What is the purpose of Motivational Interviewing?

The purpose of Motivational Interviewing (MI) is to encourage clients to voice their own arguments for change. This client-centered approach is based on the idea that individuals are more likely to commit to changes in their behavior when they articulate their reasons for wanting to change themselves, rather than having those reasons imposed upon them by a therapist or peer specialist.

MI involves techniques that foster a supportive dialogue, allowing clients to explore their thoughts and feelings about change. By doing so, clients can identify their own motivations and resolve ambivalence regarding their goals or behaviors. This empowerment through self-discovery is fundamental to the effectiveness of MI, as it helps build intrinsic motivation for change.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the core principles of MI. For instance, diagnosing mental health conditions is not part of MI's purpose; the focus is more on facilitating conversation than on clinical assessment. Imposing solutions contradicts the MI framework, which values the client’s own input and autonomy in the change process. Lastly, while MI can be used in various contexts, it is not specifically designed to facilitate group therapy sessions—rather, it is primarily a one-on-one technique that emphasizes individual client perspectives.