What motivational interview process involves defining specific goals?

The process of defining specific goals in motivational interviewing is best described by the planning stage. During this part of the process, the coach collaborates with the client to establish clear and actionable objectives that align with the client’s motivation for change. This step is essential, as it transforms the insights gained in earlier stages of the conversation into concrete steps the client can take towards their desired outcome.

Planning is closely tied to commitment; it involves outlining a specific course of action, identifying possible barriers, and determining strategies to overcome those obstacles. This structured approach not only helps clients visualize their objectives but also increases their likelihood of success by providing them with a roadmap to follow.

Other processes, such as engaging, focusing, and evoking, play vital roles in building rapport, honing in on the client's motivations, and eliciting their intrinsic reasons for change, but they do not specifically deal with the establishment of defined goals. Engaging builds the relationship, focusing hones in on particular change topics, and evoking brings forth the client’s motivations and goals. Planning, however, is specifically where those motivations are transformed into actionable steps, making it the key process for defining specific goals in motivational interviewing.