Ace the UK Master of Social Work Exam 2025 – Unleash Your Social Work Superpowers!

In motivational interviewing, the primary focus is on exploring the client's intrinsic motivations and ambivalence regarding change. This therapeutic approach fosters a collaborative environment where clients are encouraged to articulate their thoughts and feelings about change in a non-confrontational manner.

The topic of what friends will think is typically not prioritized in sessions with resistant clients, as motivational interviewing emphasizes personal values and motivations for change rather than social influences or external pressures. When clients feel resistance, discussing the perceptions of peers may not resonate with their internal conflicts or may shift the focus away from deeper, more personal motivations.

Instead, exploring personal motivations for change allows clients to reflect on their values and reasons for wanting to align their behavior with those values. Discussing the benefits of staying the same can highlight the ambivalence clients may feel, which is a core component of motivational interviewing. Additionally, exploring strategies to facilitate change further empowers clients by allowing them to identify their own paths forward, enhancing their autonomy in the process.

In summary, focusing on social perceptions, such as what friends will think, doesn't align with the central tenets of motivational interviewing, which prioritize the client's internal landscape and personal empowerment.