Let’s Find Out! Motivating Motivational Interview Evidence-based Practice in TR

Authors

Lora Hughes, Brigham Young University
Neil Lundberg, Brigham Young University

Keywords

motivational interview, evidence-based practice, therapeutic recreation

College

Marriott School of Management

Department

Recreation Management

Abstract

Diseases related to aging, developmental disorders, mental illnesses, acquired physical disabilities, and traumatic events cause untold human suffering each year. Many professionals seek to alleviate such suffering, including the discipline of therapeutic recreation (TR), which uses a holistic process of targeted interventions, leisure education, recreation participation, and experiential learning to encourage positive change in clients. When working with clients, recreation therapists (RTs) need evidence and direction for using the best practices in therapeutic communication¹. One such type of therapeutic communication, Motivational Interviewing (MI), has become popular since the 1970s, especially within mental health and substance abuse fields². MI “helps clients explore and resolve ambivalence,” discuss “overcoming barriers to change,” recognize their own desires for improved outcomes, and make plans to change³ behavior(s). Drawing on the growing interdisciplinary evidence, this study explored the literature to compile “evidence tables” needed by practicing and academic RTs⁴ to improve the field and reduce human suffering.

Recommended Citation

Hughes, Lora and Lundberg, Neil (2017) "Let’s Find Out! Motivating Motivational Interview Evidence-based Practice in TR," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2017: Iss. 1, Article 260.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2017/iss1/260