Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Practice

What is the main purpose of Motivational Interviewing?

1. To increase a client's awareness of addiction

2. To promote group therapy sessions for addicts

3. To reduce ambivalence toward change

4. To provide education on substance use

The correct answer is: To reduce ambivalence toward change

The main purpose of Motivational Interviewing is to reduce ambivalence toward change. This counseling approach is specifically designed to enhance an individual's motivation to make positive decisions regarding their behavior, particularly in the context of addiction. It recognizes that clients may have mixed feelings about changing their habits and offers a supportive environment where they can explore these conflicting emotions. By utilizing techniques that foster self-motivation and intrinsic change, Motivational Interviewing helps clients navigate their uncertainties and move towards a commitment to alter their behavior. While increasing a client's awareness of addiction, promoting group therapy sessions, and providing education on substance use are important components of comprehensive addiction treatment, they are not the central focus of Motivational Interviewing. Instead, this method prioritizes personal motivation and the exploration of the client's own reasons for change, making it a pivotal part of the counseling process.