Step 04: Explore discrepancy

Once barriers have been accepted and discussed, it’s important to point out how these conflict with the desired health outcomes. For example, the health benefits of stopping smoking outweigh the enjoyment of social smoking. This means teasing out ways in which current unhealthy behaviours conflict with the wish to be “good”. Help the customer focus on the negative aspects of their current situation and the positives of making change.

Step 05: Support self-efficacy

Work with the customer to build their belief that change is possible for them and to work out a strategy to achieve it, even if previous efforts have been unsuccessful. It’s important to reinforce that there are multiple ways to achieve change and that there is no one right way. MI is about working together to find the best and most appropriate course of action for their individual circumstances.