5 Powerful Questions Motivational Interviewing Therapists Use to Unlock Lasting Change
Have you ever wanted to change—but just couldn’t seem to start? Maybe you’ve thought, “I know this isn’t working, but I’m not ready to give it up.” If that sounds familiar, you're not alone—and you're not broken.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based approach built around one simple idea: real change comes from within, not from pressure or persuasion. Instead of telling you what to do, MI-trained practitioners ask questions—carefully chosen ones—to help you explore your own reasons for change.
In this post, you'll discover five powerful questions MI practitioners use to help people move from stuck to motivated. You can even use them on yourself.
What Makes a Question Powerful in Motivational Interviewing?
Not all questions are created equal. In MI, questions are:
Open-ended, not yes/no
Non-judgmental
Designed to explore, not convince
Rooted in empathy, not authority
A great MI question invites collaboration, draws out a person's own values, and helps them recognize the gap between where they are and where they want to be.
5 Powerful Questions That Unlock Motivation
1. “What would you like to be different in your life?”
This gentle opener invites reflection without pressure. It avoids telling someone what should change and instead honors their autonomy.
Why it works: It gets to the heart of desire for change without judgment or assumption. The client leads; the practitioner follows.
2. “On a scale from 1 to 10, how important is it for you to make this change?”
This is a classic scaling question in MI. But the magic comes in the follow-up:
“Why did you pick a 5 and not a 2?”
This encourages people to verbalize their own reasons for change, not resistance.
Why it works: It draws out “change talk”—language in favor of making a change—while acknowledging that the motivation is already inside them.
3. “If nothing changes, where do you see yourself in six months?”
This looking-forward question helps the person imagine the consequences of staying the same—without being confrontational.
Why it works: It increases discomfort with the status quo (a.k.a. "discrepancy") in a compassionate, non-shaming way. It gently moves people from stuck to thinking.
4. “What would making this change allow you to do that you can’t do now?”
Instead of focusing on what they’re giving up, this question invites them to imagine what they might gain.
Why it works: People are more motivated by personal goals and values than by guilt or fear. This question helps them see what’s possible on the other side of change.
5. “What strengths have helped you make changes in the past?”
This one’s all about self-efficacy—the belief that you can change. It encourages people to reconnect with their successes, even if they’ve failed before.
Why it works: It reminds people they already have the tools they need. This builds confidence and resilience.
How to Use These Questions in Real Life
You don’t have to be a therapist to use these questions. Try them:
In journaling if you’re stuck in your own life
In conversations with a loved one who’s ambivalent about change
As a way to self-coach through tough decisions
A word of caution: Don’t use these questions to push or fix someone. Ask, then listen—without rushing to fill the silence. MI is most powerful when it’s rooted in respect and curiosity, not advice.
Final Thoughts
Real motivation doesn’t come from pressure—it comes from within. These five questions don’t give advice. They unlock the voice of change that already exists inside you.
If you’re feeling stuck, ambivalent, or uncertain about your next step, working with a therapist trained in Motivational Interviewing can help you reconnect with your why—and move toward meaningful change on your own terms.
Because How You Listen Changes Everything
