87 Motivational Interviewing Questions for Change

Motivational interviewing questions aim to build motivation and commitment to change. They help people explore their mixed feelings about change. This makes it easier to move forward. The questions also help people come up with their own solutions, making them more likely to follow through.

According to a systematic review titled “Motivational Interviewing: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” published in the British Journal of General Practice, motivational interviewing questions have been shown to effectively address a wide range of behavioral issues and health conditions, outperforming traditional advice-giving in approximately 75% of studies reviewed.

What Are Motivational Interviewing Questions?

Motivational interviewing (MI) questions help people explore their thoughts and feelings about change. These questions aim to boost a person’s drive to make positive shifts in their life.

MI questions are open-ended queries used in counseling, therapy, coaching, and healthcare settings. They help clients think about their behaviors and reasons for change. These questions don’t judge or push for a specific answer. Instead, they invite people to reflect on their own motivations.

MI questions serve several key functions:

• They encourage self-reflection
• They help uncover personal reasons for change
• They build trust between the counselor and client
• They support the client’s autonomy

By asking the right questions, counselors and coaches guide clients to voice their own arguments for change. This self-motivation is often more powerful than outside pressure.

How MI Questions Facilitate Change

MI questions help people work through mixed feelings about change. When an individual is not sure about changing, these questions can help sort out their thoughts. They bring out “change talk” – the person’s own words about why and how they might change.

Some ways MI questions help:

• They explore the good and not-so-good sides of current behavior
• They ask about an individual’s hopes and goals for the future
• They look at times when an individual made positive changes before

These questions put a person in charge of their choices. We are the experts in our own lives. The practitioner’s job is to help the client find their own reasons and ways to change. This approach makes the individual more likely to stick with the changes they decide to make.

Benefits Of Motivational Interviewing Questions

Motivational interviewing questions help people change behaviors and improve their lives. They also give practitioners useful tools for their work.

For Clients

The client gains more control over their choices when asked motivational questions. These questions help the client think about why they want to change. They become more aware of their goals and values.

Motivational questions reduce their defenses. They feel less judged and more understood. This makes them more open to exploring new ideas.

These questions boost confidence. The client starts to see their own strengths and abilities. This helps them believe in their power to change.

Your client will learn to solve their own problems. The questions guide them to find their own answers. This skill helps them long after the interview ends.

For Practitioners

You build better relationships with clients using these questions. They show you care about the client’s views. This trust helps clients open up more.

The questions help you avoid arguments. You don’t need to convince clients to change. Instead, you guide them to their own reasons for change.

You learn more about your clients’ needs and values. This helps you tailor your approach to each person. Your work becomes more effective.

These questions save you time and energy. Clients do most of the talking and thinking. You don’t have to come up with all the solutions yourself.

Motivational Interviewing Questions

Motivational interviewing uses different question types to explore their thoughts and feelings. These questions aim to spark change and build motivation.

Open-Ended MI Questions

Open-ended questions can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” They let people share more about their thoughts and feelings. These questions often start with words like “what,” “how,” or “tell me about.” They give you space to talk freely.

• What does a typical day look like for you when things are going well?
• How do you see this situation impacting your future?
• What’s one thing you wish others understood about your experience?

A study titled “Adherence to Principles of Motivational Interviewing and Client Within-Session Behavior,” published in Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 2006, states the use of more open questions by the therapist was related to a better interaction score between the client and the therapist and showed a trend towards increases in change talk.

Eliciting Change Talk Questions 

These questions try to get you talking about change. They focus on your reasons for wanting to change. They might ask about your hopes for the future or what you don’t like about your current situation.

• What would it mean to you to overcome this challenge?
• How would your life improve if you made this change?
• What’s one reason you feel it might be worth making a change?

Exploring Ambivalence Questions

These questions look at your mixed feelings about change. They help you think about the good and bad sides of changing. They might ask what worries you about change or what you like about your current habits.

• What are some things you like about your current situation, and what are some things you don’t like?
• How do you weigh the benefits and drawbacks of staying where you are versus making a change?
• What would need to happen for you to feel more confident about making a change?

Scaling Questions

Scaling questions use numbers to measure your feelings or readiness to change. You might be asked to rate something on a scale from 1 to 10. This helps you and the interviewer see where you stand.

• On a scale of 1-10, how important is it to you to address this issue? What makes you choose that number instead of a lower one?
• On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you in your ability to make this change? What would help you move closer to a 10?
• On a scale of 1-10, how ready do you feel to take the first step? What’s holding you back from being at a 10?

Strength-Based Questions

These questions focus on your strengths and past successes. They help you see what you’re good at and how you’ve overcome challenges before. This can boost your confidence in your ability to change.

• What strengths or skills have helped you overcome challenges in the past?
• Who in your life believes in you, and how have they supported you?
• What personal qualities make you feel capable of succeeding in this situation?

Visioning Questions

Visioning questions ask you to imagine a better future. They help you picture what life could be like after making a change. This can increase your motivation to work towards that future.

• If everything worked out exactly the way you wanted, what would your life look like a year from now?
• Imagine you’ve already achieved this change—what does your day-to-day life feel like?
• If you could design your ideal future, what role would this change play in it?

Clarifying Questions

Clarifying questions helps make sure the interviewer understands you correctly. They might repeat back what you said and ask if that’s right. This shows they’re listening and helps avoid mix-ups.

• When you say you’re feeling stuck, what does that mean to you?
• Can you help me understand what makes this decision so difficult for you?
• What does success in this area look like to you?

MI Questions For Each Stage Of Change

MI takes its theoretical basis from the Transtheoretical Model. The Transtheoretical Model, also known as Stages of Change, was developed by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the late 1970s to explain how people progress through stages of behavior change.

It provides a framework for understanding and supporting personal transformation.

MI questions vary based on a person’s readiness for change. Let’s explore questions for each stage.

Precontemplation Stage Questions

Questions in this stage aim to raise awareness. You might ask:

• What would have to happen for you to consider making a change in the future?
• How do you feel about the way things are right now?
• What are some reasons you might not feel ready to make a change?

These questions help people think about potential problems without pressure.

Contemplation Stage Questions

Here, questions explore ambivalence. Try asking:

• What are some benefits you think you might experience if you decided to make a change?
• What’s holding you back from making a decision about this change?
• How can I help you move from thinking about change to feeling ready to take action?

These questions help weigh options and build motivation.

Preparation Stage Questions

Questions now focus on planning. You could ask:

• What steps have you already thought about taking to start this change?
• How can you set yourself up for success in the first few weeks of making this change?
• What resources or support do you think you’ll need to get started?

These questions help create a clear action plan.

Action Stage Questions 

In this stage, questions support ongoing efforts. Ask:

• What’s been going well since you started making this change?
• What challenges have come up, and how have you handled them?
• How can you build on your current momentum to keep moving forward?

These questions reinforce progress and problem-solve.

Maintenance Stage Questions

Questions here aim to prevent relapse. Consider asking:

• What strategies have been most effective in helping you maintain this change?
• What are some warning signs you might notice if you start slipping back into old habits?
• How can you continue to reinforce the positive habits you’ve built?

These questions strengthen commitment to new behaviors.

Relapse Questions

If relapse occurs, questions focus on learning and moving forward. Ask:

• What did you learn from this experience that can help you move forward?
• What do you think contributed to returning to old behaviors, and how can you address that moving forward?
• How can you refocus on your goals and rebuild confidence in your ability to succeed?

These questions help regain motivation and prevent future slips.

Example Motivational Interviewing Questions for Different Scenarios

Addition

• What are some reasons you might want to cut back or stop using substances?
• How does your substance use affect the things in life that matter most to you?
• If you decided to make a change, what would the first step look like?

Alcohol Use

• How do you feel your drinking impacts your daily life or relationships?
• What are some positive changes you think could happen if you reduced your alcohol use?
• On a scale of 1-10, how ready are you to make changes to your drinking habits? What would move you one step closer?

Behavior Change

• What are the pros and cons of staying where you are versus making a change?
• Can you describe a time when you successfully made a change? What worked for you then?
• What’s one small step you could take today to move closer to your goal?

Depression

• How does your current mood affect your daily life or the goals you care about?
• What activities or routines, even small ones, might bring you a sense of relief or accomplishment?
• What would life look like if things were better, even by a little?

Diabetes

• How do you see managing your diabetes affecting your health and future?
• What challenges do you face in managing your blood sugar levels, and how have you overcome challenges in the past?
• If you could make one small change in your routine to improve your diabetes management, what would it be?

Domestic Violence

• How do you feel your current situation is affecting your sense of safety and well-being?
• What support do you think you might need to feel safer or more in control of your life?
• What steps have you considered to improve your safety or situation?

Exercise

• How do you think regular exercise could benefit your physical or mental health?
• What type of physical activity do you enjoy or think you might enjoy trying?
• What’s one realistic way you could add movement to your daily routine?

Health Coaching

• What does being “healthy” mean to you, and what would it look like in your life?
• What are some barriers you’ve faced in achieving your health goals, and how might you overcome them?
• How can I best support you in taking the next steps toward your health goals?

Medication Adherence

• What are your thoughts or concerns about taking your medication as prescribed?
• How do you think taking your medication could help you achieve your health goals?
• What might make it easier for you to remember or stay consistent with your medication?

Mental Health

• How does your mental health affect the areas of your life that are most important to you?
• What have you found helpful in managing your mental health in the past?
• What would it mean to you to feel better, and how do you think you could get there?

Obesity

• How do you feel about your current weight and its impact on your health or lifestyle?
• What changes would you like to see in your health or body over time?
• What are some steps you feel confident taking to move toward your weight-loss goals?

Patients

• What are your top health priorities, and what would achieving them mean to you?
• What challenges have you faced in managing your health, and how have you addressed challenges in the past?
• How ready do you feel to make changes to improve your health, and what would help you feel more prepared?

Resistant Clients

• What are your thoughts on the changes we’ve discussed, and how do you feel they fit into your life?
• What are some of the reasons you feel hesitant to make a change right now?
• If you were to consider making a change, what might be a small, manageable step?

Smoking Cessation

• How does smoking fit into your life, and what do you like and dislike about it?
• What changes might you notice if you decided to reduce or quit smoking?
• If you decided to quit, what would be the first step, and how could I support you?

Students

• How do you feel your current habits are affecting your academic or personal goals?
• What are some changes you’d like to make in how you approach your studies or daily routine?
• What would success look like for you this semester, and what’s one thing you can do to move toward it?

Weight Loss

• What are your main motivations for wanting to lose weight, and how do they align with your overall goals?
• What challenges have you faced in managing your weight, and how might you overcome them this time?
• What’s one simple, actionable step you could take today to move toward your weight-loss goals?

Best Practices For Asking Motivational Interviewing Questions

Asking effective motivational interviewing questions requires skill and practice. These key strategies can help you improve your approach and get better results with clients.

Be Curious, Not Judgmental

Stay open-minded when asking questions. Avoid making assumptions or passing judgment on the client’s responses. Instead, approach each question with genuine curiosity about their perspective.

Use open-ended questions that encourage the client to share more details. For example, ask “What are your thoughts on making this change?” rather than “Don’t you think you should make this change?”

Show empathy and understanding in your tone and body language. Nod and use phrases like “I see” to acknowledge what they’re saying without agreeing or disagreeing.

Adapt Questions To The Client’s Needs

Tailor your questions to each individual client. Pay attention to their unique situation, goals, and challenges.

Start with broader questions, then ask more specific follow-ups based on their responses. This allows you to dig deeper into areas that seem most relevant or important to them.

Be flexible and willing to change direction if needed. If a line of questioning isn’t productive, try a different approach.

Use scaling questions to help clients assess their readiness for change. For example: “On a scale of 1-10, how confident are you that you can make this change?”

Focus On Active Listening And Reflection

Give your full attention to the client’s responses. Listen carefully not just to their words, but also their tone and body language.

Use reflective statements to show you understand and to check your interpretation. For example: “It sounds like you’re feeling frustrated with your progress. Is that right?”

Summarize key points periodically to ensure you’re on the same page. This also gives the client a chance to clarify or expand on anything you may have misunderstood.

Ask follow-up questions that build on what the client has shared. This shows you’re listening and helps to deepen the conversation.

Conclusion

Motivational interviewing questions can transform your interactions with clients. These open-ended queries spark change talk and build motivation. By using them, you guide people to find their own reasons for change.

Practice is key to mastering this skill. Start with simple reflections and open questions. Then, build up to more complex techniques over time. Remember to listen deeply and avoid pushing your own agenda.

The OARS framework provides a helpful structure. Open questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries keep conversations productive. Combine these with change talk to move clients forward.

Motivational interviewing takes patience. Change rarely happens overnight. Your role is to plant seeds and nurture growth. Trust the process and celebrate small wins along the way.

With practice, you’ll help clients tap into their innate wisdom and strengths. This empowering approach leads to lasting positive changes. Keep honing your skills to become a more effective helper and guide.