Which of the following is not a principle of Motivational Interviewing?

Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered counseling approach aimed at eliciting and strengthening motivation for change. One of its core principles is to foster a supportive environment that encourages individuals to express their feelings and thoughts openly, which contributes to a stronger therapeutic alliance and greater engagement in the change process.

Expressing thoughts, not feelings, aligns poorly with the foundational philosophy of Motivational Interviewing. The approach emphasizes the importance of understanding and validating emotional experiences, as feelings often drive behaviors and decision-making. By focusing solely on thoughts, there is a risk of neglecting the emotional context that can be critical in guiding a person toward change. Therefore, encouraging clients to articulate their feelings is essential for effective engagement in the process of motivational interviewing.

The other principles mentioned—generating change talk, identifying needs rather than strategies, and making requests instead of demands—are fundamental aspects of Motivational Interviewing. Generating change talk fosters discussion about the desire, ability, reasons, and need for change, enhancing motivation. Identifying needs helps focus on what the individual wants to change rather than how they might achieve it, while making requests instead of demands respects the autonomy of individuals, fostering a more collaborative environment.