What is motivational interviewing?

Motivational interviewing is a directive, client-centered counseling approach designed to enhance an individual's motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. This technique emphasizes collaboration between the therapist and the client rather than imposing the therapist's authority or agenda. The approach is built on the understanding that individuals often have mixed feelings about change, and it aims to facilitate a discussion that allows the client to articulate their own reasons for wanting to change or not.

By focusing on the client's perspective and employing reflective listening, motivational interviewing nurtures a supportive environment where the individual feels empowered to identify and pursue their motivational goals. The approach is particularly useful in various clinical settings, such as substance use treatment, where a client's internal motivation can significantly influence their commitment to making positive changes.

The other options represent different concepts that do not align with the core principles of motivational interviewing. For example, increasing therapist authority or prescribing definitive strategies would contradict the collaborative nature of this method, while psychoeducation is more about providing information than facilitating motivation through client engagement.