Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor in Psychology (Psy. D.)

Abstract

This doctoral specialty project titled Turning 'Meh' into 'Yeah!': Modifying Motivational Interviewing for the Collegiate Experience explores the adaptation of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to better engage college students in mental health services. Traditional MI is highly effective in resolving ambivalence and fostering behavior change, yet its structure does not always align with the brief, solution-focused counseling models used in university settings. This project examines how MI can be tailored for time-limited interventions while enhancing student autonomy, self-efficacy, and retention in care. It integrates core MI principles—including empathy, ambivalence resolution, and self-efficacy—with developmental psychology and neurobiological research. The final product is a specialized treatment manual designed for university counseling centers, incorporating practitioner-informed modifications, case studies, and structured session guides. By validating ambivalence, reinforcing self-efficacy, and promoting autonomy, this adapted MI framework aims to improve mental health engagement and retention, ultimately enhancing both academic and personal success.

Faculty Mentor

Joshua Turner, PhD

Department Affiliation

Psychology

Committee Member

Teresa Botts, PhD

Department Affiliation

Psychology

Committee Member

Michael McClellan, PhD

Department Affiliation

Psychology

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