Which communication technique common in CPS practice helps resolve ambivalence?

Which communication technique common in CPS practice helps resolve ambivalence?

• A. Motivational Interviewing techniques, including open-ended questions and reflective listening
• B. Direct confrontation
• C. Silent treatment
• D. Giving orders

Answer: (A)

The main idea is using motivational interviewing to work through ambivalence. Motivational interviewing relies on a collaborative, respectful conversation that helps a person explore mixed feelings about change without feeling judged or pushed. Opening with questions that require more than yes/no answers invites the individual to voice their values, goals, and concerns, so they can articulate both sides of the ambivalence. Reflective listening then shows you understand where they’re coming from and helps them hear their own thoughts and tensions more clearly. This combination nudges them toward their own reasons for changing and builds motivation and readiness from within, rather than imposing change. Direct confrontation tends to trigger defensiveness, the silent treatment breaks trust, and giving orders undermines autonomy—outcomes that make ambivalence harder to resolve. Motivational interviewing aligns with the peer-support standard of respecting a person’s autonomy while guiding them toward their own conclusions about change.

The main idea is using motivational interviewing to work through ambivalence. Motivational interviewing relies on a collaborative, respectful conversation that helps a person explore mixed feelings about change without feeling judged or pushed. Opening with questions that require more than yes/no answers invites the individual to voice their values, goals, and concerns, so they can articulate both sides of the ambivalence. Reflective listening then shows you understand where they’re coming from and helps them hear their own thoughts and tensions more clearly. This combination nudges them toward their own reasons for changing and builds motivation and readiness from within, rather than imposing change.

Direct confrontation tends to trigger defensiveness, the silent treatment breaks trust, and giving orders undermines autonomy—outcomes that make ambivalence harder to resolve. Motivational interviewing aligns with the peer-support standard of respecting a person’s autonomy while guiding them toward their own conclusions about change.