Therapist Development Center Practice Exam 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term "motivational interviewing" refers to a client-centered counseling style that enhances motivation to change. This approach is designed to facilitate and engage intrinsic motivation within the client in order to promote behavioral change. It acknowledges the client's autonomy and emphasizes a collaborative partnership between the therapist and client, where the therapist helps the client explore their own reasons for change and resolve ambivalence. This technique is particularly effective in counseling because it respects the client's perspective while also guiding them toward self-discovery and motivation.

By focusing on the client’s values and goals, motivational interviewing helps clients articulate their ambivalence towards change, paving the way for them to commit to a course of action they feel is meaningful and important. In contrast, methods that focus purely on accountability or enforcing rules might create resistance, while those that deal with altering memories do not align with the principles of motivation and behavior change inherent in this counseling style. Moreover, motivational interviewing is beneficial in both individual and group settings, making it versatile beyond just group therapy.