Motivational Interviewing Questions and Examples

What are motivational interviewing questions?

Motivational interviewing (MI) questions are open-ended and non-judgmental, designed to explore a person or client’s motivations, feelings, and thoughts about behavior change. These questions create an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding, encouraging clients to reflect on their current behaviors, recognize any discrepancies between their current state and their goals, and address the client's beliefs about the importance of change. Understanding and evoking the client's intrinsic motivations is crucial in this process.

When used effectively, these questions help clients become more motivated to change and take ownership of their growth. MI is a powerful tool for supporting individuals in achieving their goals and living their best lives.

Why are motivational interviewing questions helpful?

Motivational interviewing questions are transformative tools in therapeutic settings, especially for sparking meaningful and productive conversations. They help create a supportive environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings. Let’s explore how these questions can benefit both clients and therapists.

They uncover inner strengths and resources

Motivational interviewing questions can guide clients in exploring their inner motivations and strengths. Think of it as tapping into your client's intrinsic motivation. By asking the right questions, you help them identify personal resources crucial for making successful changes. This process empowers client's self-efficacy and belief in their potential.

They identify and resolve areas of ambivalence

Motivational interviewing is about helping clients resolve ambivalence about behavior change by using specific strategies and questioning techniques to promote self-reflection and clarity about their desires for change. These MI questions are fantastic tools for pinpointing areas where clients feel stuck or unsure, encouraging them to dig deep and understand the reasons behind their hesitation to change.

These questions explore discrepancies between the client's values and current situation, fostering constructive discussions and helping clients gain clarity. This process supports clients in taking ownership of their decisions, making the path to change much smoother and more empowering.

They foster open dialogue and reflective listening and develop plans for change

One of the best things about motivational interviewing questions is how they open up a dialogue between you and your client. Emotional intelligence skills, such as empathy, play a crucial role in fostering this open dialogue and understanding the client's needs. This conversation allows a deeper understanding of your client’s needs and goals.

Through this open communication, clients can explore different options and develop solid plans for change. This collaborative approach ensures clients feel supported and understood, which is critical to making lasting changes.

24 Motivational Interviewing Questions and Examples

Motivational interviewing uses the Stages of Change Model (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) to encourage people to make positive changes. Motivational interviewing skills, such as open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing, are essential for effective client-practitioner communication and facilitating behavioral change. These questions help us understand a person’s motivations and how to use them to foster positive change.

Here are some Motivational Interviewing Questions and Examples you can use for each stage:

Precontemplation

In this stage, the individual is not yet considering a change. You can use these questions to help them move forward by increasing awareness of their current behavior and its impacts.

1. Can you tell me more about your current thoughts and feelings about the behavior you’re considering changing in your own words?
2. What have you noticed about the impact of this behavior on your life, relationships, and well-being?
3. How important is it to change this behavior, and why?
4. What are some of the potential consequences of not changing this behavior, and how concerned are you about these consequences?

Example: For a client who is not yet considering quitting smoking, these questions can help them reflect on the negative impacts of smoking on their health and relationships, thereby initiating the contemplation of change. Understanding the client's own motivations can help initiate the contemplation of change.

Contemplation

Your client is considering change but has yet to commit to action. These questions can help facilitate their decision-making process by weighing the client's values against the pros and cons of change.

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of changing this behavior that you are currently weighing in your mind?
2. How confident do you feel you could change this behavior, and what factors contribute to your confidence or lack thereof?
3. What do you feel is holding you back from changing this behavior, and how might you overcome these obstacles?
4. How might making changes to this behavior impact your life and the lives of those around you? How do you feel about these potential impacts?

Example: For a client considering reducing alcohol consumption or substance abuse treatment, these questions can help them evaluate their decisional balance of the benefits of better health and relationships against the challenges of social pressure and withdrawal symptoms.

Preparation

The individual is preparing to take action to change talk and has a plan. These questions can be utilized to explore further and clarify the steps your client is taking to prepare for their desired change.

1. What specific steps are you considering to change this behavior, and how do you feel about these steps?
2. What kind of support would be helpful for you as you prepare to change this behavior, and how might you seek this support?
3. What potential challenges or barriers do you anticipate as you change this behavior, and how might you work to overcome these challenges?
4. How will you measure progress as you make changes to this behavior, and what will success look like for you?

Example: For a client planning to start a new exercise routine, these questions can help solidify their plan, identify necessary support, and anticipate challenges such as time management or physical limitations.

Action

Your client is actively taking steps toward behavior change. You can ask these questions to support them better as they take more steps to achieve their goals.

1. What changes have you made so far, and how do you feel about these changes?
2. How are you tracking your progress as you change this behavior, and what are you learning from this process?
3. What challenges or setbacks have you encountered during this process, and how have you worked to overcome them?
4. How are you staying motivated as you make changes to this behavior, and what strategies are you finding helpful?

Example: For a client who has begun a healthy eating plan, these questions can help them reflect on their progress, address any challenges, and stay motivated.

Maintenance

In this stage, your client has successfully made the behavior change and is working to sustain it over time. These questions can help support their progress and internal motivation to maintain the behavior change over time.

1. What are you doing to maintain your changes so far, and how do you feel about your progress?
2. What have you learned about yourself and your ability to make changes during this process, and how might you apply this learning to other areas of your life?
3. What potential triggers or situations might put you at risk for relapse, and how can you prepare to navigate these situations?
4. What support do you need to maintain your changes, and how might you get this support?

Example: For a client maintaining sobriety, these questions can help them plan for potential triggers, reflect on their growth, and identify ongoing support needs.

Relapse

During this stage, the individual returns to old habits or behaviors after progressing. These questions and skills can assist your client in getting back on track.

1. What led to the relapse, and how do you feel about this setback?
2. What have you learned from this experience, and how might you apply this learning to future attempts to make changes to this behavior?
3. What strategies have you found helpful in the past for overcoming setbacks and getting back on track, and how might you use these strategies now?
4. What kind of support do you need to prevent future relapses, and how might you get this support?

Example: For a client who has resumed smoking after quitting, these questions can help them understand the relapse, learn from the experience, and plan for future success in quitting smoking.

Note that MI uses different techniques to help clients move through each stage of change with ease, motivation, and support.

Motivational interviewing offers a respectful, collaborative approach to behavior change that aligns well with patient-centered care principles. By mastering MI techniques and questions, healthcare practitioners can empower their clients to make positive changes, leading to improved health outcomes and increased satisfaction for both clients and practitioners alike.

Reference

Prochaska, J. O., & DiClemente, C. C. (1983). Stages and processes of self-change of smoking: Toward an integrative model of change. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51(3), 390–395. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.51.3.390