In Motivational Interviewing (MI), which concept describes a patient's own statements favouring change, which the therapist elicits and reinforces as a therapeutic technique?

• A Reflective listening
• B Change talk ✓
• C Rolling with resistance
• D The decisional balance sheet

Explanation

In Motivational Interviewing (Miller & Rollnick), 'change talk' refers to the patient's own verbal expressions favouring change — statements about desire, ability, reasons, need, commitment, activation, or taking steps toward change (DARN-CAT). MI theory posits that the therapist's role is to elicit, reflect, and reinforce change talk while avoiding argumentation ('rolling with resistance'). The more a patient voices change talk, the more committed to change they become. This is distinct from reflective listening (a communication technique) and decisional balance (a technique for exploring ambivalence), though both are tools used within MI.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

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