Book Review: Finding Your Way to Change

Read this book to find your way to change and to learn how the power of motivational interviewing reveals what you really want and helps you get there.

Are you tired of being told by others–self-help books included–what you should do? Drs. Allan Zuckoff and Bonnie Gorscak understand. That’s why this book is different. Whether it’s breaking an unhealthy habit, pursuing that dream job, or ending harmful patterns in relationships, the key to moving ahead with your life lies in discovering what direction is truly right for you, and how you can get there.

The proven counseling approach known as motivational interviewing (MI) can help. Drs. Zuckoff and Gorscak present powerful self-help strategies and practical tools that help you understand why you’re stuck, break free of unhelpful pressure to change, and build confidence for developing a personal change plan. Vivid stories of five men and women confronting different types of challenges illustrate the techniques and accompany you on your journey.

MI has a track record of helping people resolve long-standing dilemmas in a remarkably short time. Now you can try it for yourself–and unlock your own capacity for positive action.

The process of Motivational interviewing (MI) has been called deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful. The author is a director on the MINT board. Therefore, he is highly qualified to write a book on how to change from a motivational interviewing standpoint. Most often, MI is a tandem process with someone in a coach or therapist role. It is the foundation of everything we do here at Take Courage Coaching.

To demonstrate, you follow five people on their journeys as they work through making changes in their lives. First, you’ll meet Alec who is working through family issues around alcohol and work hours. Then, Barbara is contemplating ending her marriage and getting a new job. Next, Collin is struggling in his personal relationship because of issues with anger. Dana is thinking about making a career switches with complicated extended family dynamics. Finally, you meet Ellie, who is struggling with weight issues and self-image. You’ll get to see how each person approaches their adaptation by using the process of MI and using the tools and resources introduced in the book.

Beginning with ambivalence and developing an understanding why it is important, the author walks you through each person’s change process. He does so with a measured pace that demonstrates how the process of change takes considerable time and effort. Key questions are included along with web links to forms to use as you work through your own change process.

To illustrate the process, readers explore their personal values, the importance of having confidence to change and practicing the steps of “taking change for a spin” in great detail throughout the course of the book. What I found to be very helpful were the times when the author dug deep into each specific step. For instance, “What makes this important to me?”, “What do I mean by this?”, and “How can I describe it more fully?”

All are reminiscent of the iceberg analogy in MI of going deeper. If you are looking to explore the MI process for yourself, this is a book that will clearly walk you through each step in the process. I think you will find it helpful in your journey.

Dr. Zuckoff is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and a faculty member in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh.

Get yourself a copy of “Finding Your Way to Change” on Amazon.com

Read another one of Kendy’s book reviews: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee G. Adams.