Room for Mixed Feelings
Motivational Interviewing
Part of you may want something to change while another part has reasons to keep things as they are. Motivational Interviewing makes room for both sides, without starting a conversation about substance use with pressure.
Who This Is For
MI can suit teens and adults who have mixed feelings about a change. Joseph is trained in this approach, including work with substance use and the anxiety, mood or family concerns that may accompany it.
- Teens unsure about change
- Adults questioning substance use
- Competing reasons and priorities
- Family impact of a habit
Focus of Care
What We Work On
Ambivalence
Reasons to change and reasons to hesitate.
Your Priorities
What matters to you beyond another person's expectations.
Everyday Impact
Effects on routines, relationships, school or work.
Possible Steps
Options you want to consider at your pace.
How We Work
We draw on MI through listening, reflection and questions about your own reasons for change. The pace belongs to the client. CBT skills or family conversations may support a decision once you want to work on a specific response.
- Motivational Interviewing
- CBT skills
- Values discussion
- Family conversations when relevant
What Can Shift
Mixed feelings can become easier to describe when they are heard without an argument. We examine what a habit offers and what it costs in your day. Uncertainty about change gives us something meaningful to discuss.
What Sessions Look Like
In a 50-minute session, Joseph may reflect back the reasons you have shared and check whether they sound right to you. We discuss possible steps without treating hesitation as failure.
Sessions are available in person in San Diego or through telehealth across California. When substance use requires detox or a higher level of care, we discuss referral rather than treating office therapy as enough.
Talking About MI
Your free 15-minute phone consultation can include questions about Joseph's approach and your concerns. We discuss insurance and superbills; benefit coverage varies with the plan.
Fees in Brief
Individual, couples and family sessions are 50 minutes. We are in network with many plans and provide superbills for out-of-network benefits. Contact us for rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Must I Be Ready to Stop a Habit Before Calling?
No, uncertainty can be the reason for the call. MI gives us a way to discuss what you want and what makes change difficult.
Does MI Tell Teens What Decision to Make?
No, the conversation explores the teen's reasons and priorities. Family concerns can be discussed without replacing the young person's perspective.
Is Joseph Trained in Motivational Interviewing?
Yes, Joseph is trained in MI. We can discuss how it relates to substance use or another change you are considering.
Can MI Replace Detox When It Is Needed?
No, detox or higher-level treatment requires referral when needed. MI can support discussion of care choices, but it does not provide medical withdrawal care.
Related Support
You May Also Want to Explore
Substance use counseling, teen care and individual therapy can include conversations about mixed feelings and possible change.
We can hear both the reason you want a change and the reason you are not sure about it.
Start With a Conversation