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MI emphasizes partnership, acceptance, compassion, and evocation. Core skills (OARS) and strategies (developing discrepancy, rolling with resistance) guide counselors to reflect ambivalence and elicit change talk. Option C offers a complex reflection that validates the client’s perspective while gently highlighting discrepancy (peer norms vs. job risk) and invites elaboration about change (“times you thought of cutting back”). This approach increases autonomy and intrinsic motivation. Option A is confrontational and can entrench sustain talk. Option B imposes a plan without engagement, undermining autonomy. Option D postpones work and implies readiness is static; MI views readiness as dynamic and influenceable through skillful conversation. Effective MI also includes scaling questions, decisional balance, and collaboratively setting targets consistent with the client’s values. Counselors should avoid the “righting reflex,” seek permission before offering feedback, and summarize change talk to build momentum toward a negotiated plan that could include brief interventions, referrals, or monitoring, depending on risk and context.