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Motivational Interviewing and Counseling Skills Flashcards

7 cards from real CASAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Motivational Interviewing and Counseling Skills flashcards as text

  1. A client says, 'I know I should quit drinking, but I'm not sure I can handle the stress without it.' Which MI response best addresses this sustain talk?

    Answer: Reflect the ambivalence and explore what strengths help them manage stress

    Reflecting ambivalence and exploring existing strengths honors autonomy while evoking the client's own resources and change talk.

  2. What is the primary purpose of 'developing discrepancy' in Motivational Interviewing?

    Answer: To help clients recognize the gap between their current behavior and their personal values or goals

    Developing discrepancy amplifies the client's awareness of the conflict between their current behavior and their deeply held values or future goals.

  3. During a session, a client states: 'My family thinks I have a problem, but I can stop whenever I want.' How should the MI counselor respond?

    Answer: Explore what the client's family has noticed and what the client themselves has noticed

    Exploring both the family's observations and the client's own perceptions opens dialogue without triggering defensiveness.

  4. Which of the following is an example of a 'commitment language' statement that signals readiness for change?

    Answer: 'I will make an appointment with a counselor this week.'

    Commitment language uses words like 'will' and includes a specific action, indicating strong intention to change.

  5. A counselor uses the 'importance ruler' by asking, 'On a scale of 0 to 10, how important is it for you to change your drug use?' When the client says '6,' what is the best follow-up question?

    Answer: 'Why a 6 and not a 3?'

    Asking 'why not a lower number' evokes the client's own reasons for change, generating change talk rather than resistance.

  6. What does the acronym DARN-CAT represent in Motivational Interviewing?

    Answer: Categories of change talk: Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need, Commitment, Activation, Taking Steps

    DARN-CAT categorizes preparatory change talk (Desire, Ability, Reasons, Need) and mobilizing change talk (Commitment, Activation, Taking Steps).

  7. When a client is in the 'contemplation' stage, which counseling approach is most consistent with MI?

    Answer: Explore pros and cons of change to help resolve ambivalence

    In contemplation, the client is ambivalent, so MI focuses on exploring and resolving that ambivalence rather than pushing toward action-stage tasks.