OARS Toolkit
What does the “O” in OARS stand for?
What is Open-ended questions
A youth says, “I want to stop getting in trouble.” Is this change talk or sustain talk?
What is Change Talk
MI is built on three key elements: collaboration, evocation, and what?
What is Autonomy
Turn this into an open-ended question: “Are you okay?”
What is “What’s been going on for you lately?”
A youth says, “I hate school.” What’s a good MI reflection?
What is “School feels really frustrating for you.”
What MI skill involves repeating back what the youth says to show understanding?
What is Reflective listening
What type of MI question helps evoke change talk?
What is “What would be different if you made that change?”
True or False: MI is about convincing someone to change.
What is False
Turn this into an open-ended question: “Did you finish your homework?”
What is “How did homework go for you this week?”
A youth says, “I don’t want to talk.” What’s a good MI response?
What is “That’s okay. I’m here when you’re ready.”
Give an example of an affirmation for a youth who says, “I’m trying not to fight anymore.”
What is “That shows a lot of strength and self-control.”
A youth says, “I don’t care what happens.” Is this change talk or sustain talk?
What is Sustain Talk
What does “evocation” mean in MI?
What is Drawing out the youth’s own ideas and motivation
Turn this into an open-ended question: “Do you want help?”
What is “What kind of support would be helpful right now?”
A youth says, “I always mess things up.” What’s a good MI affirmation?
What is “It takes courage to talk about that.”
What does the “S” in OARS stand for?
What is Summarizing
What’s a good MI response to: “I mess up all the time”?
What is “You’re noticing patterns that you want to change.”
Why is autonomy important in youth counseling?
What is It respects the youth’s right to make their own choices
Turn this into an open-ended question: “Are you angry?”
What is “What emotions are coming up for you right now?”
A youth says, “I don’t care anymore.” What’s a good MI-style question?
What is “What’s been making things feel so heavy lately?”
Which OARS skill helps reinforce the youth’s own words about change?
What is Summarizing change talk
What’s the goal of evoking change talk in MI?
What is To help the youth explore their own reasons for change
What’s a good MI-style response when a youth says, “You don’t get it”?
What is “Help me understand—what’s it like for you?
0Turn this into an open-ended question: “Is everything fine at home?”
What is “What’s home life been like for you recently?”
A youth says, “I want to change, but I don’t know how.” What’s a good MI response?
What is “You’re already thinking about change—let’s explore what might help.”