A shift from coercive to curious
The 1980s was a challenging time for those seeking help with substance use. Standard treatment practice at the time often included the use of "tough love" and scare tactics, reflecting a widespread belief that addiction was nothing more than a moral failure.
Luckily, the 80’s was also when motivational interviewing (MI) was developed. Psychologists William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick knew a different approach was needed. They realized that real, lasting change happens when people feel heard, respected, and supported, not judged or coerced. So, they created a method that focused on drawing out a person’s own motivations, rather than imposing an agenda. That shift, from coercion to curiosity, was a game-changer. Originally developed as a treatment for substance use problems, it became clear that MI was a powerful tool for supporting any kind of personal behavior change.
At its core, MI is about helping people resolve ambivalence and tap into their own reasons for change. It’s not about persuading, pushing, or prescribing; it’s about partnering. Unfortunately, like many other mental health resources, access to MI has been a limiting factor for those who might benefit the most.
For MI to be successful, a key ingredient is a skilled, non-biased questioner. The entire approach is built around eliciting, not directing, change through inquiry and non-judgment. Accordingly, an effective MI practitioner acts more as a curious guide than an expert with an agenda.
But here’s the challenge: many organizations are facing high demand for mental health services alongside limited funding, workforce shortages and inadequate access to clinicians. The reality is, not everyone can see a mental health professional regularly — or at all.
Other paths forward
While seeing a good therapist is often considered the gold-standard of mental health care, there are useful alternatives when this level of support isn’t available. Many of the same foundational steps one may take in therapy can be accomplished outside a therapist’s office. Miller (2025) discusses three evidence-based self-improvement modalities:
- Bibliotherapy — written materials, such as self-help books, can provide guidelines and suggestions for self-improvement.
- Therapeutic writing — individuals explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through writing.
- Motivational interviewing — a communication framework for strengthening people’s motivation to change.
With the right delivery system, these methods on their own or in combination can help get people started down a positive path.
Solving the access problem
This is where digital tools come in — making mental health resources more accessible and scalable — without losing what makes them effective. Digitally-delivered interventions can be used before starting therapy, as a stand-alone option, or alongside formal group or individual treatment (Miller, 2025). Tools like Atlas put the power of MI in the palm of your hand.
Here’s how Atlas can help
- Atlas houses a comprehensive library of Interactive Journaling® materials. Interactive Journaling® is an evidence-based approach rooted in both motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) theory and practice.
- Atlas walks users through a process of discovery, reflection, and goal-setting that mirrors what a skilled clinician might do in session.
- In Atlas, users can access Journals, podcasts, and videos covering a wide range of topics, from substance use recovery, emotional regulation, building healthy relationships, changing harmful thinking patterns, coping with difficult feelings and situations, communication, and more.
And the key advantage technology gives us — they can do it anytime, anywhere, and at their own pace.
Why journaling?
There’s something incredibly powerful about journaling. It gives people space to think, feel, and express without interruption. Add in MI-inspired prompts and visual aids, and you’ve got a tool that’s more than just therapeutic. It’s empowering.
One of the central principles of MI is autonomy. People are more likely to commit to change when it’s their idea, not someone else’s. Interactive Journals help users uncover what truly matters to them, what’s holding them back, and what steps they feel ready to take.
The Journals don’t offer prescriptions, diagnoses, or prefabricated plans for a better future — they offer space. And in that space, users create their own plans for positive change. As an added bonus, every response can be downloaded and saved, giving users a personal record of their journey. This offers a way to look back, recognize growth, brush up on what they’ve learned and stay connected to their progress over time.
Ready when you are
With tools like Atlas, we’re putting the power of MI directly into people’s hands. That means more people, in more places, can start taking meaningful steps toward change… whenever they’re ready.
