As noted in Week 2, listen for the signs of readiness for change, do a recapitulation summary with the consumer of his/her DARN talk, and ask a key question. As Miller and Rolnick (2013) state:

The underlying rhythm of a recapitulation and key question is, “Here are all the motivations for change that you have told me. It’s in your hands what, if anything, you choose to do. What do you think?” You pull together all of the person’s own desire, ability, reasons and need, revving the engine of change, and then get out of the key by asking a key question. (p. 265)

When the consumer states that he/she has a next step in mind and is ready to take that next step (Activation & Commitment Change Talk) we move from the evoking change talk and a commitment to change to the planning phase of MI (Taking Action). When consumers have climbed the mountain of ambivalence (see Week 2) and have indicated that they are ready for change the energy shifts and they ski down the other side of the mountain of ambivalence toward taking steps to change.

Copyright Notice

Copyright Patricia A. Burke, all rights reserved. You may download or print one copy of the material in this course for your personal use.

References

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (3rd ed.) New York: Guilford Press.

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (June, 2010). What’s new since MI-2. Motivational Interviewing Conference Presentation.

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed.) New York: Guilford Press.

Rollnick, S., Miller, W.R. & Butler, C.C. (2008). Motivational interviewing in health care: helping patients change behavior. New York: Guilford Press.

Rosengren. (2009). Building motivational interviewing skills: A practitioner workbook. New York: Guildford Press.