Applying Motivational Interviewing Principles for Change in Career-Focused Interventions

In the last decade, we have witnessed a body of primary research that confirms the effectiveness of using the principles and methods of the motivational interviewing approach for change in situations of stagnation and/or crisis in the field of career and work. The motivational interviewing approach is a client-centered therapeutic approach developed by Miller and Rolnik, and its goal is to promote change - setting goals and achieving them - by revealing the sources of the patient's internal motivation. On the learning day, we will learn about the principles and methods of the motivational interviewing approach and their unique application in career-focused psychotherapy , with the aim of helping the patient define the goals of change, consolidate his professional identity, and accompany him in actual realization in the world of work.

The need for therapeutic tools to drive and manage change processes in the world of work is increasing against the backdrop of an increase in the frequency of cases in which the therapeutic focus revolves around crises and dilemmas related to career management and self-fulfillment in the world of work, especially in the last year of the Corona pandemic. There are two main reasons for this. On the one hand, there have been changes in the individual 's perception of the workplace in his life. His career has become a central factor in defining his identity, along with the internalization of contemporary norms according to which career patterns characterized by a proactive approach to movement and change are valued (while stable patterns and persistence over long periods of time are perceived as reflecting stagnation). On the other hand, the world of work has also undergone far-reaching upheavals. It has become dynamic in nature, and does not provide employment stability as in the past. In the midst of an ever-increasing number of changes and transitions at career crossroads, some experience confusion and sometimes even helplessness and difficulty in defining the goals of change, in driving change, and in implementing it in practice. The motivational approach can offer tools for dealing with these challenges.

Structure of the learning day:
9:00-10:00 – Ambivalence-filled dilemmas and career pattern design: How the goal of change is defined using motivational interviewing methods in career and work-focused therapy.

10:15-11:30 – From determination to driving change, growth, and fulfillment at work: principles, tools, and illustration through case analysis.

11:45-12:15 – At a Crossroads – Demonstration and discussion in the case of an employment dilemma.

12:15-12:30 – Discussion of questions and summary.

Target audience: Specialist and intern psychologists, clinical social workers or social workers with a master's degree with experience in therapeutic work, expressive and creative therapists with a master's degree, master's degree students in psychology, and career counselors.

The cost of the learning day is 50 NIS.

Prof. Hedva Braunstein-Berkowitz – Professor (Retired) of Occupational Psychology. Established the Master's Degree Program in Occupational Psychology at the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College, and directed it for 14 years. Published numerous articles in the professional press in Israel and internationally. Her research focuses on empowering and weakening internal processes that shape the individual's career patterns and adaptation to the world of work. Prof. Braunstein-Berkowitz is an expert and instructor in the field of occupational counseling and engages in occupational counseling and therapy in a private clinic. Member of the editorial board of the journal 'Adam va Avoda'.

Ms. Yael HaCohen - Occupational psychologist specializing in occupational counseling. Graduated with a master's degree in occupational psychology from the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Academic College. Currently a second-year student in the "Ogen" program for integration-based psychotherapy at the "Mafshim" Institute. Engaged in occupational counseling and therapy in a private clinic, and writes a column on work and career issues on the "Mako" website. Previously, she wrote reviews of psychology books in the book supplement of the "Haaretz" newspaper, where she worked between 2004-2013 as a translator and editor.