Identify Change Talk

An important skill in MI is being able to identify change talk, specifically change talk that indicates commitment, or readiness to change.  You can listen carefully for decreased discussion about the problem, questions about change, resolve, taking steps, and a change in the tone of the client’s conversation to a more positive outlook on the idea of change. Knowing when you hear commitment talk is crucial because jumping too soon to planning when the client isn’t ready can backfire.  This can result in the client either not listening to you, or trying to change and failing. Either way, you have lost the connection or engagement with the client.