Quick Quiz: Motivational Interviewing Mad Lib

Motivational Interviewing lines up with general social work practice nicely. If you're doing clinical social work, you're probably using some MI tools (whether you've read up or not). So, if you're preparing for the social work licensing exam, it's wise to get familiar with the basics about the approach. It may show up on an exam item or two!

To help you prep, we've taken a paragraph about MI from Wikipedia and excised words and phrases here and there. You can either do this as a Mad Lib and fill in the blanks with words that make the paragraph funny (if a kids' go-to "boogers" doesn't work, try something more sophisticated!). Or, in prep mode, try to fill in the blanks with what was actually there in the first place. Reconstruct the paragraph. Good luck! The unredacted paragraph is on Wikipedia.

Motivational Interviewing is a [adjective] [adjective] counseling style for eliciting [noun] by helping clients to explore and resolve [noun]. Compared with non-directive [noun], it's more focused and goal-directed. It departs from traditional [type of therapy] client-centered therapy through this use of direction, in which therapists attempt to influence clients to consider making changes, rather than non-directively explore themselves.The examination and resolution of [noun] is a central purpose, and the counselor is intentionally directive in pursuing this goal.

How'd you do? The unfunny answers are on Wikipedia's MI page.

For practice questions (not just quick quizzes) about Motivational Interviewing and lots more, check out SWTP.

Good luck with the exam!