treatment as a social justice issue.