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Discussion Thread: 2 - Motivational Interviewing’s Concept of “OARS”

Motivational Interviewing: Core Clinician Skills - Introducing OARS. Please make sure to include each bulleted question with your answer for clarity. In a good paragraph each, give two sentences from the video demonstrating (Heart Foundation, 2012): 

· Open-ended questions encourage clients to consider possibilities for change. Examples include “What strategies could you use to increase your enjoyment of exercise?" and "What activities would you prefer to engage in?"

· Affirming involves actions that enhance a client's confidence through authentic communication, with messaging tailored appropriately and specifically to support the client's self-efficacy. For example, two affirming statements might be: “It sounds like you thought a lot about your need to make change. “What do you perceive as the healthy way to go?”

· Reflection s assist clients in clarifying their thoughts, determining their values, and engaging them in reflective statements that support progress toward change. “Yessss, it sounds like exercise is, it sounds a little bit like exercise is part of who you been in your life.” In addition, “Exercise is something that helps you to feel happy, confident, and effective in your life.”

· Summarizing involves weaving together what motivates the client for change. For instance, altering habits can impact one’s eating lifestyle. Additionally, an individual’s eating choices often reflect their commitment to health and wellness goals, exuding positivity when aligned with the client’s desire for accountability.

Now practice coming up with at least three reflections for each of these client comments (please place your reflections in bold so I can easily see them):

· Client Comment: Conflict makes me uncomfortable.

Practitioner Response:

Reflection 1: You mean that having differences of opinions has not always been easy for you.

Reflection 2: It sounds like you are saying that change can be hard when there are disagreements.

Reflection 3: Do you mean that you don’t understand how to resolve conflict when it conveys itself with others?

· Client Comment: I am generally a happy person.

Practitioner Response:

Reflection 1: You mean that you are usually in a good mood.

Reflection 2: It sounds like you are saying that you are usually optimistic.

Reflection 3: Do you mean that you don’t easily get impacted in a negative manner from other individual’s emotions?

· Client Response: I let people bother me more than I should.

Practitioner Response:

Reflection 1: You mean that you are easily distracted.

Reflection 2: It sounds like you are saying that you could use better emotional management skills when interacting with others.

Reflection 3: Are you saying that you are empathetic; however, you could use better boundaries?

· In chapter 2, the authors mention 4 "traps" that we need to be aware of when using MI.  Name each one, and in a few sentences each, briefly discuss how to avoid those traps when dealing with our client "Marci."

When utilizing Motivational Interviewing (MI), it is important to be aware of several common traps: the expert trap, persuasion trap, time trap, and wandering trap (Miller & Rollnick, 2023). The  expert trap occurs when the practitioner adopts an authoritarian stance, attempting to solve the client's problem for them. Similarly, the  persuasion trap involves a tendency to direct or rush to fix the issue. The  time trap refers to procrastination or the urge to resolve matters hastily before time expires, potentially overlooking the need for multiple sessions or adequate time to achieve realistic progress. Finally, the  wandering trap arises when the practitioner struggles to remain attuned to the client’s focus and needs, losing presence in guiding the client’s mission.

In Module Three, Addiction Assessment Case Study, practitioners can mitigate the four “traps” associated with Motivational Interviewing by observing several key strategies. First, to avoid the expert trap, practitioners should refrain from automatically attributing Marci’s family difficulties to alcohol use. Second, it is important to steer clear of the assumption or persuasion trap by not presuming that Marci perceives herself as broken or considers herself to have an addiction. Third, maintaining focus on the presenting issue allows Marci the opportunity to share her personal narrative; this approach also helps guard against the time trap. Finally, practitioners should remain attentive to Marci’s account of how past marijuana use contributed to feelings of paranoia and recent sleep disturbances, while ensuring that attention remains directed toward the primary objective, thereby avoiding the wandering trap.

· Because reflective listening can be challenging to practice at first, it is a learnable skill.  Give an example of how you were able to try it with a real person this week.  This could be a spouse, child, co-worker, acquaintance, etc. (no names or personal information!). 

Myself – Hello, how have you been?

Friend – I am doing well, thank you.

Myself – I am pleased to hear that everything is progressing as anticipated for you.

Friend – Yes, it was a productive day; I also played tennis and received reassuring medical reports, notwithstanding my initial concerns regarding follow-ups and the screening process.

Myself – It appears you had an excellent day and managed to overcome any challenges you encountered.

Friend – I appreciate your support and am grateful for our continued communication.

 

· Closeout your post with a “plan of action” of how you can implement reflecting more into your day-to-day life when communicating with others.

Proverbs 27:17 (New International Version) underscores the value of biblical principles and mutual support, both of which resonate with the core ideas of Motivational Interviewing. Similarly, Psalm 1:1-2 (NIV) describes the happiness of those who reflect on scripture day and night, while Psalm 37:7 (NIV) assures peace to those who find rest in their Higher Power, God. I strive to listen attentively without acting on impulse. By taking a pause before responding, I give myself space to consider the conversation thoughtfully. Staying present in each moment is also essential. When I feel overwhelmed or unable to engage consistently and intentionally, I recognize the importance of stepping back and returning later. This approach helps me maintain healthy relationships, honor boundaries, and prioritize my own well-being.

 

 

 

References

Heart Foundation. (2012, February 20).  Motivational interviewing: Core clinician skills –

     Introducing OARS [Video].      Links to an external site. Links to an external site.  5.Motivational Interviewing: Core clinician skills -- Introducing OARS - YouTubeLinks to an    external site.Links to an external site.

Miller, W. R. & Rollnick, S. (2023).  Motivational interviewing: Helping People Change (4th

     ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.