CRSS - Certified Recovery Support Specialist Motivational Interviewing and Engagement Questions and Answers Flashcards

Which core principle of Motivational Interviewing (MI) involves reflecting back what the client has said to demonstrate understanding?

Answer: Reflective listening

Reflective listening is a foundational MI skill where the specialist mirrors the client's words to show empathy and understanding.

In Motivational Interviewing, what term describes a client's statements that favor making a change?

Answer: Change talk

Change talk refers to the client's own verbal expressions of desire, ability, reasons, or need to change a behavior.

Which MI technique involves asking open-ended questions, affirming, reflecting, and summarizing?

Answer: OARS

OARS (Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) is the core set of MI communication skills.

What is 'ambivalence' as understood in Motivational Interviewing?

Answer: Feeling two ways simultaneously about change

Ambivalence is the simultaneous experience of wanting and not wanting to change, which MI views as a normal part of the change process.

Which stage of the Stages of Change model is a person in when they are not yet considering changing a behavior?

Answer: Precontemplation

In the Precontemplation stage, the individual does not recognize a problem or see any need to change their current behavior.

A CRSS specialist rolling with resistance should primarily:

Answer: Acknowledge the client's perspective without arguing

Rolling with resistance means accepting and reflecting the client's reluctance rather than opposing it, which reduces defensiveness.