What does motivational interviewing aim to achieve?

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style designed to enhance an individual’s motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. The primary aim is to tap into a person’s own motivations and strengths, encouraging them to articulate their reasons for change and to take ownership of their recovery process. By fostering an environment of collaboration and empathy, motivational interviewing helps individuals reflect on their thoughts and feelings, ultimately leading them to identify and pursue their desired changes.

This approach is effective because it respects and values the individual’s autonomy, allowing them to come to their own conclusions about what is important to them. Rather than imposing direct advice or strategies, it promotes self-discovery, making it more likely that individuals will commit to and sustain meaningful change in their behaviors and lives.