CASAC Motivational Interviewing and Counseling Skills 3

Question 1

During an MI session, a counselor uses a 'summary' statement. The primary purpose of this technique is to:

Accepted Answer

Collect and present back key points, especially change talk, to reinforce motivation

Answer

Redirect the client to focus on a new topic

Answer

Diagnose the severity of the client's substance use

Answer

End the session efficiently

Question 2

Which of the following best describes 'reflective listening' in the context of MI?

Accepted Answer

Paraphrasing and mirroring the client's statements to demonstrate understanding

Answer

Offering interpretations of the client's unconscious motivations

Answer

Providing psychoeducation about the effects of substances

Answer

Asking follow-up questions to gather more details about drug use history

Question 3

A counselor notices a client becoming defensive and resistant. According to MI principles, the counselor should:

Accepted Answer

Adjust their approach, decrease directiveness, and explore the client's perspective

Answer

Confront the resistance more directly to break through denial

Answer

Interpret the resistance as a symptom of addiction

Answer

Refer the client to a more intensive level of care

Question 4

The Precontemplation stage in the Transtheoretical Model is best characterized by:

Accepted Answer

The client having no intention to change in the foreseeable future

Answer

The client actively making changes to reduce substance use

Answer

The client taking small preparatory steps toward change

Answer

The client maintaining behavioral changes made over the past six months

Question 5

Which MI strategy involves the counselor asking clients to explore the positive aspects of their substance use before discussing the negatives?

Accepted Answer

Eliciting change talk through decisional balancing

Answer

Developing discrepancy

Answer

Using the readiness ruler

Answer

Providing unsolicited feedback

Question 6

In which of the following scenarios is a counselor demonstrating 'accurate empathy'?

Accepted Answer

'It sounds like you are feeling torn between wanting to be sober and not wanting to lose your social circle.'

Answer

Saying 'I understand exactly how you feel because I've been through the same thing.'

Answer

'You shouldn't feel that way — your family just wants what's best for you.'

Answer

'Have you ever tried attending AA meetings to address those feelings?'

Question 7

Which of the following behaviors by a counselor would be MOST inconsistent with the principles of Motivational Interviewing?

Accepted Answer

Offering unsolicited advice and telling the client what to do

Answer

Using open-ended questions to explore the client's perspective

Answer

Affirming the client's strengths and past successes

Answer

Reflecting both sides of the client's ambivalence