What is motivational interviewing?

• A. A technique used to diagnose psychological disorders.
• B. A formal method for prescribing medications.
• C. A strategy for delivering one-way information.
• D. A technique used to encourage behavior change through conversation and reflection.

Answer: (D)

Motivational interviewing is a patient-centered counseling approach designed to help people change behavior by guiding the conversation rather than giving direct advice. The aim is to elicit the person’s own motivations for change and to resolve ambivalence through collaboration and respect for their autonomy.

In practice, it uses open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing to invite the person to explore reasons for and against change, surface ambivalence, and strengthen commitment. This conversational style focuses on the person’s values and goals, helping them voice “change talk” and move toward action.

This aligns with the idea of encouraging behavior change through conversation and reflection, rather than diagnosing, prescribing, or delivering information in a one-way manner. It’s not about stating what the clinician thinks should be done, but about guiding the person to find their own motivation and plan.