Motivational Interviewing in Social Work Practice

“There is so much to love about this text. I teach two full semesters of MI to master’s-level social work students each year and the first edition of this book has been required reading. I look forward to using the second edition in my MI classes, and I also plan to incorporate it into my courses on substance use disorders. The second edition integrates the latest research on this respectful, empathic approach and brings it to the very practical world of the social worker, pairing specific content with the field’s ethics and standards for accreditation. It highlights current issues such as critical race theory, virtual service delivery, and the Grand Challenges for Social Work. The writing style is warm and accessible and every chapter is rich with relevant examples.”

—Mary Marden Velasquez, PhD, Centennial Professor in Leadership for Community, Professional, and Corporate Excellence, and Director, Health Behavior Research and Training Institute, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin; member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT)


“Structured for graduate social work education, this terrific addition to the MI literature would also be valuable for counseling and psychology students, as the explanations and applications of MI are exemplary. Hohman, the leading social work scholar in the MI field, has provided a significant gift at a time when we all need one. Highlights of the text include narratives written by social workers applying MI in innovative and powerful ways. The book makes the latest developments in MI scholarship accessible, and will enable readers to extend their knowledge of this approach and achieve more success for their clients.”

—Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, University of Maryland School of Social Work


“A ‘must read’ for social work educators who are interested in preparing the next generation of social workers for counseling and consulting with clients about behavioral change!”

—David L. Albright, PhD, MSW, Professor of Social Work and Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health Research, The University of Alabama School of Social Work


“While written for social work practitioners and students, this book extends a welcome invitation to all practitioners, making MI accessible, comprehensible, and relevant. Hohman shows how MI can be used in a wide range of settings and with culturally diverse persons. Examples from Hohman’s own practice and teaching are integrated throughout, and sample annotated dialogues articulate MI-consistent skills. The book situates MI in multiple theories of human behavior and motivation. The second edition extends MI into environmental work, trauma-informed practice, and food insecurity, and the entire chapter devoted to critical race theory is an essential contribution.”

—Cynthia J. Osborn, PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision, Kent State University; member, Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers