1. Therapist empathy would be found to predict positive outcomes in MI while finding a lack of evidence to show how MI spirit was a therapy strategy for MI. 
2. There was an increase in change talk based on the behaviors that were worked on with therapists.
3. Change talk did not predict drinking outcomes.

Empirical Research on MI's Theory of Change 

MI is believed to increase motivation through two therapy approaches: client-centered and directional or strategic. 

Non-directive, client-centered approach focuses on:
1. accurate empathy (reflective listening to help explain and heighten an experience)
2. unconditional positive regard (people have the ability to grow and change)
3. genuineness (the therapist helps a person seek and find the ability to grow)

The client-centered and directional strategies are brought together to intensify motivation and commitment to becoming better and changing behaviors. 

California Baptist University

Motivational Interviewing is known to be one of the most validated and publicized psychosocial interventions for alcohol use disorders (AUD). MI is distinctive within psychosocial interventions, focusing mainly on increasing motivation. It is believed that having a lack of motivation to change one's behavior can be detrimental to becoming addicted and having other health issues. Research has shown that MI has successfully worked on various problematic behaviors. However, there is no evidence of how the process works or is conducted. Thus, further analysis must be done.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Morgenstern, J., Kuerbis, A., Houser, J., Levak, S., Amrhein, P., Shao, S., & McKay, J. R. (2017). Dismantling motivational interviewing: Effects on initiation of behavior change among problem drinkers seeking treatment. Psychology of addictive behaviors : journal of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors, 31(7), 751–762. https://doi.org/10.1037/adb0000317

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