Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People for Change

This set of flashcards includes key terms and definitions related to motivational interviewing, focusing on concepts of change, ambivalence, and the therapeutic process.

Ambivalence

A state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone, particularly in the context of wanting to change but feeling resistant.

Motivation

The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way; in the context of therapy, it refers to the client's desire to change.

Spontaneous Remission

The phenomenon where a person makes significant changes or improvements in their condition without professional intervention.

Self Efficacy

The belief that one can successfully execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments, often linked to a type of 'placebo' effect in counseling.

Accurate Empathy

A counseling skill involving skillful and reflective listening that clarifies and amplifies a person’s own experiences without imposing the counselor’s own interpretations.

Nonpossessive Warmth

A counseling approach that demonstrates genuine concern for the client without an attitude of superiority or control.

Genuineness

The quality or skill of a clinician in demonstrating real concern for the client and their expressed problems.

Change-Talk

Statements made by a client that indicate their desire, ability, reasons, or need for change; considered predictive of actual change.

Readiness for Change

The state in which a client perceives the need for change and feels prepared to take action towards it.

Defense Mechanisms

Cognitive processes that protect individuals from anxiety or uncomfortable feelings, such as denial, rationalization, and projection.

Double Approach-Avoidance Conflict

A psychological conflict where a person is torn between two alternatives, both of which have desirable and undesirable aspects.

Paradoxical Response

The response in which attempts to impose consequences or punishment fail to produce the desired change, often leading to the opposite behavior.