Eliciting and Strengthening Change Talk


Looking Back Examples

  • Recall a time when things were going well. What’s changed?
  • What were things like before your [target behavior] began?
  • What are the differences between you now and years ago?

Looking Forward Examples

  • How would you like things to be in (5 years)?
  • If you woke up tomorrow and everything was better, what would you do?
  • What would happen if you don’t change?
  • How does (target behavior) fit into that ?
To elicit and strengthen change talk also consider using pros and cons, ask evocative questions, importance ruler, confidence ruler, request elaboration, query extremes.