ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

Motivational interviewing is primarily grounded in expressing what?

1. Sympathy

2. Empathy

3. Intrinsic motivation

4. Extrinsic motivation

The correct answer is: Empathy

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style that aims to enhance an individual's motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence. A key component of this approach is empathy, which involves understanding the client's feelings and perspectives without judgment. By expressing empathy, the health coach creates a supportive environment that allows clients to feel understood and safe to discuss their thoughts and feelings related to change. Empathy helps to build rapport and trust, which are essential for effective communication and the coaching relationship. This approach encourages clients to explore their own motivations and desires for change, leading to more sustainable behavior modification. Rather than imposing solutions or expressing sympathy, which can sometimes feel patronizing, a focus on empathy fosters a deeper connection and understanding between the coach and client. Intrinsic motivation is also relevant in motivational interviewing; it refers to the internal desire to change for personal reasons. However, this personalization of motivation flows from the empathetic dialogue rather than being the primary focus of the technique itself. Extrinsic motivation, which is driven by external rewards or pressures, is typically less aligned with the empowering and client-centered nature of motivational interviewing.