OARS: Affirmations! A good MI training differentiates between cheerleading and affirming.
Do YOU have an inner cheerleader?
I know I do!
That inner cheerleader loves to throw my hands in the air and clap and wave as I holler, “YOU GOT THIS! GO TEAM!! Woohoooo!!!”
Cheering is awesome! Sometimes we need a cheerleader. I sure appreciate having people in my court when I’m trying to do something big and important.
(Yes…a “but” is coming)
But affirming in Motivational Interviewing is different from cheerleading.
A good MI training will differentiate these.
Cheerleading shows up when we see a need, and want to help someone get over what might be preventing progress. Cheering may be words of encouragement or praise.
(And gosh, if we are praising clients, what a risky dynamic THAT sets up. “I am proud of you when you _____” infers “I am not proud of you when you_____”)…
Affirmations are a bit different!
Affirmations highlight a person’s strengths, abilities, and efforts. Affirmations typically start with “You” as the beginning of the sentence.
“You are determined” vs. “I think you are determined”- they land differently!
Affirmations are about them, and do not depend on us.
Taking a MI training will help you practice the difference between cheerleading and affirming.
Quiz- Affirmation or Cheer?
“You are doing so well!”
“You have applied yourself and worked so hard to make this change.”
“You are an awesome mom.”
“You are someone who cares deeply for your children, and is willing to fight to keep them.”
“You are rocking sobriety!”
“You have great determination to create a different life for yourself.”
(Answers: Cheer, Affirmation, Cheer, Affirmation, Cheer, Affirmation)
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: Put on your strengths magnifying glass, and set aside those Pom Poms! What are the underlying strengths your client is displaying? Consider phrasing an affirmation beginning with “you” as you reflect and highlight that person’s strengths.
Check out our MI training platform! We offer beginners through advanced MI training! Click here to learn more
Related Posts
Could You Use a Hug? Affirmations and Motivational Interviewing
In Motivational Interviewing, affirmations are like ‘hugs with words.’I’m kinda thinking we could all use a good hug right now. I sure could. Helping professionals are TAXED right now!Affirmations are just one of the ‘micro-skills’ of MI, OARS (OARS stands for:...
Related Posts
Just what is the relationship between Stages of Change & Motivational Interviewing
Many people confuse the Stages of Change with Motivational Interviewing. They aren’t the same thing, but they work super nicely together. (Fun fact, they both came out around the same time in the early 1980’s!)The Stages of Change, also called the transtheoretical...
Let’s Learn Together!
Hi, I’m Hillary Bolter. At MI Center for Change, Motivational Interviewing is our passion. Motivational Interviewing will help you become more effective and efficient as you support clients’ change!
