The comment on the Ryan, Lynch, Vansteenkiste, and Deci (2011) article on motivation and autonomy in psychotherapy considers motivation and its role as prerequisite, process variable, or appropriate outcome, speculating that all are appropriate ways to conceptualize motivation in the behavior change process. Autonomy, as a useful addition, refers to the locus of causality and, when included with motivation and phenomenal source, implies a valence and hierarchy to theoretical perspectives on psychotherapy. Finally, some ideas concerning a multidimensional perspective on relevant factors in psychotherapy may serve to stimulate additional thought for both practitioners and researchers.
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Miller, W.R., & Rollnick, S. ( 2002). Motivational interviewing. New York : Guilford.
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Prochaska, J.O., & DiClemente, C.C. (1982). Transtheoretical therapy: Toward a more integrative model of change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research & Practice, 19, 276-288.
4.
Ryan, R.M., Lynch, M.F., Vansteenkiste, M., & Deci, E.L. ( 2011). Motivation and autonomy in counseling, psychotherapy, and behavior change: A look at theory and practice. The Counseling Psychologist, 39, 193-260.
