Question

Describe motivational interviewing techniques including the use of the acronym OARS. Briefly describe the stages of change. Why do you think this may be an effective strategy in assessing clients who present with addiction problems?

Answer 1

The motivational interviewing techniques include

OARS- Open questions, affirmation, reflective listening, and summary reflections

Open questions are all about allowing the person to explain their part of the story. The interviewer will ask the question without interrupting and helping them. Moreover, it's important that the interviewer should not when asking open questions, you must be willing to listen to the person’s response.

Affirmation is all about accepting and recognizing the client's good points and showing them a wave of positivity.

Reflective listening refers to the collective action of communicating and encouraging the other in relationships, motivation to change etc.

Summaries is after reflective listening. This is all about summarizing the topic in a positive way.

This technique helps in moulding the mind of the client into a different and positive way. It motivates them to leave the addiction. The lack of motivation is usually the prior reason why people fail to quit their addiction.