Stephen Rollnick has enjoyed a remarkable career as the co-founder of Motivational Interviewing (MI). Together with William Miller, he co-authored the four editions of the primary text on MI, establishing its foundational principles and applications. In collaboration with Ruth Mann, he also co-authored the first article on the use of MI with people convicted of sex crimes, focusing the study on its use with a man who believed he was innocent of wrongdoing.

Dr. Rollnick’s contributions extend across a wide range of disciplines; he has written extensively about having helpful conversations—including those using MI—in healthcare and sports settings. His collaboration with mental health professionals, coaches, and others in helping roles has raised questions that go well beyond what one might expect, such as:

•  Can a professional develop self-awareness and help people feel safe, open to new ideas, and able to bring out their best, both individually and in group settings?
• What skills are needed to do this effectively in challenging clinical and organizational settings
• Can an individual find greater personal balance, become more self-aware, and channel their energy to best effect?
• Can groups and teams learn to be open, listen to one another, and unite around shared decisions that support change?

In this interview, Dr. Rollnick shares what he has learned about having compassionate, collaborative, and change-focused conversations with others in diverse settings, highlighting how this work informs many areas of abuse prevention. He also reflects on the development of Motivational Interviewing over the decades, offering a unique perspective shaped by his experience watching the approach change and grow.