Question

19. If you are not listening reflectively, but are instead imposing direction and judgment, you are ______________.

A. Creating barriers between yourself and the client.

B. Helping the client overcome ambivalence.

C. Holding the client's attention.

D. Increasing the client's self-efficacy.

Answer 1

Correct option is creating barriers between yourself and the client.

Miller and Rollnick state that if the therapist is not listening reflectively but are instead imposing directions and judgement, then they are creating a barrier that impairs therapeutic relationships. The client would most likely react by stopping, diverting or changing directions.

Reflective listening is the key component to express empathy. Empathetic motivational interviewing establishes a safe and open environment that is conductive to examining issues and eliciting personal reasons and methods for change.