Voyager Recovery Center in Lake Forest, CA, offers Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based counseling approach that strengthens internal motivation for addiction recovery.
MI is integrated across detox, residential, outpatient, and aftercare programs, helping clients resolve ambivalence, build confidence, and move through the stages of change.
What is Motivational Interviewing in addiction treatment? It is a collaborative, person-centered therapy that uses empathy and structured dialogue to help clients find their own reasons to change.
Licensed clinicians trained in the MINT model use MI alongside CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care to support substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and relapse prevention needs.
At Voyager Recovery Center in Lake Forest, CA, we understand that change doesn’t happen overnight. Many people struggling with substance use disorders or mental health challenges feel uncertain about whether they’re ready for treatment—and that’s completely normal. That’s why our team uses Motivational Interviewing (MI), an evidence-based counseling approach designed to help individuals explore their readiness for change and strengthen the motivation to recover.
Developed by psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick, Motivational Interviewing empowers clients to find their own reasons for healing. Rather than lecturing or confronting, our therapists in Lake Forest use open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries (often called the “OARS” method) to help clients identify internal motivation and build lasting progress in recovery.
Motivational Interviewing is a person-centered, evidence-based practice used in addiction treatment and mental health services worldwide. It’s built on the idea that true change must come from within—not from pressure or persuasion.
Unlike traditional confrontational approaches, MI is collaborative and nonjudgmental. It recognizes that people facing substance abuse or alcohol use disorders often feel ambivalent about quitting. Instead of forcing decisions, MI guides clients through that ambivalence using empathy, curiosity, and trust.
At its core, MI aims to:
In clinical psychology, MI is often described as a “brief intervention”—yet it has profound effects. Studies in the Cochrane Database and the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) show that MI consistently improves retention, readiness to change, and better outcomes in both inpatient and outpatient treatment settings.
Whether you’re reaching out for yourself or someone you love, you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here to listen, to guide, and to help you take that first step toward something better. Call us, ask questions, or just talk things through — no expectations, no pressure. Healing starts with a conversation. Let’s have it.
Motivational Interviewing helps people resolve mixed feelings about drug use, alcohol consumption, or other addictive behaviors through structured, compassionate dialogue. The therapist and client work as partners, not adversaries, creating an open environment where honesty and vulnerability are encouraged.
Through these steps, clients begin engaging in change talk—the language that reflects a genuine desire, ability, or commitment to change. Therapists carefully listen for this talk and use it to evoke motivation, helping people move from contemplation to action.
Voyager Recovery Center integrates MI with the Stages of Change Model, developed by Prochaska and DiClemente. This model identifies where someone is in their recovery journey and adapts counseling accordingly:
Motivational Interviewing meets clients at whichever stage they’re in—never rushing, never judging—helping them gradually move forward at their own pace.
Many people struggling with drug abuse, alcohol use, or mental health disorders know that change is needed but feel stuck between wanting help and fearing it. MI bridges that gap.
At Voyager Recovery Center, MI helps clients:
Research, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, shows that MI improves outcomes across multiple treatment populations—especially for young adults, adolescents, and those in criminal justice or public health settings.
At Voyager Recovery Center, our mission is to create a safe, supportive space for healing. Nestled in the serene setting of Lake Forest, Orange County, our luxury facility combines clinical psychology expertise with compassionate care.
We integrate Motivational Interviewing into personalized treatment programs that include:
Our clinicians are trained in the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) model, ensuring consistent, high-quality facilitation and genuine person-centered counseling.
Our licensed clinicians integrate MI into broader substance use disorder treatment programs, often combining it with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for even stronger results.
At Voyager, MI is used during key stages of care:
Because MI is flexible, it fits seamlessly into both inpatient and outpatient programs. Whether someone is just beginning detox or working toward maintenance, our therapists help clients find their own reasons for healing—reasons that last.
Motivational Interviewing is recognized by major organizations such as SAMHSA, the World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health as an evidence-based practice. Decades of research—including systematic reviews from Lundahl et al. (2013)—confirm its effectiveness in improving engagement, treatment completion, and sustained abstinence.
Studies also show that MI:
In short, MI helps people find their own “why,” which is essential for true recovery.
Motivational Interviewing can be helpful for anyone feeling uncertain about recovery—whether they’ve recently entered treatment or are still weighing their options. It’s especially effective for individuals struggling with:
MI is designed for real people living real lives. It meets you where you are and helps you find hope, even when you feel uncertain.
Change begins with a single conversation. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues, Voyager Recovery Center is here to help. Our compassionate team can guide you through your options, verify insurance, and build a plan that supports your motivation for change.
Call (949) 415-5104 to speak with an admissions specialist today. Discover how Motivational Interviewing—and a team that truly listens—can help you move forward, one step at a time.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based counseling method that helps individuals explore ambivalence about change, strengthen internal motivation, and build confidence in their ability to recover. At Voyager Recovery Center, MI is used throughout treatment to support meaningful, lasting progress.
MI is ideal for individuals who feel unsure about starting treatment, are struggling with resistance, or need support identifying their personal reasons for recovery. It is effective for people with substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and those in early or transitional stages of care.
Our clinicians integrate MI into detox, residential, and outpatient services. It is frequently used during assessments, early recovery, ongoing therapy, and aftercare planning to help clients clarify goals, navigate challenges, and maintain long-term motivation.
Yes. MI enhances the effectiveness of evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed counseling. When combined, these approaches help clients build skills, reduce relapse risk, and strengthen emotional resilience.
Absolutely. MI is specifically designed for individuals who feel uncertain or ambivalent about change. The nonjudgmental, collaborative approach helps clients explore their values, examine the impact of substance use, and identify their own readiness to move forward.
Dr. Lori Bohn is the Medical Director at Voyager Recovery Center and a Board-Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. With over a decade of experience in integrative medicine, she specializes in addiction psychiatry and women’s mental health.
