What are motivational interviewing techniques?

• A. Strategies promoting direct advice-giving.
• B. Client-centered strategies to enhance motivation.
• C. Techniques for discouraging unhealthy behavior.
• D. Direct confrontation of dietary habits.

Answer: (B)

Motivational interviewing techniques focus on client-centered strategies designed to enhance a person's motivation to make positive behavioral changes. This approach recognizes that individuals may have mixed feelings about changing their behaviors and seeks to explore and resolve this ambivalence through supportive dialogue.

These techniques include open-ended questions, reflective listening, affirmations, and summarizations, which help clients articulate their thoughts and feelings about their dietary choices. By creating a safe and empathetic space, practitioners can guide clients toward recognizing their intrinsic motivations and self-efficacy, ultimately empowering them to make sustainable changes in their eating habits and lifestyle. This approach emphasizes collaboration between the counselor and the client rather than a directive or confrontational stance, fostering a more effective therapeutic relationship.