Brief interventions are effective in reducing problematic alcohol consumption.1 One brief psychosocial intervention in particular, motivational interviewing (MI), has consistently shown its usefulness in decreasing problem drinking in diverse settings.2 MI is a directive, client-centered counseling style that expedites behavior change by guiding clients towards exploration and resolution of ambivalence concerning their problem behavior.3 At the core of MI practice is its “spirit,” described by MI’s authors as a way of “being” with people that contrasts with common, more didactic counseling styles emphasizing information exchange, client learning of skills, and clinician-selected behavioral change objectives.