The Meisner Technique & MI Reflections — How Actors Train Us to Listen

In this episode of MI for Change, I share a surprising tool that can instantly sharpen your reflections and your ability to stay present with clients: the Meisner repetition exercise (a famous acting technique).

Actors train for months to learn how to listen, respond, and stay emotionally present—so why do we assume these skills should “just come naturally” in therapy, supervision, or hard conversations?

I break down how the Meisner technique parallels Motivational Interviewing—especially reflections—and how you can use this as a practical exercise with supervisees, clinicians, or even in your own daily communication.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What the Meisner repetition exercise is (and how to run it as a training activity)
• Why reflections are not parroting content—but mirroring meaning and emotion
• How to notice micro nonverbals (tone shifts, hesitation, body language) and reflect what’s “alive”
• How to stay with emotion (including tears) without rushing to “fix” it
• How to make your reflections more human, more transformational, and less robotic

If reflections ever feel awkward, “therapisty,” or forced—this episode will give you a new way to practice that feels natural and effective.

Learn more about Motivational Interviewing and explore on-demand courses at www.drmonicagilbert.com

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