Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach designed to help people find the motivation to make a positive behavior change. This client-centered approach is particularly effective for people who have mixed feelings about changing their behavior. Motivational interviewing should always be implemented with a particular "spirit." In motivational interviewing, this relationship is based on the point of view and experiences of the client.

Example: 

Open Question:  Open questions invite others to “tell their story” in their own words without leading them in a specific direction. Open questions should be used often in conversation but not exclusively. Of course, when asking open questions, you must be willing to listen to the person’s response. 

• How can I help you with ___?
• Help me understand ___?
• How would you like things to be different?
• What are the good things about ___ and what are the less good things about it?
• When would you be most likely to___?
• What do you think you will lose if you give up ___?
• What have you tried before to make a change?
• What do you want to do next?

 Affirmations are statements and gestures that recognize client strengths and acknowledge behavior's that lead in the direction of positive change, no matter how big or small. Affirmations build confidence in one’s ability to change. To be effective, affirmations must be genuine and congruent.

Examples of affirming responses:

• I appreciate that you are willing to meet with me today.
• You are clearly a very resourceful person.
• You handled yourself really well in that situation.
• That’s a good suggestion.
• If I were in your shoes, I don’t know if I could have managed nearly so well.
• I’ve enjoyed talking with you today.