7 MI Activities to do with Clients

Posted by Tim Tarks on April 14th, 2023

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered approach to counseling that helps individuals identify and work through their ambivalence towards change. Here are some motivational interviewing activities that can be used to help individuals increase their motivation to change:

1. Importance and confidence rulers: Ask the individual to rate on a scale of 1-10 how important it is for them to change their behavior, and how confident they feel about making that change. This can help identify areas where the individual feels more or less motivated to change.
2. Decisional balance worksheet: This worksheet helps individuals weigh the pros and cons of their current behavior versus the pros and cons of changing their behavior. This can help them clarify their ambivalence and identify potential barriers to change.
3. Reflection exercises: Ask the individual to reflect on their current behavior and its impact on their life. This can help them identify the need for change and develop a stronger motivation to change.
4. Goal setting: Work with the individual to set achievable goals related to behavior change. This can help them build confidence and momentum towards larger behavior changes.
5. Positive affirmations: Encourage the individual to create and repeat positive affirmations related to their desired behavior change. This can help them reinforce their motivation and commitment to change.
6. Mindfulness exercises: Practicing mindfulness can help individuals increase their self-awareness and identify their thoughts and feelings related to behavior change. This can help them build a stronger motivation to change and stay committed to their goals.
7. Role-play: Engage the individual in role-playing exercises that simulate challenging situations related to behavior change. This can help them develop strategies for coping with those situations and build their confidence in their ability to change.

These are just a few examples of motivational interviewing activities that can be used to help individuals increase their motivation to change. Motivational Interviewing Worksheets can help you carry out these activities and more. It's important to tailor these activities to the specific needs and goals of each individual.