Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a popular technique used for behavioral modification. It focuses on helping teens recognize that they have the internal motivation to change. It uses a variety of techniques to assist teens in overcoming ambivalence and taking the right steps toward behavioral modification. It can help them overcome peer pressure and self-doubt.
This article will highlight common motivational interviewing questions. The questions will be categorized into groups depending on what they encourage teens to do. If you are considering motivational interviewing for your teen, contact NexStep Teen Academy today. We will be happy to walk you through our services and treatment options.
Teen Motivational Interviewing Questions
Motivational interviewing uses a variety of techniques to help teens modify unhelpful behaviors. Each technique seeks to assist teens in taking positive steps toward change. Motivational interviewers help teens recognize their intrinsic ability to change. The following are some common categories of questions used in MI:
Open-Ended Questions to Encourage Self-Reflection
Open-ended questions serve various purposes in motivational interviewing. They are conversation starters that help the interviewer learn more about your teen. They allow your teen to guide the discussion because they do not require a particular answer. Your teen can talk about various experiences that have molded them into who they are today.
Primarily, open-ended questions are used to encourage self-reflection. They help teens analyze their behavior and thoughts to determine whether their behavior is helpful or not. Self-reflection is a crucial part of change. It allows teens to walk the therapist through their thought process during a specific scenario. If they find their behavior was unhelpful, they can start taking steps towards positive change.
Some common open-ended questions to encourage self-reflection include:
What qualities best describe you as a person?
What would others say are your biggest strengths? And do you think their assessment is correct?
What is an emotion that you feel you struggle to overcome, and what steps have you taken to manage said emotion?
What is one major challenge you have overcome, and what did it teach you about yourself?
What pattern in your life do you wish to understand better?
What is one feeling you find hardest to express and why?
How do you handle self-doubt, and what would you like to do better?
How can your family and friends support you when you feel overwhelmed?
How do you talk about yourself when you are going through a difficult situation?
How do you know when you’re truly ready to make a change in your life?
What do you think has held you back from achieving your goals?
Questions to Explore Ambivalence About Change
It is normal to have mixed feelings about change. However, having mixed feelings can hinder positive change. As a result, motivational interviewers use questions that help teens examine their feelings and help them change. When your teen is uncertain about the future, they may resist change. Motivational interviewing can help them embrace positive behavioral changes.
Some common questions to explore ambivalence include the following:
What makes you think that change is a good idea?
What will your life look like in five years if things remain the same?
What makes it difficult to change?
What worries you the most about making changes in your life?
What challenges do you think you will face as you explore change?
What will you gain if you move forward with making this change?
What do you think you will lose if you move forward with making this change?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how prepared are you to make this change?
What have you done in the past to ensure you change your behavior?
What do you like about your current situation?
Such questions encourage your teen to explore both sides of their emotions. They help them overcome ambivalence and choose the best option for them.
Scaling Questions to Measure Readiness for Change
Mental health and behavioral modification require teens who are willing to change. Unwillingness to change can hinder treatment since there is no internal motivation to change. Motivational interviewers may use certain techniques to nudge teens toward being motivated to change. Some scaling questions to measure readiness for change include the following:
How willing are you to change on a scale of 1-10?
Why did you choose that number? Why not a lower one?
What would it take to move one point higher on the scale?
How important is change for you on a scale of 1 – 10?
How much would your life be different if you increased the priority of change?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how confident are you that you will achieve your goals?
What strengths can you leverage to achieve change?
On a scale of 1 – 10, how committed are you right now to pursuing this change?
How can you increase your commitment level?
What support or resources do you require to increase your commitment level?
Questions to Explore Values and Goals
One core component of motivational interviewing is identifying discrepancies between their behavior and goals. Some common questions in this category include the following:
What values guide your life decisions?
When do you feel most proud of yourself? What does that tell you about what matters to you?
Who is someone you admire? What qualities do you admire about them?
What strengths do you have, and how can they help you change?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
What achievement excites you?
What obstacles prevent you from changing?
How do you respond to obstacles that hinder your progress?
Questions to Boost Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is one’s internal belief or confidence. It is their internal ability or motivation to change. Motivational interviewers support self-efficacy by motivating teens to believe in themselves. This guides them toward behavioral change. Some questions that support self-efficacy include the following:
Can you tell me about a time when you faced and overcame a challenge?
What is one thing you have achieved that you previously thought was impossible?
What have you learned from facing various difficulties?
What strengths have you leveraged to succeed in life?
How have you navigated barriers to change in the past?
Motivational Interviewing at NexStep Teen Academy
Motivational interviewing at NexStep Teen Academy is a crucial part of treatment. It helps teens tap into their intrinsic motivation to change. If your teen struggles with finding motivation to complete tasks, NexStep Teen Academy is here to help. MI can be a powerful approach to help teens modify unhelpful behavior. We use various treatment approaches, including MI, to treat mental health conditions. We also create tailored treatment plans to cater to your teen’s unique needs.
At NexStep Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on ensuring comprehensive mental health treatment for teens aged 12-17. Our facility is staffed by highly qualified mental health practitioners with experience working with teens. In addition to this, our facility is located in a tranquil environment where your teen can focus on treatment.
If your teen requires motivational interviewing, contact NexStep Teen Academy today to get them the help they need. Visit our website or contact us for more information.
Motivational interviewing can address various teen issues. These include substance use, academic stress, being unmotivated, and high-risk teen behavior.
Common Motivational Interviewing Questions for Teens
Table of Contents
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a popular technique used for behavioral modification. It focuses on helping teens recognize that they have the internal motivation to change. It uses a variety of techniques to assist teens in overcoming ambivalence and taking the right steps toward behavioral modification. It can help them overcome peer pressure and self-doubt.
This article will highlight common motivational interviewing questions. The questions will be categorized into groups depending on what they encourage teens to do. If you are considering motivational interviewing for your teen, contact NexStep Teen Academy today. We will be happy to walk you through our services and treatment options.
Teen Motivational Interviewing Questions
Motivational interviewing uses a variety of techniques to help teens modify unhelpful behaviors. Each technique seeks to assist teens in taking positive steps toward change. Motivational interviewers help teens recognize their intrinsic ability to change. The following are some common categories of questions used in MI:
Open-Ended Questions to Encourage Self-Reflection
Open-ended questions serve various purposes in motivational interviewing. They are conversation starters that help the interviewer learn more about your teen. They allow your teen to guide the discussion because they do not require a particular answer. Your teen can talk about various experiences that have molded them into who they are today.
Primarily, open-ended questions are used to encourage self-reflection. They help teens analyze their behavior and thoughts to determine whether their behavior is helpful or not. Self-reflection is a crucial part of change. It allows teens to walk the therapist through their thought process during a specific scenario. If they find their behavior was unhelpful, they can start taking steps towards positive change.
Some common open-ended questions to encourage self-reflection include:
Questions to Explore Ambivalence About Change
It is normal to have mixed feelings about change. However, having mixed feelings can hinder positive change. As a result, motivational interviewers use questions that help teens examine their feelings and help them change. When your teen is uncertain about the future, they may resist change. Motivational interviewing can help them embrace positive behavioral changes.
Some common questions to explore ambivalence include the following:
Such questions encourage your teen to explore both sides of their emotions. They help them overcome ambivalence and choose the best option for them.
Scaling Questions to Measure Readiness for Change
Mental health and behavioral modification require teens who are willing to change. Unwillingness to change can hinder treatment since there is no internal motivation to change. Motivational interviewers may use certain techniques to nudge teens toward being motivated to change. Some scaling questions to measure readiness for change include the following:
Questions to Explore Values and Goals
One core component of motivational interviewing is identifying discrepancies between their behavior and goals. Some common questions in this category include the following:
Questions to Boost Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is one’s internal belief or confidence. It is their internal ability or motivation to change. Motivational interviewers support self-efficacy by motivating teens to believe in themselves. This guides them toward behavioral change. Some questions that support self-efficacy include the following:
Motivational Interviewing at NexStep Teen Academy
Motivational interviewing at NexStep Teen Academy is a crucial part of treatment. It helps teens tap into their intrinsic motivation to change. If your teen struggles with finding motivation to complete tasks, NexStep Teen Academy is here to help. MI can be a powerful approach to help teens modify unhelpful behavior. We use various treatment approaches, including MI, to treat mental health conditions. We also create tailored treatment plans to cater to your teen’s unique needs.
At NexStep Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on ensuring comprehensive mental health treatment for teens aged 12-17. Our facility is staffed by highly qualified mental health practitioners with experience working with teens. In addition to this, our facility is located in a tranquil environment where your teen can focus on treatment.
If your teen requires motivational interviewing, contact NexStep Teen Academy today to get them the help they need. Visit our website or contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Motivational interviewing can address various teen issues. These include substance use, academic stress, being unmotivated, and high-risk teen behavior.
Yes, MI is effective in helping teens with substance use disorder. In fact, it was originally developed to help teens with substance use issues.
The key principles of MI include: