Motivational interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method to strengthen a client's intrinsic motivation for positive change. It focuses on developing discrepancy between current behaviors and core values through reflective listening and affirmations. The therapist takes a guiding role to help clients realize solutions rather than directly confronting or fixing problems. Key aspects include assessing stages of change, emphasizing empathy, summarizing discussions, and asking evocative questions to draw out client-generated reasons, ideas and solutions for change.