Which motivational interviewing strategy emphasizes understanding the interviewee's feelings and perspective?

Which motivational interviewing strategy emphasizes understanding the interviewee's feelings and perspective?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Empathy
• C. Evocation
• D. Acceptance

Answer: (D)

Empathy is the strategy that focuses on entering the client’s world, recognizing and reflecting their emotions and viewpoint. By listening for feelings and concerns and paraphrasing to show you truly understand where they’re coming from, you build trust and reduce defensiveness, making them more open to discussing change. While acceptance, evocation, and autonomy all play roles in motivational interviewing, the emphasis on understanding the interviewee’s feelings and perspective sits most directly with empathy.

Empathy is the strategy that focuses on entering the client’s world, recognizing and reflecting their emotions and viewpoint. By listening for feelings and concerns and paraphrasing to show you truly understand where they’re coming from, you build trust and reduce defensiveness, making them more open to discussing change. While acceptance, evocation, and autonomy all play roles in motivational interviewing, the emphasis on understanding the interviewee’s feelings and perspective sits most directly with empathy.