10 Best Motivational Interviewing Worksheets & Handouts

The Importance of Motivation and Encouragement

We all need motivation and encouragement at times. As human beings, it can be easy to lose sight of our goals or get discouraged when faced with challenges. However, with compassion and understanding, we can support each other to stay resilient.

Understanding Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that aims to strengthen a person’s motivation for positive change. The focus is on evoking the client’s own reasons and desire for change, rather than imposing ideas from outside.

10 Helpful Motivational Interviewing Tools

Here are 10 worksheets and handouts that counselors have found useful for motivating and encouraging clients:

1. Exploring Your Values

This worksheet helps clients connect with their core values to find intrinsic motivation.

2. Wheel of Change

This assesses a client’s readiness to change and motivation levels.

3. Change Plan Worksheet

Helps clients make concrete goals and plans to support self-motivation.

4. Identifying Strengths and Supports

Assists clients in recognizing positive resources they already possess.

5. Cost/Benefit Analysis

Allows clients to evaluate the pros and cons of behavior change.

The Importance of Compassion

At the heart of motivational interviewing is compassion – seeking to understand the client’s inner world and meet them where they are. Progress comes from within, when we feel accepted as we are.

FAQ

What is motivational interviewing used for?

Motivational interviewing is used to help strengthen a client’s own motivation and commitment to positive change. It is applicable across a wide range of situations including health, mental health, addictions, and lifestyle changes.

How do you motivate someone who is resistant?

The key is avoiding arguing for change. Instead, seek to understand their perspective, meet them with empathy, build trust, and allow their own reasons for change to emerge at their own pace.

What questions does motivational interviewing ask?

Open-ended questions that evoke the client’s ideas like “What makes you want to change this?”, “What worries you about staying the same?” and “What do you think the next step could be?”. The focus should always be eliciting the client’s wisdom.

What are some good motivational interviewing techniques?

Active listening, asking open questions, affirming strengths, reflecting back what you hear, summarizing what you understand about the client’s situation and goals. Avoid arguing, judging or giving unsolicited advice.

Why is motivational interviewing effective?

It is effective because progress comes from within. When clients explore and voice their own desires, goals and abilities for positive change, they connect more deeply with the intrinsic motivation needed to succeed.