Questions for Engaging in Motivational Interviewing (MI) | VR Toolkit for SSI Youth

There are four central processes that contribute to the flow of MI and help move an individual through the change process.

Engaging- the process of forming a positive working relationship and connection.
Focusing- identifying a direction for change goals
Evoking- helping the individual to identify and express reasons for change
Planning-developing a commitment to change and coming up with an action plan

Questions for Each Stage of the Motivational Interviewing Process
Engaging	How comfortable is the person talking to me? How supportive and helpful am I being? Do I understand the person’s perspective and concerns? How comfortable do I feel in this conversation? Does this feel like a collaborative partnership?
Focusing	What goals for change does this person have? Do I have different aspirations for change than the client has for himself/herself? Are we working together with common goals? Do I have a clear since of where we are headed in the future? Does this feel more like dancing or wrestling?
Evoking	What are the person’s reasons for change? Is the reluctance more about confidence or importance of the change? Am I steering the person too far or too fast in a particular direction? Is the righting reflex pulling me to be the one arguing for change?
Planning	What would be a reasonable next step toward change? What would help this person to move forward? Am I remembering to evoke rather than prescribe a plan? Am I offering needed information or advice with permission? Am I retaining a sense of quiet curiosity about what will work best for this person?

Print and Go Topic:

Supporting Effective Decision Making

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