When we have a sense that a client may be ready to transition from evoking to planning, what language do we want to hear that indicates this readiness? In most cases, it is language that describes their desire, ability, reasons, and need to change. The more that we hear this language, the more likely it is that the client is thinking about how this may actually happen. The clinician needs to hear just enough change talk to feel like the client is ready. It may feel like a judgment call but trusting your clinical intuition and hearing enough change talk will hopefully provide you with enough information to move forward.
If we listen closely to our clients, they will tell us when they are ready to change a behavior. There can be very high change language and there can be low change language. It is important not to miss the low change language because this language is still very important to recognize since it will often change into high change language. Miller and Rollnick offer examples of how this change language may sound:
High change language
鈥淚鈥檓 ready to do it!鈥�
鈥淵es, I鈥檓 willing to give it a try.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 going to do this, I promise.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檒l do whatever it takes鈥�
Low change language
鈥淚 might do it.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檒l think about it.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檒l probably get around to it.鈥�
鈥淚 hope to.鈥�
鈥淚 guess I could try.鈥�
It can be much easier to reinforce and ask questions when the clinician hears high change language. With low change language, the clinician must be careful with the righting reflex and not try to challenge the client鈥檚 responses. If a client feels challenged, they might go into sustain talk, or discord may be experienced in the therapeutic relationship.
When a clinician hears either high change language or low change language, it is an opportunity to be curious about what steps the client would like to take next. Attempt to follow at the client鈥檚 pace and try not to go ahead of where they are and what they are telling you. It is much easier to be patient than it is to take time to work through discord.
Change talk is a good indicator of readiness and the language the client gives you will determine how best to respond. As we continue in this blog series, we will look at different signs of readiness the client may display to help you decide if the client is ready to move from evoking to planning. I hope everyone is doing as well as possible and you have opportunities to use and practice motivational interviewing.
For more information about Motivational Interviewing or related services, contact Eunice Akinyi Okumu, by phone (919) 843-2532, or by email, eunice_okumu@med.unc.edu
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