Motivational Interviewing for Victim Advocates Effective Communication Skills in the Response to Power-based Violence

Power-based violence— the kind of harm that is inflicted upon individuals or groups due to power imbalances— targets marginalized communities and violates their rights to human dignity. Addressing power-based violence requires challenging power structures, promoting equality, and fostering inclusive and respectful environments for all.

Victim advocacy refers to the support provided to individuals who have experienced some form of power-based violence: domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, human trafficking, and coercive control. Advocates help victims navigate the legal, medical, and social systems, provide crisis intervention, facilitate safety planning, and provide court accompaniment when necessary. The primary goal of victim advocacy is to empower victims and help them regain control over their lives in the aftermath of violence or oppression. To put it simply, advocates help people move forward to a brighter, safer, and freer future, even when something terrible has happened in the past.

This book shares best practices in motivational interviewing (MI) for victim advocates. Developed in the early 1980s by psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick, motivational interviewing was originally designed as a way to have collaborative conversations with people about their alcohol consumption. Over time, Miller and Rollnick have illustrated the utility of MI across many new and emerging areas: healthcare, leadership and management, fitness, education, athletic training, and more. As always, Miller and Rollnick remain the authority on the development of MI, and this book provides applications to the field of victim advocacy.

Dr. Watson holds a graduate degree in Psychological Counseling from Columbia University, a Doctorate in Health Policy and Social Justice from Drexel University, and a Certificate of Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

She is the President and Founder of The Advocacy Academy, which is a consulting company focused on the development of skilled victim and family advocates to reduce violence around the world. Through her work with The Advocacy Academy, she has conducted educational workshops in thirty-six states, eight countries, and across many fields: healthcare, education, social services, financial advising, victim advocacy, corrections, and leadership. On average, Dr. Watson speaks to 10,000 live audience members each year. She is an on-going consultant to the Department of Defense, the NFL, and to major television networks. In addition to her speaking and consulting work, Dr. Watson sits on the Board of Directors for The Lady Parts Collective, which is a Los Angeles-based theater company specializing in the development of work relevant to women in the United States. She is also a Director Emeritus for the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Dr. Watson is also the author of The Embodied Advocate and Only Trying to Help, which is also the name of her podcast, available at www.OnlyTryingToHelp.com.