Photo of Salma Elkaraksi, Psychological Associate in 77005, TX
Salma Elkaraksi
Psychological Associate, LPA
Verified Verified
Houston, TX 77005
Are you feeling like life could be more fulfilling, but fear, worry, and sadness seem to be holding you back? You've been on a journey, trying to find peace and happiness independently, and you've carried the weight of your emotions in silence for far too long. You're an empathetic person, deeply connected to your relationships, but sometimes, the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. You've considered seeking professional help, but doubts have held you back. Will your therapist truly understand your unique experiences, your culture, your background, and your upbringing?
Are you feeling like life could be more fulfilling, but fear, worry, and sadness seem to be holding you back? You've been on a journey, trying to find peace and happiness independently, and you've carried the weight of your emotions in silence for far too long. You're an empathetic person, deeply connected to your relationships, but sometimes, the emotional toll can feel overwhelming. You've considered seeking professional help, but doubts have held you back. Will your therapist truly understand your unique experiences, your culture, your background, and your upbringing?
(832) 551-1696 View (832) 551-1696
Photo of Niloofar Tavakoli, Licensed Professional Counselor in 77005, TX
Niloofar Tavakoli
Licensed Professional Counselor, MEd, LPC
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Houston, TX 77005
Sometimes life gets in the way of truly living. You may be feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Maybe you are more anxious than usual, noticing the impact of trauma in your life, or finding it especially difficult to navigate important relationships. Whatever has led you to this place, you are not alone. These experiences make it difficult to live the life you want and have meaningful relationships. My role is to help you move away from avoiding difficult experiences and move toward a more open and accepting perspective towards yourself and your experiences so that you can create the vital life you want.
Sometimes life gets in the way of truly living. You may be feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Maybe you are more anxious than usual, noticing the impact of trauma in your life, or finding it especially difficult to navigate important relationships. Whatever has led you to this place, you are not alone. These experiences make it difficult to live the life you want and have meaningful relationships. My role is to help you move away from avoiding difficult experiences and move toward a more open and accepting perspective towards yourself and your experiences so that you can create the vital life you want.
(281) 688-1665 View (281) 688-1665
Motivational Interviewing Therapists

How does motivational interviewing work?

Motivational interviewing aims to uncover a person’s internal motivation to change their life. Toward this end, the therapist listens, empathizes, and collaborates with the client based on their perspective; the therapist doesn’t adhere to a predetermined plan for change or impose their viewpoint on the client. Discovering an individual’s most important reasons for change, and guiding them to achieve those changes, can empower people to shift from ambivalence to action.

Is motivational interviewing evidence-based?

Yes, research shows that motivational interviewing can help treat alcohol and substance use — and in different ways such as reducing drinking, reducing resistance, and increasing the likelihood of staying in treatment. Motivational interviewing has also been shown to help people lose weight, adhere to medication regimens, improve diet for those with Type II diabetes, and improve healthy behaviors in children.

How long does motivational interviewing last?

Motivational interviewing is a short-term therapy that can last just one or two sessions. In some cases, motivational interviewing may be used in conjunction with longer-term therapies, but for most people, motivational interviewing is a brief intervention that aims to help patients understand their personal, specific, and internal reasons for changing their life.

What differentiates motivational interviewing from person-centered therapy?

In person-centered therapy, the individual is in the driver’s seat of the treatment process, creating space for them to trust their instincts and arrive at their own solutions. The two approaches are similar because motivational interviewing is also client-centered; however, person-centered therapy is more open-ended while motivational interviewing is somewhat more structured; the goal is to change, and the therapist helps the client specifically discover their internal motivations to modify their behavior.