MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health
MI for Change is the podcast dedicated to exploring Motivational Interviewing (MI) in behavior analysis and mental health. Hosted by Dr. Monica Gilbert, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Psychologist, this show helps professionals transform client conversations — one question at a time.
Each episode delivers:
✨ Practical MI strategies you can apply immediately in sessions
✨ Real case examples that bring concepts to life
✨ Inspiring interviews with experts across ABA and mental health
Whether you’re an ABA practitioner, therapist, counselor, or student, you’ll discover how simple shifts in communication can reduce resistance, strengthen rapport, and spark lasting change.
Because parent coaching and client conversations don’t have to feel like a struggle — they can be the spark that makes transformation possible.
Subscribe today and join the journey to becoming a more effective, confident, and client-centered communicator.
This is MI for Change.
MI for Change: Motivational Interviewing in ABA & Mental Health
The Meisner Technique & MI Reflections — How Actors Train Us to Listen
In this episode of MI for Change, I share a surprising tool that can instantly sharpen your reflections and your ability to stay present with clients: the Meisner repetition exercise (a famous acting technique).
Actors train for months to learn how to listen, respond, and stay emotionally present—so why do we assume these skills should “just come naturally” in therapy, supervision, or hard conversations?
I break down how the Meisner technique parallels Motivational Interviewing—especially reflections—and how you can use this as a practical exercise with supervisees, clinicians, or even in your own daily communication.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What the Meisner repetition exercise is (and how to run it as a training activity)
- Why reflections are not parroting content—but mirroring meaning and emotion
- How to notice micro nonverbals (tone shifts, hesitation, body language) and reflect what’s “alive”
- How to stay with emotion (including tears) without rushing to “fix” it
- How to make your reflections more human, more transformational, and less robotic
If reflections ever feel awkward, “therapisty,” or forced—this episode will give you a new way to practice that feels natural and effective.
Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com
Join the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout.
📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert
