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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Virtual Agent for Real-Time Motivational Interviewing by Integrating Adaptive Nonverbal Behavior and Language Models
Published on: December 23, 2025
Client experiences of motivational interviewing for generalized anxiety disorder: a qualitative analysis
Madalyn Marcus1, Henny Westra, Lynne Angus
1York University, Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. madalyn@yorku.ca
Abstract:
While Motivational Interviewing (MI) has demonstrated efficacy, little is known about the mechanisms through which MI achieves beneficial effects or how clients perceive the process of MI. The present study addressed this gap through a qualitative analysis of client accounts following four sessions of MI for generalized anxiety disorder. Clients identified increased motivation for treatment and change, experiencing the therapist as empathic and MI as a safe place to explore their feelings regarding change. MI was also described as deviant from client initial expectations. Overall, the emergent understanding of MI derived from clients' post-treatment narratives was consistent with MI principles and processes.
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