Motivational Interviewing Skills for the Precontemplative Client

If you are like, “Precontemplative…what?” check out my blog post on Motivational Interviewing Stages of Change here?

In short, “precontemplation” refers to the stage of change when clients aren’t yet wanting to think or talk about change. It’s before they contemplate change.

Precontemplative statements or behaviors may look like

• no willingness to consider change
• blaming others for the problems they are experiencing 
• refusing to take responsibility for their dilemma or actions
• arguing against change

Working with clients who are stuck in precontemplation may be the hardest thing we do as helping professionals. 

Years ago I read that one definition of “denial” is “not yet ready.” I love thinking about the precontemplation stage as when the client is not ready, yet.

This makes me curious about what might help this client become more ready to consider change! And when I get curious, I think about what I can do differently as a provider!

Let’s consider working with the “not yet ready” client via a two-fold approach: our attitude, and our behaviors. I share some tips below!

The spirit of Motivational Interviewing is all about the attitude or heartset we bring to our clients. When working with folks who are “not yet ready” to change, the first thing to do is check yourself before you wreck yourself.

And remember, Motivational Interviewing & Stages of Change are not the same thing, but they overlap nicely!

Attitude Check:

• Check in with your own biases and desires for your client to change
• What will help you accept that this is where the client is right now? Their willingness and readiness to change is up to them.
• You can’t make people change. If you try, it damages the relationship and usually chases them away
• Access your compassion & positive regard for your client. Remember change is hard and they are well protected around it. There’s a reason (or many reasons!) they aren’t ready yet!

As someone who has loved the 12-step fellowship, I appreciate the reminder, “I am not another person’s higher power.” Sometimes, as helping professionals, we take too much of our clients’ burdens onto our shoulders. Their dilemmas are not ours to carry.

Tips for Working with the Not-Yet-Ready

• Focus on cultivating the relationship to keep them engaged
• Get deeply curious about who they are, their values and beliefs, what is truly most important to them
• Ask them what they are willing to talk about or change
• Don’t argue for change! If you do, they are likely to argue against change (unfortunately this strengthens their resolve NOT to change!)
• Instead, try asking what benefits they might see to change, and don’t push if they aren’t yet ready!
• Find ways to support autonomy. Recognize areas theyYou could say out loud, “It is up to you.”
• Stay out of your Fixing Reflex. Don’t give advice, warn, threaten, or argue for change. 
• If you have a concern, ask permission to share it first! Then, after you share your concern, ask what they make of your concern. Again, don’t push!

If you love these tips and want a handout, I made one for you! 

Although Motivational Interviewing stages of change are not one in the same, we can use a lot of motivational interviewing skills with the precontemplative client!

Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: When a client is not yet ready to change, instead of getting stuck in what we can’t do, consider what you can! First, check your attitude toward the client and see how you can increase your compassion and acceptance. Next, consider acknowledging their autonomy and exploring what they are willing to talk about. Finally, if your client is up for it, explore what the benefits of making that change might be if they decided to embark on that journey. Good luck!

Watch my full video here!