Inquiry is a term that is used in Mindful Self Compassion Teaching (MSC), and more recently it has been adopted for use in MSC based therapy. In this article I explore what Inquiry means, how to do it in the therapy room, and some ways in which it is similar to the practice of Motivational Interviewing (MI).

Recently, my colleagues and I were discussing ways to create learning environments that foster inclusion and belonging. During this conversation the question came up: “is the MI Spirit of Compassion, Acceptance, Partnership, and Evocation missing something?” I surprised myself with the enthusiasm of my reply “yes!” In this article, I hope to better explain why I hold this opinion. I will review some key points from Liberation Psychology and Cultural Humility. Ultimately, I will propose a new component that could be added to the MI Spirit.

As practitioners of Motivational Interviewing (MI), we aim to help others through compassion. Whether we are trainers, case workers, supervisors, physical therapists or play other roles, we practice MI as a skillful way to express our desire to be of benefit to others. We are united by our aim to reduce suffering and increase happiness in those we serve. But do we extend this same compassionate intention to ourselves? This article explores how Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) can be helpful in practicing and teaching Motivational Interviewing (MI).