Dr. Manju Antil | Counseling Psychologist | Psychotherapist | Educator| Founder- Wellnessnetic Care

Unit 1: Introduction to Counselling and Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Meaning of Counselling

Counselling, in its most basic sense, is a process of helping an individual deal with personal, social, or emotional difficulties by providing professional support. It is not merely about giving advice or instructions but about creating a safe and empathetic environment where the client feels understood and empowered to make decisions. In the Indian tradition, the concept of counselling is deeply embedded in the Guru–Shishya relationship, where the guru not only imparted knowledge but also provided guidance in resolving moral, emotional, and existential dilemmas. In modern psychology, counselling has evolved into a structured, evidence-based practice aimed at promoting personal growth, well-being, and resilience.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a related but specialized counselling approach that focuses specifically on enhancing an individual’s intrinsic motivation to change. Instead of persuading or forcing change, MI helps clients explore their ambivalence and discover their own reasons for change. In simpler terms, while general counselling covers a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns, MI narrows down to the art of evoking change from within.

Definition of Counselling and MI

Several professional bodies have defined counselling to highlight its professional and ethical dimensions. The American Counseling Association (2014) defines counselling as “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.” This definition emphasizes empowerment, diversity, and goal orientation, which form the backbone of effective practice. In the Indian context, counselling is often translated as margdarshan (guidance), a term that combines both directive and non-directive support, reflecting its dual role in offering clarity while respecting autonomy.

Motivational Interviewing, on the other hand, has been defined by Miller and Rollnick (2013) as “a collaborative, person-centered form of guiding to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.” This definition underscores two important elements: collaboration (the counsellor and client work as partners) and evocation (the counsellor draws out the client’s own reasons for change rather than imposing them).

Nature of Counselling

The nature of counselling can best be understood by analyzing its characteristics. First, counselling is goal-oriented. Clients come to counselling with problems, confusion, or conflicts, and the process seeks to resolve these issues or, at the very least, provide coping strategies. Second, counselling is confidential. Trust is at the heart of the therapeutic alliance, and counsellors are ethically bound to maintain confidentiality except in cases where safety is at risk. Third, counselling is developmental as well as remedial. It is not limited to people suffering from disorders but also serves those seeking personal growth, better decision-making, or improved relationships. Fourth, counselling is non-directive yet structured. For example, Carl Rogers’ humanistic model emphasizes that counsellors should not impose solutions but facilitate the client’s own discovery process. However, counselling sessions do follow a structure—introduction, exploration, intervention, and closure. Finally, counselling is relationship-based. The quality of the counsellor-client relationship—empathy, genuineness, and positive regard—directly determines its effectiveness.

In the case of MI, the nature of practice is collaborative rather than confrontational. Instead of telling a smoker, “You must quit smoking immediately,” the MI practitioner might ask, “On one hand, you enjoy smoking, but on the other, you mentioned concern about your health—how do you see these two sides?” This reflective style encourages clients to explore their own ambivalence. Thus, MI is client-centered but goal-directed.

Historical Background of Counselling and MI

The origins of counselling can be traced back to ancient civilizations. In India, the Bhagavad Gita is often considered one of the earliest texts that illustrates counselling principles. In the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, Krishna acts as a counsellor by exploring Arjuna’s confusion, validating his feelings, and then guiding him toward clarity and action. Similarly, Buddhist traditions emphasized mindfulness, compassion, and awareness, which today form the foundation of many therapeutic approaches.

In the Western world, the modern counselling movement began in the early 20th century with the rise of vocational guidance. Frank Parsons, known as the father of vocational guidance, established the first counseling center in Boston in 1908, where he helped young people match their skills with appropriate career paths. Gradually, counselling expanded beyond vocational issues to cover emotional, relational, and mental health concerns. Post World War II, counselling became even more significant due to the widespread trauma experienced by soldiers and civilians alike.

Motivational Interviewing emerged much later, in the early 1980s, when psychologist William R. Miller developed it while working with clients suffering from alcohol dependence. Miller realized that traditional confrontational methods were counterproductive, often making clients defensive. Instead, by listening empathically and guiding clients to voice their own reasons for change, better outcomes were achieved. Later, Miller collaborated with Stephen Rollnick to refine MI into a comprehensive model now used worldwide not only for addiction but also for lifestyle and health-related behavior change.

Theoretical Background

Counselling rests on several theoretical foundations. Psychodynamic theory emphasizes the role of unconscious conflicts and childhood experiences. For example, Freud’s psychoanalysis views counselling as a means of uncovering repressed desires. Humanistic theories, particularly Carl Rogers’ person-centered approach, argue that empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness are sufficient conditions for growth. Cognitive-behavioral theories (CBT), introduced by Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis, emphasize the restructuring of negative thought patterns to change behavior. Existential approaches, inspired by Viktor Frankl and Rollo May, focus on helping individuals find meaning in life despite suffering.

Motivational Interviewing draws heavily from the humanistic tradition of Carl Rogers, especially his emphasis on empathy and client autonomy. However, it also incorporates behavioral science, particularly the concept of “ambivalence” as a normal part of change. The MI spirit is built upon four principles: collaboration, evocation, autonomy, and compassion. The counsellor collaborates with the client rather than acting as an authority, evokes motivation rather than imposing it, respects the client’s autonomy in decision-making, and approaches the process with compassion.

Current Applications

Counselling today has widespread applications in clinical, educational, organizational, and community settings. In clinical practice, counselling helps clients deal with anxiety, depression, phobias, and trauma. In educational institutions, counsellors assist students in managing stress, developing study skills, and exploring career options. In marriage and family contexts, counsellors help couples improve communication and resolve conflicts. In community settings, counselling is vital for rehabilitation, disaster management, and public health awareness.

Motivational Interviewing has become especially popular in health psychology and public health. It is used in substance abuse treatment, smoking cessation, diabetes management, weight control, and adherence to medical treatments. In India, MI has been applied in HIV awareness campaigns, tobacco cessation programs, and lifestyle interventions for conditions like hypertension and diabetes. The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), for instance, has included elements of MI in its counselling strategies, showing its growing acceptance.

Case Study (Indian Example)

Consider the case of Ramesh, a 22-year-old student in Delhi University, who struggled with alcohol abuse. His family noticed declining academic performance and frequent absenteeism. When referred to the campus counselling center, Ramesh initially denied the severity of his drinking problem. The counsellor, trained in MI, began the sessions not by confronting him but by exploring his ambivalence. Using reflective listening, the counsellor noted, “You said drinking makes you feel relaxed, but at the same time, you worry about how it is affecting your studies and your parents’ trust.” Over several sessions, Ramesh gradually acknowledged his internal conflict. He realized that his long-term goal of completing education was incompatible with continued alcohol abuse. Through MI strategies like open-ended questioning, affirmations, and summarizing, Ramesh built intrinsic motivation to reduce and eventually quit drinking. His case demonstrates how MI aligns well with the cultural context of India, where respect, empathy, and indirect persuasion are valued over confrontation.

Current Trends in Counselling and MI

The field of counselling in India and globally is witnessing several trends. Integration of technology is one of the most significant. Online counselling platforms, mobile applications, and AI-based mental health chatbots are increasingly popular, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Another trend is the cultural adaptation of therapies, where techniques like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness are incorporated into counselling sessions. Trauma-informed counselling is gaining importance as practitioners recognize the widespread impact of trauma in post-pandemic and disaster contexts. Interdisciplinary collaboration between psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and public health experts ensures holistic care.

In terms of MI, a major trend is its application beyond addiction. It is now used in areas like chronic disease management, improving patient compliance in hospitals, and even in organizational leadership to enhance employee motivation. The adaptability of MI across cultures and domains makes it an increasingly valuable counselling tool.

References

• American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. ACA.
• Corey, G. (2021). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
• Nair, S. R. (2019). Counselling in India: Historical roots and contemporary practices. Indian Journal of Psychological Research, 13(2), 101–114.
• Singh, A. (2020). Application of motivational interviewing in Indian addiction counselling. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 15(1), 85–94.