Motivational interviewing is a counseling technique developed by William Miller in 1983 to address problem behaviors like drinking. It is based on the stages of change model which outlines five stages people go through when changing behaviors: precontemplation, contemplation, determination, action, and maintenance. The key concepts of motivational interviewing are to understand the client's perspective, resolve their ambivalence about change through open-ended questions and reflective listening rather than confrontation, and have the client generate their own solutions rather than imposing change. The counselor takes a directive but non-confrontational approach to assist the client in progressing through the stages of change.