What is "motivational interviewing"?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style that aims to help individuals resolve ambivalence and strengthen their motivation to change. This approach is particularly effective in situations where clients are unsure or hesitant about making significant changes in their behavior, such as in the context of addiction recovery or lifestyle changes.

The strength of motivational interviewing lies in its ability to create a supportive environment that encourages clients to explore their own reasons for change, rather than imposing external motivations or directions. It utilizes open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmation to engage clients in a conversation about their thoughts and feelings regarding change. This process helps to clarify their values and goals, making them more likely to commit to making positive choices.

In contrast to the other options, motivational interviewing does not aim to steer clients away from change, dictate their therapeutic direction, or reduce the focus solely to past behaviors. Instead, it empowers individuals by helping them articulate their own desires for change and recognize the steps that can lead them there.