How to Use Questions in Motivational Interviewing to Support Client Change

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a powerful, client-centered approach designed to help people explore their ambivalence about change and tap into their own motivation. One of the most practical ways to implement MI is by asking the right questions—questions that guide the conversation without imposing solutions.

Whether you’re new to MI or an experienced clinician, having a set of go-to questions can improve session flow, deepen client engagement, and increase the likelihood of meaningful change.

Why Questions Matter in MI

In MI, the goal is to evoke change talk, not to lecture or advise. Open-ended, reflective, and scaling questions:

  • Encourage clients to explore their own motivations

  • Highlight ambivalence in a non-confrontational way

  • Support collaborative planning for change

  • Build rapport and trust

Essential Categories of MI Questions

1. Open-Ended Questions
Open-ended questions invite clients to share more about their experiences, feelings, and goals. Examples include:

  • “What’s been going well for you recently?”

  • “When you think about making a change, what comes to mind?”

2. Exploring Ambivalence
These questions help clients weigh the pros and cons of change, which is a core step in MI:

  • “What are some of the good things about your current situation?”

  • “What might get in the way if you decided to make a change?”

3. Scaling Questions
Scaling questions help quantify a client’s readiness and confidence:

  • “On a scale from 0 to 10, how important is it for you to make this change?”

  • “What would help move you from a 5 to a 7?”

4. Evoking Change Talk
These questions focus on highlighting client motivations and strengths:

  • “How would your life improve if you took this step?”

  • “What is the worst thing that would happen if you don’t make this change?”

5. Planning Questions
Planning questions guide clients in identifying actionable steps while maintaining autonomy:

  • “What could be your first small step?”

  • “What has worked for you in the past when you’ve made changes?”

Tips for Using MI Questions Effectively

  • Listen actively: Don’t just ask questions—reflect, summarize, and affirm responses. Avoid asking more than three questions in a row.

  • Follow the client’s lead: Let their answers guide your next response.

  • Keep it flexible: Adapt questions to the client’s stage of change, context, and comfort level.

Looking for more examples of effective questions? I’ve created a two-page, professional MI question handout designed for easy reference of 50 questions. Download the Motivational Interviewing Questions Handout Here


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Using Motivational Interviewing in Schools: Unlock Student Potential