What is motivational interviewing and what is its core approach?

• A. A directive, expert-led counseling approach
• B. A one-time information delivery without engagement
• C. A prescriptive plan delivered by clinician without patient input
• D. A collaborative, client-centered counseling style that strengthens motivation by using open questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizing (OARS)

Answer: (D)

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, client-centered counseling style aimed at strengthening a person’s own motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. In practice it relies on specific communication skills that help the person articulate their reasons for and against change: open-ended questions invite rich discussion, reflective listening demonstrates understanding and invites further dialogue, affirmations bolster the person’s confidence and sense of agency, and summarizing reinforces what has been discussed and helps link to a plan. The approach is nonjudgmental and respects autonomy, focusing on eliciting change talk rather than telling someone what to do or delivering a one-time set of instructions. This makes it markedly different from directive, expert-led approaches, information dumps, or prescriptive plans imposed without the patient’s input.