Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam Alcohol and Drug Counselor Motivational Interviewing and Behavior Change 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym OARS stand for in Motivational Interviewing?
- Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries (Correct answer)
- Observations, Assessments, Referrals, Support
- Outcomes, Actions, Reinforcement, Skills
- Openness, Acceptance, Reflection, Structure
Correct answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries
OARS stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries — the four core communication skills in Motivational Interviewing.
Question 2: Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) describes a person who is not yet considering change within the next six months?
- Contemplation
- Precontemplation (Correct answer)
- Preparation
- Action
Correct answer: Precontemplation
Precontemplation is the stage in which the individual has no intention of changing behavior in the foreseeable future (within six months).
Question 3: In Motivational Interviewing, 'rolling with resistance' means the counselor should:
- Directly challenge the client's denial
- Argue for the benefits of change
- Avoid confrontation and reflect the resistance back to the client (Correct answer)
- Terminate the session when resistance occurs
Correct answer: Avoid confrontation and reflect the resistance back to the client
Rolling with resistance means the counselor accepts and reflects the client's ambivalence rather than confronting or arguing, reducing defensiveness.
Question 4: Which Motivational Interviewing technique involves reflecting back a deeper meaning than what the client explicitly stated?
- Simple reflection
- Amplified reflection
- Double-sided reflection
- Complex reflection (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Complex reflection
A complex reflection in MI goes beyond surface content to reflect underlying feelings, meanings, or values the client implied.
Question 5: The 'decisional balance' exercise in Motivational Interviewing is used to help clients:
- Identify their relapse triggers
- Weigh the pros and cons of changing versus not changing (Correct answer)
- Create a structured daily schedule
- Assess severity of substance use disorder
Correct answer: Weigh the pros and cons of changing versus not changing
Decisional balance helps clients explore the advantages and disadvantages of both their current behavior and making a change, increasing awareness of ambivalence.
Question 6: In Motivational Interviewing, 'change talk' refers to:
- The counselor explaining why the client should change
- Client statements that favor movement toward change (Correct answer)
- Psychoeducation about the effects of substances
- Discussion of relapse prevention strategies
Correct answer: Client statements that favor movement toward change
Change talk consists of the client's own verbal expressions of desire, ability, reasons, need, or commitment to change, which are predictive of positive outcomes.
Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam Alcohol and Drug Counselor Motivational Interviewing and Behavior Change 1
What does the acronym OARS stand for in Motivational Interviewing?