Motivation for change is often regarded as a
crucial factor in treatment success. Client motivation
has been shown to be susceptible to various
types of therapist influence (Miller, 1985). Motivational
interviewing is one approach designed to
increase problem recognition and the probability
of treatment entry, continuation, and compliance
(Miller, 1983; Miller, Sovereign, & Krege, 1988).
In the language of Prochaska and DiCIemente's
(1982) stages of change, it was intended to move
clients from a state of precontemplation, through
the ambivalence of contemplation, onto a point of
decision and commitment to change. Five general
principles of motivational interviewing were specified
by Miller and Rollnick (1991): (a) express
empathy through reflective listening, (b) develop
discrepancy between the client's goals and current
problem behavior, (c) avoid argumentation and
direct confrontation, (d) roll with resistance
rather than opposing it directly, and (e) support
self-efficacy for change.