Name a few strategies to enhance client motivation during sessions.

• A. Reflective listening, asking open-ended questions, aligning goals with client values, and evoking change talk.
• B. Lecturing and scolding.
• C. Ignoring client preferences.
• D. Rigidly sticking to the plan regardless of client feedback.

Answer: (A)

Motivating clients effectively during sessions comes from a collaborative, values-based approach that elicits the client’s own reasons for change. Reflective listening demonstrates you understand and validate their experience, which lowers defensiveness and helps them explore ambivalence more openly. Asking open-ended questions keeps the conversation client-centered and uncovers their values, goals, and personal motivations for change. Aligning goals with what the client values makes the plan feel meaningful and increases intrinsic motivation. Evoking change talk invites the client to articulate their desires, abilities, reasons, and need for change, which strengthens commitment because the motivation is coming from them.

Lecturing or scolding tends to provoke resistance and shut down collaboration, while ignoring client preferences and rigidly sticking to the plan regardless of feedback undermine autonomy and responsiveness, both of which can derail motivation.