Motivational Interviewing

Spirit of MI

The foundational mindset of Motivational Interviewing, encompassing collaboration, evocation, and autonomy. It emphasizes a partnership between therapist and client, drawing out the individual’s motivations for change and respecting their autonomy in the decision-making process.

OARS

An acronym representing core communication skills in MI: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summarizing. These techniques facilitate engaging conversations that encourage clients to explore their thoughts and feelings about change.

Change Talk

Client statements that indicate a desire, ability, reason, or need for change. Recognizing and reinforcing change talk is crucial in MI, as it signifies the client’s motivation and readiness to alter behavior.

Sustain Talk

Client language that favors maintaining the status quo. Addressing sustain talk involves exploring the client’s ambivalence and gently guiding the conversation toward change without confrontation.

Decisional Balance

A technique that helps clients weigh the pros and cons of changing versus not changing. This process aids in resolving ambivalence by highlighting discrepancies between current behaviors and broader life goals.

Readiness Ruler

A scaling tool used to assess a client’s readiness to change on a continuum, typically from 0 to 10. It facilitates discussions about motivation and helps identify steps to increase readiness.

Evocation

The process of eliciting the client’s own motivations and resources for change. Rather than imposing reasons for change, the therapist draws out the client’s personal values and goals.

Rolling with Resistance

A strategy where the therapist avoids direct confrontation and instead acknowledges and explores the client’s resistance to change. This approach maintains a collaborative relationship and reduces defensiveness.

Developing Discrepancy

Highlighting the differences between the client’s current behaviors and their broader values or goals. This technique fosters internal motivation by making clients aware of inconsistencies in their actions.

Affirmations

Positive statements that recognize the client’s strengths and efforts. Affirmations build self-efficacy and encourage continued progress toward change.

Reflective Listening

A communication skill where the therapist mirrors the client’s statements to demonstrate understanding and encourage deeper exploration of thoughts and feelings.

Summarizing

The practice of recapping key points from the conversation to reinforce understanding and transition between topics. Summaries can consolidate change talk and reinforce motivation.

Autonomy Support

Respecting and reinforcing the client’s right to make their own choices. Supporting autonomy empowers clients and fosters a sense of control over their behavior change process.

Engaging

The initial phase of MI focused on building a trusting relationship between therapist and client. Effective engagement sets the stage for productive conversations about change.

Focusing

Collaboratively setting the agenda for the conversation. Focusing ensures that both therapist and client are aligned on the specific behaviors or issues to address during the session.