Motivational Interviewing in Action: 16 Case Scenarios for ABA & Mental Health

How do you respond when a parent says, “We’ve tried that—it never works”? What about a supervisee who insists, “I already tried it,” or an intern who nods “got it” but never changes? In this MI for Change episode, Dr. Monica Gilbert walks through 16 real case scenarios across parents, supervisees, teams, and teens—and models Motivational Interviewing (MI) responses you can use today.Scenarios covered (with sample MI moves):Resistant parent — reflect discouragement + evoke previous effortsHopeless parent — validate fatigue, search for the spark that keeps them showing upOverwhelmed parent — shrink scope to one small win this weekOver-involved dad — affirm intention; perspective-take: “How do you think he feels…?”“School is the problem” — agree with a twist; share what works at homeMinimizing parent (“he’ll grow out of it”) — future focus + miracle questionFearful parent — validate anxiety; explore values in tough momentsDefensive couple — reflect shared goals; get one agreement this weekDefensive supervisee — affirm intent; invite self-reflectionPassive supervisee — support autonomy; evoke their voiceOverconfident supervisee (“I already do MI”) — move to discovery with open questionsBurned-out BCBA — reconnect to meaning and valuesResistant team member — roll with resistance; try a low-risk experimentEager-to-please intern — affirm honesty; co-design safe practiceConflict-avoidant supervisor — surface future costs of silenceAmbivalent teen (vaping) — double-sided reflection to open change talkYou’ll hear: OARS in the wild, double-sided reflections, affirmations that land, “agreeing with a twist,” Ask–Offer–Ask, evocation, and autonomy-supportive language—applied to the situations you face every week.Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.comJoin the MI Academy for practical training and resources — and enjoy an exclusive 15% off with code MIFORCHANGE at checkout.📲 Connect with me on Instagram: @drmonicagilbert