When you are looking into addiction treatment, it helps to know that not every therapy starts by pushing you. Some therapies start by helping you sort out what you really want, what has been getting in the way, and what might help you move forward. At Yonder Behavioral Health, employ many specialized therapies. Motivational interviewing, or MI, is one way people begin building real momentum in recovery.
MI is a practical, respectful form of therapy that helps you work through uncertainty about change. That matters in addiction treatment. A lot of people know substance use is hurting them, but they may still feel torn, discouraged, or unsure whether recovery is truly possible. Motivational interviewing helps bring those mixed feelings into the open and turns them into something useful.
For many people in rural Kentucky, that kind of approach feels right. It is personal. It is honest. It does not treat you like a problem to be managed. It treats you like a person who may need help finding your footing and your reasons to keep going.
If alcohol or drug use has left you feeling stuck between wanting help and not knowing how to start, motivational interviewing may be one part of a treatment plan that helps you move ahead with more confidence.
Need help getting past the part of you that feels unsure, worn down, or not fully ready? Motivational interviewing can help you find your reasons for change and then make that change with confidence.
Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that helps people explore their own reasons for change. Instead of arguing, pressuring, or lecturing, it uses conversation to help you look honestly at where you are, what you want, and what may be standing in your way.
That is important in addiction treatment because recovery is not always a straight line. A person may know that substance use is causing harm and still feel uncertain about giving it up. They may want a better life but feel scared of failing. They may be tired of the cycle but unsure whether they can really live differently. MI is designed for that kind of moment.
This therapy helps you talk through your own goals, values, and concerns. It gives you room to be honest without feeling judged. Over time, that can give you a sense of agency and control over your recovery journey. That confidence helps you meet and exceed treatment goals and maitain sobriety.
Addiction treatment works better when a person is engaged in the process. That does not mean they have to feel completely certain from day one. It means they need help moving from doubt and resistance toward a stronger sense of purpose.
Motivational interviewing helps with that shift. It can reduce defensiveness, build trust, and help you connect recovery to what matters most in your own life. That may be your children, your health, your peace of mind, your future, or simply the desire to stop living in survival mode.
In addiction treatment, motivational interviewing may help you:
For many people, MI is especially valuable early in treatment. It helps break through that feeling of being half in and half out. Once that starts to change, deeper work often becomes easier.
Motivational interviewing can help many people with substance use disorders, but it may be especially useful for those who feel unsure, discouraged, or emotionally worn down. Some people enter treatment feeling ready to change. Others come in feeling conflicted, pressured, or afraid. MI can meet people where they are.
You may benefit from motivational interviewing if you:
This therapy can be helpful at many stages of treatment, but it is often especially useful at the beginning, when trust and motivation are still taking shape.
Residential treatment gives you some breathing room. It gets you away from the stress, habits, and surroundings that may have kept your substance use going. Motivational interviewing can help you settle into that process in a way that feels honest and respectful.
That matters in rural Kentucky. Folks here usually value plain talk, real relationships, and being treated like a person, not a problem. Motivational interviewing starts there. It helps you talk through what has been weighing on you, what you want your life to look like, and what might help you keep moving forward.
In residential treatment, many people come in feeling guarded, ashamed, worn out, or unsure. MI makes room for those feelings without letting them run the show. It helps you speak honestly, build trust in the process, and start seeing treatment as something you are choosing for yourself. In a close-knit Kentucky community, that kind of personal, respectful approach can make a real difference.
Yes. Motivational interviewing can be helpful for people who are dealing with both addiction and mental health concerns at the same time. When anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional struggles are part of the picture, a person may feel even more uncertain about treatment or overwhelmed by the idea of change.
MI can help by creating a calmer, more supportive space to talk through those concerns. It does not force quick answers. It helps you work through ambivalence in a way that feels respectful and manageable.
For people with dual diagnosis, that can be important. Recovery may involve more than one kind of change at once. Motivational interviewing helps you stay connected to your reasons for healing while building the confidence to keep going.
Motivational interviewing may begin early in treatment, but its impact does not have to stop there. The insight and momentum built through this therapy can continue supporting you after a residential program ends.
During treatment, you may begin clarifying what matters to you, what kind of life you want, and what tends to pull you off course. After treatment, that clarity can still help. It can guide aftercare decisions, support your commitment during stressful times, and remind you why recovery matters when life feels heavy.
Recovery is not only about knowing what you should do. It is also about staying connected to why you want to do it. MI helps strengthen that connection so the work of recovery can keep moving forward.
Cost is often one of the first worries people have when looking into addiction treatment. When you are already carrying stress, it can be hard to make sense of what services may be covered and what treatment may cost.
Insurance may help cover treatment that includes motivational interviewing as part of a broader addiction recovery plan. Coverage can vary depending on your provider, your plan, and the level of care you need. Verifying your insurance is one of the best first steps because it gives you a clearer picture of what may be available.
If you have questions about treatment costs, insurance benefits, or your options for care, Yonder Behavioral Health can help you better understand what comes next.
Yonder Behavioral Health serves Berea and nearby communities like Richmond, Lancaster, Brodhead, Mount Vernon, and Crab Orchard. If you are looking for addiction treatment that meets you with respect and helps you build real motivation for change, help is close to home. You can find us at:
Yonder Behavioral Health: 330 Hotel Court, Berea, KY 40403
In residential treatment, motivational interviewing helps people work through uncertainty and become more engaged in the recovery process. It can be especially helpful early on, when someone may still feel conflicted, guarded, or unsure about treatment. MI helps connect the work of treatment to the person’s own goals and reasons for change.
Yes. In fact, that is one of the main reasons MI is used. It is designed for people who feel mixed or uncertain about change. Instead of judging that hesitation, MI helps you talk through it honestly so you can better understand what is keeping you stuck and what might help you move forward.
Yes. The progress made through MI can still matter in aftercare and everyday recovery. It can help you stay connected to your reasons for sobriety, your long-term goals, and the personal values you want your life to reflect. That can be especially important when stress or doubt starts creeping back in.
Motivational interviewing is less about teaching specific coping skills and more about helping you find your own reasons and readiness for change. It is collaborative, respectful, and focused on building motivation from within. For people who feel resistant or uncertain, that can make treatment feel more personal and more effective.
If part of you wants help but another part still feels unsure, worn down, or afraid of change, motivational interviewing may be one of the tools that helps you move forward. It creates space for honest conversations and helps turn uncertainty into momentum.
At Yonder Behavioral Health in Berea, we understand that recovery often begins with something simple but powerful: a real reason to keep going. Contact us online or call (859) 715-1116 to get started today.
Franklin Bland serves as Executive Director of Yonder Behavioral Health, bringing more than a decade of experience in the substance use disorder treatment field and a longstanding commitment to developing strong, compassionate teams.
Franklin holds a Bachelor of Health Administration from Capella University and has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout the SUD treatment field. He is intimately familiar with processes from the first call, to the ride to the next step in the recovery journey for those he has the honor of providing care for. Prior to entering healthcare, he spent approximately 20 years building and managing teams in the construction industry. Together, these experiences have shaped a leadership style centered on accountability, collaboration, mentorship, and the belief that exceptional client care begins with a cohesive and supported staff.
As a Mandt-trained leader, Franklin places a strong emphasis on trauma-informed care and expects staff interactions with patients to reflect dignity, respect, compassion, and an understanding of each individual’s experiences. He is passionate about mentoring employees, developing future leaders, and helping team members identify opportunities to advance in their own careers.
Franklin believes effective treatment must respect client autonomy, individual choice, and person-centered care. He recognizes that recovery is deeply personal and that there is no single path that works for everyone.
“Not all recovery looks the same, and every human deserves the chance to recover.”
As Executive Director, Franklin works to foster a culture in which compassionate care and accountability go hand in hand. He places a high value on interdepartmental collaboration and believes every department has a role in creating an environment where clients can feel safe, respected, and empowered to pursue lasting recovery.
Dr. William Cooke is the Medical Director of Yonder Behavioral Health, an inpatient facility dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders. With over two decades of experience in addiction medicine, Dr. Cooke leads the clinical team with a focus on evidence-based practices and patient-centered care.
As a board-certified expert in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, Dr. Cooke brings a holistic approach to treatment, integrating medical, psychological, and social support to address the complex needs of individuals on their journey to recovery. Under his leadership, Yonder BH emphasizes a “whole-person” philosophy, ensuring that each patient receives tailored treatment plans that foster long-term recovery and overall well-being.
Dr. Cooke is also a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), reflecting his commitment to advancing the field of addiction medicine through continuous learning, advocacy, and collaboration. He is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive, and effective environment where patients can begin their path to healing.
Norma Edwards is an accomplished Human Resources professional with more than 30 years of experience across human resources leadership, employee relations, recruitment, compliance, and organizational development. She has a proven track record of establishing and strengthening HR departments, developing effective systems and processes, and partnering with organizational leadership to support a strong and positive workplace culture.
Currently, Norma serves as Director of Human Resources at Yonder Behavioral Health / Aspen BHC, where she is an active member of the Leadership Team. She oversees all aspects of human resources and plays an integral role in supporting organizational compliance and operational effectiveness.
Throughout her career, Norma has successfully led human resources initiatives within new, rapidly growing, and established organizations. She is particularly experienced in building HR infrastructure from the ground up, developing effective policies and processes, and establishing collaborative partnerships with leaders throughout an organization.
Her professional experience spans the behavioral health, nonprofit, and hospitality industries, providing her with a broad perspective on workforce management, organizational culture, and employee engagement.
Jordan serves as the Director of Nursing at Yonder Behavioral Health and is passionate about helping individuals find hope, healing, and lasting recovery. She believes that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, especially during life’s most challenging moments.
Throughout her nursing career, Jordan has been dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward better health and wellness. Her approach is grounded in empathy, understanding, and the belief that meaningful connections can make a lasting impact on recovery.
Jordan is passionate about creating a supportive environment where patients feel safe, valued, and empowered to make positive changes in their lives. She is equally committed to encouraging teamwork, growth, and compassion among those who have the privilege of caring for others.
A strong advocate for recovery-focused care, Jordan believes in meeting people where they are and supporting them every step of the way. Her dedication to helping others and commitment to Yonder Behavioral Health’s mission continue to inspire patients and colleagues alike.
“I believe that every person deserves hope, compassion, and the opportunity to heal. Recovery is a journey, and it’s an honor to walk alongside individuals as they rediscover their strength and potential.”
Joshua Sherbert is a Kentucky native and serves as Program Director at Yonder Behavioral Health. He is passionate about creating a strong recovery culture built on connection, accountability, and support. Joshua believes in meeting people where they are while challenging them to recognize what they are capable of.
What he enjoys most about his work is building meaningful connections, developing a strong team, and watching people begin to believe in themselves as they build a better life through recovery.
Keisha Jones, LCSW, is an experienced behavioral health leader and licensed clinical social worker specializing in substance use disorder treatment, clinical operations, and patient-centered care. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from Campbellsville University, providing the foundation for a career dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by mental health and substance use disorders.
With extensive experience in clinical leadership, Keisha has a strong background in developing high-performing teams, supervising and supporting clinicians, improving clinical programming, and maintaining high standards of quality and regulatory compliance. Her experience includes overseeing multidisciplinary clinical services, strengthening treatment programs, and promoting evidence-based, person-centered approaches to care.
Keisha is passionate about creating treatment environments where both patients and professionals can thrive. Her leadership approach emphasizes collaboration, accountability, compassion, and open communication while maintaining a strong commitment to clinical excellence.
Throughout her career, Keisha has remained dedicated to advancing the quality of behavioral health and addiction treatment and helping individuals build meaningful, sustainable lives in recovery.
