Interventions (MI)

What is Motivational Interviewing (MI) ?

Motivational Interviewing focuses on exploring and resolving ambivalence and centres on motivational processes within the individual that facilitate change. The method differs from more “coercive” or externally driven methods for motivating change as it does not impose change (that may be inconsistent with the person's own values, beliefs or wishes); but rather supports change in a manner congruent with the person's own values and concerns (Miller, 2013). Motivational interviewing (MI) is a behavioral change intervention approach that has been widely applied in health promotion.

Why MI?

Inspired by the success of two interventions that were designed with reference to MI and locally delivered in Ontario - “Gay Poz Sex” (GPS) and “SPUNK,” Gay Men’s Sexual Health Alliance (GMSH) has implemented a project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada since 2013 to support AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) in Ontario to implement individual - and group-based interventions that used MI styles for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion among gay, bi, trans and other men who have sex with men.

What is the GMSH MI Project?

The MI project had two main objectives:

1. To build ASO's knowledge and skills in MI by providing training and supervision.
2. To support gay men and other MSM to improve their sexual health by delivering individual - or group-based interventions that use MI styles.
3. Each ASO had 3 staff/volunteers trained in MI to facilitate an individual - or group-based program intervention. Most of them were peers who were identified as gay, bi, trans or other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Sources: W. Miller, 2013 & S. Rollnick (2013).

Gay Poz Sex is a group designed to address the sexual health needs of HIV positive gay men: www.gaypozsex.org
SPUNK was adapted from a research study “Exploring Choices” which examined MI efficacy among gay men who use substances: http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/spunkfaq
Exploring Choices: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/149447768/Exploring-choices-TGppt---AIDS-Committee-of-Toronto

For more information, please contact Vincent Francoeur