CBHCM Motivational Interviewing

Question 1

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A collaborative, person-centered counseling style that elicits and strengthens a client's own motivation for change

Answer

MI is a collaborative, person-centered counseling approach developed by Miller and Rollnick. It draws out the client's own motivations for change rather than imposing reasons from the outside, and is applicable across many behavioral health conditions — not only substance use.

Question 2

The acronym OARS in Motivational Interviewing stands for:

Accepted Answer

Open questions, Affirming, Reflective listening, Summarizing

Answer

OARS represents the four core MI communication skills: Open-ended questions (encourage elaboration), Affirmations (recognize client strengths), Reflective listening (demonstrate understanding), and Summarizing (link and reinforce what was shared).

Question 3

In Motivational Interviewing, 'change talk' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Statements made by the client that favor moving toward change

Answer

Change talk is any client speech that expresses desire, ability, reasons, need, or commitment to change. Recognizing and selectively reinforcing change talk is a central MI skill, as research shows it predicts positive outcomes.

Question 4

A case manager using MI hears a client say, 'I know I should stop drinking but I enjoy it and I'm not sure I'm ready.' The MOST appropriate MI response is:

Accepted Answer

'It sounds like part of you recognizes a problem, while another part values what drinking does for you.'

Answer

This client is expressing ambivalence — a normal part of behavior change. The MI response reflects both sides of the ambivalence without judgment, validating the client's experience and keeping the conversation open rather than pushing for premature commitment.

Question 5

Rolling with resistance in Motivational Interviewing means:

Accepted Answer

Avoiding argument and redirecting or reframing rather than confronting the client's pushback

Answer

Rolling with resistance (now called 'discord' in updated MI) means not arguing against the client's pushback. Instead, the case manager sidesteps, reframes, or reflects back the client's perspective, preserving the relationship and keeping the client engaged.

(CBHCM) Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Practice Test

(CBHCM) Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager Practice Test

CBHCM Motivational Interviewing