Trauma-Informed Motivational Interviewing: Meeting People Where They Are

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of spending the day in Jacksonville, FL with the incredible team at the Partnership for Child Health, leading a training on Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing.

The energy in the room was remarkable, with professionals deeply committed to supporting youth and young adults navigating some of life’s toughest challenges. Their openness and dedication reminded me why this work matters so deeply.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) by itself is a powerful, evidence-based practice for helping individuals explore ambivalence and move toward positive change. But when we integrate it with a trauma informed approach, rooted in safety, trust, compassion, and connection, it becomes transformative.

This combination invites authentic engagement. Instead of focusing solely on changing behavior, it focuses on understanding the person behind the behavior. It builds the conditions for healing by empowering individuals to feel heard, respected, and in control of their own journey.

For those working with vulnerable populations, especially young people who have experienced adversity, this approach isn’t just beneficial; it’s essential. Trauma informed strategies shift our lens from “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?” and ultimately, “What’s strong within you?” That shift allows for relationship-based care where true, sustainable change can take root.

I’m inspired that this dedicated group will continue the work through monthly community of practice meetings, creating space for reflection, collaboration, and skill building. It’s exactly the kind of ongoing engagement that helps organizations truly embed trauma informed care into their culture.

At Silver Linings International, we specialize in supporting professionals and organizations who want to take this next step, transforming their culture, leadership, and client interactions through trauma informed practices.Our Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing training is just one of the ways we help teams move beyond compliance toward genuine connection and impact.

If you’d like to explore how we can bring Trauma Informed Motivational Interviewing, or one of our other trauma informed leadership and supervision courses, to your organization in person or virtually, contact us here. Together, we can build environments where healing relationships and meaningful change can flourish.