Motivational Interviewing Techniques Flashcards

The OARS framework in MI stands for:

Answer: Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries

OARS—Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries—are the four core communication skills in motivational interviewing.

A holistic coach summarizes a client's session by weaving together their values, concerns, and change talk. This is best described as a:

Answer: Linking summary

A linking summary connects what the client said earlier in the session to current statements, highlighting patterns and reinforcing change talk.

Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model is most associated with someone who says 'I've been thinking about making a change in the next six months'?

Answer: Contemplation

Contemplation is characterized by awareness of the problem and consideration of change within the next six months without a firm commitment.

In MI, what is the purpose of 'agenda mapping' at the start of a session?

Answer: To collaboratively identify which topics the client wants to explore

Agenda mapping is a collaborative process that respects client autonomy by letting them choose which areas to focus on in the session.

When practicing MI, a coach should respond to a client's change talk by:

Answer: Using selective reflection to amplify it

Selectively reflecting change talk draws attention to it and encourages the client to expand on their own motivation.

A client with a substance use concern says, 'I can take it or leave it.' Which MI response is most appropriate?

Answer: 'Tell me more about what you mean by that.'

Asking 'Tell me more' is an open-ended invitation that keeps the conversation exploratory without triggering defensiveness.

Which of the following best exemplifies the 'support self-efficacy' principle of MI?

Answer: Highlighting the client's past successes in similar challenges

Supporting self-efficacy involves helping the client recognize their own capacity and past evidence of success to build confidence in change.