ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

Which motivational interviewing technique can help clients explore their ambivalence toward change?

1. Reflective listening

2. Directing

3. Advising

4. Confronting

The correct answer is: Reflective listening

Reflective listening is a key motivational interviewing technique that allows clients to delve into their feelings and thoughts about change, thereby exploring their ambivalence. This technique involves actively listening to what the client says and then paraphrasing or summarizing their statements to encourage further exploration. By reflecting back what the client expresses, the practitioner helps to clarify emotions, validate the client’s experiences, and promote deeper insights, allowing the client to examine the pros and cons of their current behavior versus the desired change. Clients often struggle with conflicting emotions when faced with change, and reflective listening creates a safe space for them to articulate their concerns and motivations without feeling judged. This process enhances the therapeutic alliance and opens the door for clients to identify their own reasons for wanting to change, rather than feeling pressured or directed towards a specific outcome. In contrast, the other techniques like directing, advising, and confronting can inadvertently increase resistance or defensiveness in clients. Directing may impose solutions rather than empower clients to find their own, while advising can come off as prescriptive rather than collaborative. Confronting may lead to confrontation and defensiveness rather than open dialogue about ambivalence. Thus, reflective listening stands out as the most effective approach to help clients navigate their feelings toward change.