I magine with me that I am your client. You are in the chair over there.

Imagine with me that I am your client. You are in the chair over there. We have covered informed consent, and at this point you are aware that I indicated feeling depressed and alcohol as the reasons I’m here.

Client: Well, I guess I’m here because my family is concerned about me.

Client: My husband says I’m not the same person I was before.

Client: I feel like I can’t get out of bed. On days that I do, it’s all I can do to get through the day.

Client: Well, yeah, I might drink to manage how I feel.

Client: Yeah, I seem to be crying a lot lately. And I can’t control it. 

Client: I feel bad because my kids notice that I don’t do what I used to. I have a tough time getting to their activities.

Client: I get by at work…but, really, I’m feeling like I can’t keep up.

Client: I wish I was the same person I was before. I can’t get back to that.

Client: I guess I’m having problems in all areas, but some days I think I can manage.

Client: Other days I just wish I could, honestly, drink and then sleep all day. I’m stress and that’s the best way to deal with things. And then I don’t feel—I don’t realize how down I am.

The statements above you will show your that you can use OARS skills from Motivational Interviewing

Imagine we are in a second session with the client that has been portrayed in the presentations. It is time to test your Motivational Interviewing OARS skills. 

What might you say to open the session? Come up with TWO possibilities and record both.

Imagine I’ve responded, and , do and say what you think would be appropriate for each of these statements, keeping in mind you should be focused on OARS skills for this particular video. Come up with TWO responses to each client statement. The two responses do not have to show the same skills

Client: I guess I’m having problems in all areas, but some days I think I can manage.

Client: But, I told you last time how my family wanted me here. I think maybe I’ve realized I need to be here.

Client: I don’t want things to stay the way they are, but I don’t know what to do.

Client: Perhaps there’s something I can change, but I’m scared. 

Client: Yeah, I’m afraid that I’ll feel just as bad if I stop drinking and won’t know what else to do to cope.