Motivational interviewing is a powerful technique used by therapists, coaches, and other helping professionals to inspire change in their clients. The goal of motivational interviewing is to help individuals identify their own motivations for change and then empower them to take action towards their goals.

There are many tools and strategies that can be used in motivational interviewing to facilitate this process. Here are 30+ tools, affirmations, and more that can be used to help clients find the motivation they need to make positive changes in their lives.

1. Open-ended questions: Ask questions that require more than a simple yes or no answer, in order to encourage clients to explore their thoughts and feelings.

2. Reflective listening: Repeat back what the client has said in your own words, to show that you are actively listening and understanding their perspective.

3. Empathy: Show empathy and understanding towards the client, in order to build a trusting relationship.

4. Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to build the client’s confidence and belief in their ability to change.

5. Scaling questions: Ask clients to rate their motivation or confidence on a scale of 1-10, in order to help them gauge their readiness for change.

6. Decisional balance: Help clients weigh the pros and cons of making a change, in order to clarify their motivations.

7. Values clarification: Help clients identify their core values and how they align with their goals for change.

8. Goal-setting: Collaborate with clients to set realistic, achievable goals that align with their values and motivations.

9. Change talk: Encourage clients to talk about their desires for change and the steps they are willing to take to achieve it.

10. Readiness ruler: Ask clients to rate their readiness for change on a scale of 1-10, in order to gauge their level of commitment.

11. Change plan: Help clients create a concrete plan for how they will achieve their goals, including specific actions and timelines.

12. Developing discrepancy: Help clients recognize the gap between where they are now and where they want to be, in order to increase motivation for change.

13. Eliciting self-motivational statements: Encourage clients to express their own reasons for wanting to change, in order to build inner motivation.

14. Exploring ambivalence: Help clients understand and resolve conflicting feelings about making a change.

15. Amplified reflections: Reflect back the client’s statements in an exaggerated way, in order to highlight discrepancies and encourage deeper exploration.

16. Summarizing: Recap the key points of the conversation, in order to reinforce the client’s motivations and goals.

17. Change talk: Encourage clients to talk about their desires for change and the steps they are willing to take to achieve it.

18. Double-sided reflections: Reflect both the pros and cons of making a change, in order to help clients see the full picture.

19. Exception-finding: Help clients identify times when they have successfully made changes in the past, in order to build confidence and motivation.

20. Affirming strengths: Acknowledge and celebrate the client’s strengths and past successes, in order to build confidence.

21. Describing the ideal future: Encourage clients to visualize and describe their ideal future, in order to motivate them to take action.

22. Exploring goals and values: Help clients identify their core values and how they align with their goals for change.

23. Building self-efficacy: Help clients develop a sense of belief in their own abilities to make changes, in order to build confidence.

24. Exploring barriers: Help clients identify and problem-solve potential barriers to change, in order to increase their confidence and motivation.

25. Providing information: Offer clients relevant and accurate information to help them make informed decisions about their goals for change.

26. Reinforcing change talk: Highlight and reinforce the client’s statements about their desire for change and willingness to take action.

27. Encouraging small steps: Encourage clients to start with small, manageable steps towards their goals, in order to build momentum.

28. Encouraging self-monitoring: Help clients track their progress towards their goals, in order to build self-awareness and motivation.

29. Providing feedback: Offer constructive feedback and praise for the client’s efforts and progress towards their goals.

30. Celebrating successes: Acknowledge and celebrate the client’s achievements along the way, in order to reinforce their motivation for change.

Motivational interviewing is a powerful technique that can help individuals find the motivation they need to make positive changes in their lives. By using tools, affirmations, and strategies like the ones listed above, helping professionals can empower their clients to take action towards their goals and achieve lasting change.