In this episode of MI for Change, we zero in on the core aim of Motivational Interviewing: eliciting change talk—and distinguishing it from sustain talk (arguments for the status quo).
You’ll learn:
What counts as change talk (vocalizations toward change) vs. sustain talk (arguments against change).
How to categorize change talk with DARNCAT:
Desire • Ability • Reason • Need • Commitment • Action • Taking Steps.
A practical differential attention approach: reinforce change talk, acknowledge sustain talk without overfeeding it.
A scaling exercise (1–10) that shows how one question can evoke sustain talk—and a better question can unlock change talk.
Simple ways to measure progress (record, tally change vs. sustain talk as baseline and after 4 weeks).
Monica shares real-world phrasing you can steal for sessions with parents, clients, and supervisees, plus a quick template for turning “Why not higher?” / “Why not lower?” into a reliable catalyst for motivation.
Subscribe for upcoming episodes on softening sustain talk and shaping conversations that lead to action.

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