Which approach is generally avoided in motivational interviewing?

In motivational interviewing, providing unsolicited advice is generally avoided because it can create resistance and undermine the client's motivation to change. The core principle of motivational interviewing is to foster a collaborative relationship between the counselor and the client, where the client feels heard and respected. When advice is given without being sought, it may come across as judgmental or dismissive of the client's autonomy, leading to defensiveness.

Instead, motivational interviewing encourages the exploration of discrepancies between a client's current behaviors and their broader goals or values. This approach helps clients recognize the need for change on their own terms. Additionally, by empowering clients to articulate their reasons for change and set their own goals, counselors facilitate a supportive environment that enhances motivation and encourages a sense of ownership over the change process. This client-centered method respects the individual's capacity for self-determination and fosters intrinsic motivation, leading to more sustainable behavioral change.