Its time to change What does change talk

It’s time to change…

What does change talk look like? q Problem Recognition q Concern about the problem q Awareness of the problem q Potential benefits of change q Costs of not changing

Preparatory change talk & Implementing Change Talk D – Desire to change (want, like, wish…) A – Ability to change (can, could…) R – Reasons to change (if, then…) N – Need to change (got to, have to, need to…) + C – Commitment (intention, decision, readiness…) A – Activation (ready, prepared, willing…) T – Taking steps

Desire Ability Reason Need + Commitment I know I can quit if everyone just gets off my back. I’ve got to have my GED to get the apprenticeship. I don’t want my kids getting in the same trouble I did. This time, I am going straight to the halfway house from here. My mom’s not going to let me back in the house if I don’t quit. It ain’t worth it to be landing up in here again (jail). This time I’m going to stay clean.

Missed opportunities during change talk • Not listening • Expert focus/trap gathering information Hot on a trail (Going to “why”) • Not “recognizing” what change talk is • Not directive enough (wondering focus) • Not knowing how to respond to change talk

How Motivational Interviewing is directive (TOWARD evoking change talk): E. A. R. S! E: Eliciting, Elaboration A: Affirming R: Reflection S: Summarizing

Responding to change talk: EARS! Elaborating: In what way? Tell me more… What else? Affirming: That took a lot of courage. You’re a person who can make changes when you need to. Reflecting: That’s really important to you. You realize it’s become a problem. Summarizing: There a number of things I’m hearing about your situation. First, you’re concerned about… Also, you feel… and you are thinking…