Motivational modification in Adlerian therapy focuses on:

• A. Client's interest in changing negative lifestyle goals and challenging basic negative concepts
• B. Therapist imposing new goals on the client
• C. Mechanical repetition of coping strategies
• D. Diagnosing neurological deficits

Answer: (A)

Motivational modification in Adlerian therapy centers on the client's own motivation to change and on reframing the lifestyle goals and basic negative concepts that have guided their behavior. In Adlerian work, a person’s lifestyle (their unique way of striving for significance and belonging) can be built around mistaken or negative goals and beliefs. The therapist supports the client in examining these goals, encouraging self-direction, and aligning changes with social interest and growth. This collaborative, encouragement-based process helps the client willingly shift toward healthier goals rather than having changes imposed from outside. By focusing on what the client wants to achieve and how their core beliefs are guiding their choices, Adlerian therapy aims to empower genuine, self-directed transformation.

The other approaches described don’t fit Adlerian practice: imposing new goals undermines the client’s autonomy and the collaborative spirit; mechanically repeating coping strategies misses the need to reevaluate and reorient underlying goals and beliefs; and diagnosing neurological deficits steps outside the psychological focus of modifying goals and lifestyle.