Motivational interviewing (MI) alludes to a counseling approach in part developed by Professor William R Miller, Ph.D. and Professor Stephen Rollnick, Ph.D in the 1990s. The concept of motivational interviewing evolved from their experiences working with individuals who struggled with alcohol use disorder. Motivational Interviewing is a method that works on initiating and engaging intrinsic motivation within the client in order to change an unwanted or unhealthy behavior. MI is a goal-oriented, client-centered counseling style for creating a behavior change by helping clients explore and resolve the their own personal ambivalence. Therapists attempt to influence clients by eliciting change talk. The examination and resolution of ambivalence towards change is a central purpose, and the counselor is intentionally directive in pursuing this goal.

The spirit of Motivational Interviewing recognizes and accepts the fact that clients who need to make changes in their lives approach counseling at different levels of readiness for change. During counseling, some clients may have considered making a behavior change, but may not yet have taken steps to make that change themselves. Conversely, other clients may be actively trying to change their behavior and may have been unsuccessful so far. In order for a therapist to be successful at motivational interviewing, four basic interaction skills should first be established. These skills include: the ability to ask open-ended questions, the ability to provide affirmations, the capacity for reflective listening, and understanding scaling. These skills are used strategically, focusing on placement of information as well as transforming talk of change into action.