HCPCBACPBABCPBPSInsurance accepted
[email protected]

When you're ready but not sure how

Motivational Interviewing Across The North East

A collaborative therapy that helps you explore your own reasons for change and build the confidence to act on them, at your own pace.

  • 44 Practitioners
  • 6 North East clinics
  • Free First Pathway call

How it works

A conversation that moves you toward change.

Motivational Interviewing is not about being told what to do. It is a collaborative conversation that helps you explore your own reasons for change, understand your ambivalence, and build the confidence to act on what already matters to you. The psychologist's role is to listen, reflect, and help you find your own motivation, rather than to persuade or advise.

MI is particularly effective when someone knows they want to change but feels stuck or conflicted. The approach works by exploring both sides of the ambivalence, gently drawing out the arguments for change that you already hold, and building confidence that change is possible. It is typically short-term and focused.

Originally developed for use with substance misuse, MI is now used effectively across a wide range of presentations including chronic illness, health behaviour change, and engagement with other therapies. It is practiced by HCPC-registered psychologists at Select Psychology.

Motivational Interviewing session at Select Psychology

What MI can help with

When you know something needs to change, but it feels hard.

  • Alcohol and substance use

  • Smoking and addiction

  • Eating and weight concerns

  • Physical health and lifestyle change

  • Medication adherence

  • Anxiety about change

  • Low motivation and ambivalence

  • Chronic health condition management

  • Risk behaviours

  • Reluctance to engage with therapy

How the match is made

The right motivational interviewing practitioner, matched with care

Our Pathway Team takes the time to understand what you're going through before matching you with a practitioner who has the right motivational interviewing expertise, experience, and availability. Good fit helps create the best foundation for effective support.

  1. 01

    Initial conversation

    The Pathway Team listens to what is happening and matches you to the right practitioner. Your therapist then agrees a personalised plan with you.

  2. 02

    Matched to an MI practitioner

    Select guides you to a psychologist trained and experienced in Motivational Interviewing, with relevant background and availability at your preferred location or online.

  3. 03

    Collaborative MI sessions

    Sessions explore your ambivalence about change, drawing out your own reasons and motivation. There is no pressure or agenda, just a structured conversation that moves at your pace.

  4. 04

    Building toward action

    As the work progresses, sessions shift from exploring ambivalence toward building commitment and confidence in the specific changes you want to make.

Practitioner fit

MI matched to where you are with change.

Motivational Interviewing meets you where you are. The Pathway Team takes time to understand the specific change you are considering and any ambivalence around it, before recommending a practitioner with relevant experience.

What the first conversation explores

  • The nature of the change you are considering and what is making it difficult
  • Whether MI is the right approach, or whether another therapy fits better at this stage
  • What matters most to you and where your ambivalence sits
  • Whether individual sessions or a broader package of support would be most useful

A simple first move

Not sure where to start? Talk it through with the Pathway Team.

Request a callback

Who you might work with

Practitioners who offer this

Browse the full team, or let the Pathway Team match you.

Where we offer this

Motivational Interviewing across the North East

Select Psychology Tynemouth clinic

Tynemouth

1 Tynemouth Road, NE30 4AY

Visit clinic
Select Psychology Newcastle clinic

Newcastle

The Grainger Suite, Dobson House, Regent Centre, NE3 3PF

Visit clinic

Also available all locations.

Explore related care

Conditions, clinics and related therapies

Conditions this helps with

Related therapies

Fees and insurance

Clear fees, and most major insurers accepted

No GP referral is needed. If you are using private medical insurance, tell the Pathway Team when you get in touch and they will help with authorisation.

Session fees

  • Relationship therapy£95
  • Specialist psychological therapy£110
  • Clinical & counselling psychology£140
  • Psychological assessmentsfrom £350
Insurers accepted

Bupa · Aviva · AXA · Allianz · Simply Health · Vita Health Group

Questions before you start

What people usually ask

1 What kinds of issues can MI help with?

MI has strong evidence for helping with substance use, including alcohol and drug misuse, as well as weight management, smoking cessation, and adherence to treatment for physical health conditions. It is also effective when someone is considering a significant life change but feels stuck or uncertain about whether they are ready to take that step.

2 How is MI different from other talking therapies?

Most therapies work on the assumption that you have already decided to change and need support with how. MI is designed for those who are still weighing it up. It does not tell you what to do; instead, it draws out your own motivations, helps you examine the costs and benefits, and builds your confidence in your ability to act.

3 How many sessions of MI will I need?

MI is typically a shorter-term intervention. Some clients benefit from as few as one to four sessions, particularly when the goal is focused and the ambivalence is not deeply entrenched. For more complex situations, MI is often used as a starting point before moving into another therapeutic approach.

4 Can MI be combined with other therapies?

Yes. MI works well alongside other evidence-based approaches and is often used as a first step to build readiness before moving into something like CBT or a structured behaviour change programme. Your therapist will discuss the best combination for your individual goals.

From the blog

Read more before you decide

What Happens in a CBT Session? A Step-by-Step Guide

A CBT session typically starts with a brief check-in, followed by a discussion about your current challenges, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Your therapist will help you identify unhelpful thinking patterns, develop practical coping strategies, and set a small action plan to practise between sessions. Most CBT sessions last around 50 minutes and are focused on helping you achieve specific mental health goals.

Select Psychology Team · 23 Jan 2026

Read article

The Step-by-Step Guide to the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Process

The cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) process typically involves an initial assessment, setting therapy goals, identifying unhelpful thought patterns, learning practical coping strategies, and applying new skills between sessions. CBT is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people manage anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, and other mental health challenges by changing negative thinking and behaviours.

Select Psychology Team · 9 Jan 2026

Read article

Get in touch

Ready to feel heard?

Leave your details and a member of our Pathway Team will be in touch, usually within one working day. Or call us directly on 0191 258 0008.

  • Confidential and judgement-free
  • No obligation, no pressure to book
  • No GP referral needed
Pathway Team available now

How can we help?

100% confidential, and only ever read by our Pathway Team.

Phone lines open Mon to Thu 8.30am to 5pm, Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm

Call Request a callback