Abstract
Ryan and colleagues are applauded for elevating client factors in the form of motivation and autonomy to equal status with the alliance as common factors in psychotherapy. Next, client motivation and autonomy are explained to be inextricably linked with one promoting the other. Motivational methods are summarized for the major approaches, making the point that some motivational approaches are more related to the promotion of client autonomy. Change talk is explained as similar to solution talk. Both are social constructivist methods of motivating clients and overcoming impasse in therapy. Matching client beliefs, using client strengths, and providing compelling rationales are underscored as motivational techniques. Similarities between motivation and hope are drawn through Snyder’s hope theory and Frank and Frank’s contextual model of psychotherapy. Finally, motivation and the formation of the alliance are discussed as factors that overlap conceptually and interact as variables in research.
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