What does the acronym OARS stand for in Motivational Interviewing?

The acronym OARS in Motivational Interviewing stands for Open questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summaries. Each component of OARS plays a crucial role in fostering a collaborative and supportive dialogue between the practitioner and the client.

Open questions encourage clients to share more about their thoughts and feelings, allowing for deeper exploration of their issues and motivations. This is essential in creating a space where clients feel comfortable expressing themselves. Affirmations are used to acknowledge the client's strengths and efforts, helping to build rapport and instill confidence. Reflections involve paraphrasing or mirroring what the client has said, which demonstrates active listening and helps the client gain insight into their own thoughts. Finally, Summaries are useful for consolidating the information shared and ensuring that both the practitioner and client are on the same page, reinforcing important points discussed during the session.

Together, these elements foster an environment that promotes change, self-discovery, and empowerment, which are foundational to the principles of Motivational Interviewing.