What does 'motivational interviewing' aim to achieve in psychological counseling?

Motivational interviewing is a person-centered counseling technique specifically designed to enhance an individual's motivation for change. It operates on the premise that individuals are more likely to engage in meaningful change when they feel empowered and motivated to do so. The approach emphasizes collaboration between the counselor and the client, exploring and resolving ambivalence about change.

This method carefully guides clients to articulate their reasons for wanting to make changes in their lives, which helps build their intrinsic motivation. By focusing on the individual's own values and goals, motivational interviewing facilitates a deeper commitment to the change process. The techniques used within motivational interviewing, such as reflective listening and open-ended questions, are key in fostering this motivation rather than dictating specific behavioral changes or analyzing past behaviors extensively.

Given this focus, the aim of motivational interviewing is distinctly geared toward enhancing motivation, making it the most accurate choice. The other options, while they may relate to different aspects of counseling or intervention strategies, do not encapsulate the primary goal of motivational interviewing, which is to stimulate personal motivation for change.