What does motivational interviewing focus on?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style that aims to help individuals resolve their ambivalence toward changing their behaviors. The core focus of this approach is to explore the conflicting feelings or thoughts a person may have about making a change, such as reducing substance use or pursuing healthy lifestyle choices. By utilizing reflective listening and open-ended questions, a practitioner can help a client articulate their motivations for change and support them in overcoming the internal barriers that may hinder their progress.

This technique is particularly effective because it builds a partnership between the coach and the individual, fostering a supportive environment where the client feels empowered to make their own choices rather than feeling pressured by an external authority. The goal is to enhance the client’s intrinsic motivation to change by highlighting their personal reasons for doing so, while respecting their autonomy and perspective throughout the process.

In contrast, the other options either misrepresent the essence of motivational interviewing or focus on approaches that lack its foundational principles. For instance, imposing strict treatment plans may overlook the individual's readiness to change and could evoke resistance rather than collaboration. Individual therapy with a therapist or group therapy methodologies suggest more structured formats that differ from the exploratory and collaborative nature of motivational interviewing.