Ep 88 – Using Motivational Interviewing in Crisis Response

Monday, April 28, 2025

Show Notes

Episode 88 – Using Motivational Interviewing in Crisis Response

Glenn and Sebastian welcomed Casey Jackson to discuss using Motivational Interviewing (MI) in crisis response situations. Casey is the CEO of the Institute for Individual and Organizational Change and an internationally recognised expert in evidence-based communication that drives real-world results. With over 40 years in behavioural health, Casey has trained thousands of professionals across healthcare, social services, first responders, and government—helping leaders and teams turn intention into lasting impact.

He is a long-time member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) and the lead author of the Motivational Interviewing Competency Assessment (MICA), a widely adopted tool for building fidelity in MI practice. Casey’s work centres on translating powerful communication strategies into practical tools that empower people to lead with clarity, connect with purpose, and create lasting change.

Episode index:

0:00 – Episode intro

6:25 – Casey’s introduction and early MI story

10:30 – “How do we help people help people?”

13:45 – Bridging law enforcement with mental health

19:50 – Deescalating the brain with MI

29:15 – Helping police officers respond to people in crisis

34:15 – The five intentions/mindsets: 1) Activation; 2) Guiding; 3) Expressing accurate empathy; 4) Partnership; and 5) Evoking

43:05 – Beyond reflective listening

58:30 – Opening an MI-based clinic

1:03:16 – End of episode

Links and resources: