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    Change talk

    改变语句

    Concept

    In Motivational interviewing, change talk is any client speech that favors movement toward a particular change goal. Its counterpart, sustain talk, is speech that favors the status quo.[1][2]

    Preparatory change talk DARN

    Motivation, without stating intent

    Mobilizing change talk CAT

    Expresses or implies action

    Sustain talk

    Select a card for its definition.
    Two groups of change talk: preparatory (DARN) expresses motivation, mobilizing (CAT) expresses or implies action. Point at or tap parts of the figure for details
    Two groups of change talk: preparatory (DARN) expresses motivation, mobilizing (CAT) expresses or implies action. Save as image (PNG)

    Key points

    • Preparatory change talk (DARN) expresses motivation without stating intent: desire (I want), ability (I could), reasons (if I did, then…), and need (I have to).[1][2]
    • Mobilizing change talk (CAT) expresses or implies action: commitment (I will), activation (I’m willing, short of a promise), and taking steps (I already did something).[1][2]
    • MI theory proposes two active parts: a relational one (empathy and collaborative spirit) and a technical one, the counselor’s selective evoking and reinforcing of change talk.[3]
    • In one study, commitment language predicted later drug-use outcomes, and a rising pattern of commitment across the session was linked to abstinence.[3]

    An example

    Talking about drinking, Jay says, “I’d like to cut back” (desire), “I could probably skip weekends” (ability), and “I’ve already gone two days without a drink this week” (taking steps). The listener reflects these statements back and invites him to say more.

    Misreadings and limits

    It is often treated as a script for getting people to say the right thing, or as a case of “more is better.” The evidence is not that simple: early studies found the amount of change talk did not predict outcomes, and a later study found that change talk and sustain talk each predicted drinking outcomes independently.[3]

    Sources

    1. 1 Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press. View source
    2. 2 Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (2024). Glossary of motivational interviewing terms (English/Spanish/Portuguese). Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT). View source
    3. 3 Miller, W. R., & Rose, G. S. (2009). Toward a theory of motivational interviewing. American Psychologist, 64(6), 527–537. doi:10.1037/a0016830
    4. 4 Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (n.d.). 动机式访谈法：帮助人们改变（郭道寰、王韶宇、江嘉伟 译）. 华东理工大学出版社，ISBN 978-7-5628-3755-8. Chinese edition of [1]; the Chinese terms on this page follow its glossary.

    Last checked against sources: October 26, 2026