HCC Motivational Interviewing Techniques 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes 'complex reflections' from 'simple reflections' in MI practice?
- Complex reflections use longer sentences
- Complex reflections add meaning, emotion, or inference beyond what was said (Correct answer)
- Complex reflections repeat the client's words verbatim
- Complex reflections are used only in crisis situations
Correct answer: Complex reflections add meaning, emotion, or inference beyond what was said
Complex reflections go beyond mirroring by adding depth—inferring emotion, amplifying meaning, or reframing the client's statement.
Question 2: In the MI spirit framework, 'autonomy' means the coach:
- Takes control of the session agenda
- Respects the client's right to choose their own path (Correct answer)
- Avoids making any suggestions whatsoever
- Delegates decision-making to the client's support network
Correct answer: Respects the client's right to choose their own path
Honoring autonomy means the coach respects that the client is the expert on their own life and has the right to choose their direction.
Question 3: A client rates their readiness to change as a 4 out of 10. An MI-consistent follow-up question would be:
- Why isn't your number higher?
- What would it take to get you to a 10?
- Why not a 3? (Correct answer)
- What's stopping you from committing?
Correct answer: Why not a 3?
Asking 'Why not a lower number?' elicits the client's own reasons for readiness, surfacing their existing motivation.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of an affirmation in MI?
- 'You should be proud of making it this far.'
- 'I'm impressed that you kept your appointment despite a difficult week.' (Correct answer)
- 'Good job—you did exactly what I suggested.'
- 'You seem to finally understand the problem.'
Correct answer: 'I'm impressed that you kept your appointment despite a difficult week.'
A genuine MI affirmation recognizes a specific strength or effort the client demonstrated without being patronizing or evaluative.
Question 5: What is the 'righting reflex' in motivational interviewing?
- The client's natural tendency to correct themselves
- The coach's impulse to fix the client's problem by giving advice (Correct answer)
- A technique for redirecting off-topic conversations
- The process of correcting factual errors in the client's narrative
Correct answer: The coach's impulse to fix the client's problem by giving advice
The righting reflex is a coach's instinct to correct, advise, or persuade—an impulse that MI practitioners must consciously resist.
Question 6: In MI, which approach best supports the development of discrepancy?
- Pointing out hypocrisy in the client's behavior
- Helping the client explore gaps between current behavior and stated values (Correct answer)
- Listing the negative consequences of their current choices
- Confronting the client about their inconsistencies
Correct answer: Helping the client explore gaps between current behavior and stated values
Developing discrepancy means helping clients notice the gap between where they are and where they want to be, using their own values as the reference.
Question 7: When a client expresses commitment language like 'I will start meditating this week,' the MI practitioner should:
- Challenge the commitment to test its sincerity
- Celebrate enthusiastically and move past it quickly
- Reflect and explore the commitment to solidify it (Correct answer)
- Immediately create a detailed action plan
Correct answer: Reflect and explore the commitment to solidify it
Reflecting commitment language back and exploring it helps strengthen the client's resolve and supports follow-through.
HCC Motivational Interviewing Techniques 3
What distinguishes 'complex reflections' from 'simple reflections' in MI practice?