Most professionals don’t struggle because they don’t care.

They struggle because the people they’re trying to help… don’t see what’s in it for them.

In this episode of MI for Change, I had the pleasure to sit down with Dr. Paulie to talk about why telling people what to do rarely leads to real change—even when the advice is solid and well-intentioned.

Together, we explore:

* Why “resistance” is often a signal—not a problem
* How values drive behavior more than information ever will
* What happens when professionals unintentionally impose their own values
* Why consent, buy-in, and engagement are skills—not personality traits
* How Motivational Interviewing helps people change without pressure or coercion

This conversation is for clinicians, educators, leaders, and helpers who’ve ever thought: “Why isn’t this working?”

If you work with parents, staff, clients, or teams—and change feels harder than it should—this episode will help you see why.

Learn More about Dr Paul Gavoni: https://thebehavioraltoolbox.com/

Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com

Join 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

with clients.

You’ll learn why trauma is fundamentally about loss of control, and how MI restores what trauma takes away: choice, voice, and agency — without removing accountability or direction.

This episode breaks down:

• Why “trauma-informed” has become a buzzword (and how it’s often misunderstood)
• How MI prevents re-traumatization by supporting autonomy
• The difference between trauma-informed care and permissive therapy
• Why avoiding discomfort isn’t the same as providing safety
• How MI helps re-engage clients who feel “therapied out”
• How to balance compassion and movement in clinical conversations

Whether you’re a therapist, clinician, or someone who wants to communicate more ethically and effectively, this episode will help you rethink what trauma-informed care really looks like in action.

Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com

Join 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

Giving assessment results to parents can be one of the most emotionally charged moments in clinical work.

In this episode of MI for Change, Dr. Monica Gilbert explores how Motivational Interviewing (MI) can help clinicians deliver psychological and educational assessment feedback in a way that feels supportive, collaborative, and empowering—instead of overwhelming or defensive.

You’ll learn why even technically accurate feedback can miss the mark emotionally, how fear and grief often show up as “defensiveness,” and what to say (and not say) when sharing difficult results like an autism diagnosis or learning challenges.

Whether you’re a psychologist, behavior analyst, therapist, school professional, or parent-facing clinician, this episode will help you transform feedback sessions into conversations that foster understanding and forward movement.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why parents may shut down during assessment feedback—even when you’re “doing everything right”
• How MI helps reduce defensiveness and emotional overwhelm
• Questions that invite collaboration instead of resistance
• How to evoke next steps without pressuring families
• Ways to balance clinical clarity with empathy and partnership

🎧 Listen now and learn how how you communicate results can change what happens next.

Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com

Join 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