Open-Ended Questions (OARS)

A basic MI skill. Open-ended questions invite the client to tell their story in their own words, without steering them in a particular direction. They open space for inquiry and let the client speak more than the therapist (70/30). Unlike closed questions, open ones launch the conversation about change and help uncover the client's values, desires, and meanings.

Step-by-step guide

1. Frame the question so that it cannot be answered in one word ("tell me", "describe", "what do you think", "how do you see")
2. Ask the question and go quiet — give the client space
3. Listen carefully to what in the answer counts as change talk
4. Reflect what you heard, then ask the next open question
5. Avoid strings of several questions in a row — one question, one pause

When to use

• At the start of a session, for building contact
• When you need to understand the client's world without interpretation
• For evoking change talk in the evoking stage
• When the client has closed down or gives one-word answers

Key phrases

Follow-up questions

Alternative phrasings