1. Incorporating Frederickson’s Broaden-and-Build Model into Motivational Interviewing Groups
Karen Ingersoll1 and Chris Wagner2
1University of Virginia
Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences
2Virginia Commonwealth University
Department of Rehabilitation Counseling
Symposium presentation at the
3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology,
Los Angeles, California
Saturday, June 29, 2013

2. Frederickson’s Broaden and Build Model
Evolutionary perspective on positive emotions
Negative emotions have obvious functions in response to dangers
Alert, Fight, Flight
Positive emotions have functions beyond indicating well-being
Experienced during times of no danger
Build resources for the individual and tribe
Spiral up from interest to hope, creativity, joy
Can lead to broader views, persistent efforts
Over time, related to generative efforts that build infrastructure and culture

3. Psychotherapy and Negative Emotion
People seeking help feel stuck
People seeking help feel demoralized
Traditionally focuses on distress and/or problems
Typically seek a reason in the past for current negative emotions

4. Frederickson, 2001, American Psychologist, 56(3): 218–226.
Positive emotions
“…broaden people's momentary thought-action
repertoires, widening the array of the thoughts and actions that come to mind (Fredrickson, 1998; Fredrickson & Branigan, 2001)...”
Frederickson, 2001, American Psychologist, 56(3): 218–226.

5. Psychotherapy and Positive Emotion
Can focus on building strength, moving toward better future
Motivational Interviewing
Does not seek deep insight from history
Focuses on present and near future
Does not install strengths or skills into a “damaged” person
Relies on eliciting from within a person
Uses client-centered (existential-humanistic) perspective

6. Individual and Group MI Similarities
Motivate change through resolving ambivalence
Balance client-centered and focus elements
Avoid instructive, prescriptive, or directive clinician behaviors
Balance focusing on current issues with staying open to new directions

7. Motivational Interviewing Groups
Integrate
MI techniques & strategies with
group psychotherapy processes

8. Integrating MI Techniques & Strategies with Group Processes
Group MI uses similar techniques as individual MI
Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
Group MI uses similar strategies as individual MI
Exploring, Envisioning, Hypothetical change, Overt planning

9. Integrating MI Techniques & Strategies with Group Processes
Group MI uses group therapy processes
Linking members’ experiences and themes
Encourages group member ownership of the group
Encourages positive social norms within the group
Mutual respect
Constructive interactions
Providing support

10. Four Phase Model of MI Groups
Engaging the Group
Exploring Perspectives
Broadening Perspectives
Moving into Action

11. Four Phase Model of MI Groups
Engaging the Group
Attending to group climate of inclusion, welcoming, “we”
Decontaminating the referral process
Developing working relationships and norms within the group
Eliciting group guidelines

12. Four Phase Model of MI Groups
Exploring Perspectives
Open the group with a focus on the whole person, not the “problem”
Exploring participants’ perspectives on their lives and issues
Exploring Lifestyles
Exploring Ambivalence
Exploring Values

13. Four Phase Model of MI Groups
Broadening Perspectives
Envisioning a more satisfying future
Considering options for change
Exploring and enhancing confidence

14. Four Phase Model of MI Groups
Moving into Action
Defining, planning and implementing changes to improve life
Importance/Confidence review
Hypothetical change
Change planning
Strengthening commitment to change
Getting started
Dealing with challenges and setbacks

15. Summary: Broadening and Building Across MI Group Phases
Engaging the Group
welcoming, eliciting
Exploring Perspectives
holistic exploration
Broadening Perspectives
envisioning, options, increasing hope/confidence
Moving into Action
embracing life change, committing, beginning anew

16. Structuring MI Groups Group types Structured to unstructured
Support, Psychoeducational, Psychotherapeutic
Structured to unstructured
Homogeneity vs. heterogeneity
Time-limited vs. open-ended duration
Closed membership to open enrollment

17. Questions? Comments?

18. References
Barbara L. Frederickson, (2004). The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, 359 (1449):
Barbara L. Frederickson, (2001). The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3): 218–226.
Wagner, C.C. & Ingersoll, K.S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing in Groups. New York: Guilford Press.