In motivational interviewing, when a therapist is "engaging," what do they primarily focus on?

In motivational interviewing, when a therapist is "engaging," the primary focus is on establishing a strong therapeutic relationship through active listening and understanding the client's dilemmas and values. This foundational phase is essential for fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and trust, which is crucial for effective therapy. During engagement, the therapist seeks to understand the client's perspective, experiences, and what is important to them. This understanding helps to create a safe space where the client feels heard and valued, ultimately facilitating further exploration of their motivations and desires for change.

While the other options represent important aspects of the motivational interviewing process, they align more closely with later stages of the intervention, such as focusing on the client’s motivations for change, guiding them towards specific behavioral targets, or helping them conceptualize the change process. Engaging first ensures that these following steps can be taken in a way that resonates with the client's own values and context.