Common Motivational Interviewing Questions for Teens
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Teen motivational interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic approach that encourages behavioral change. It helps boost our motivation to make changes in our lives. MI creates the perfect environment for us to grow into the best version of ourselves and helps teens benefit from self-motivation rather than external pressure. Change from within is more beneficial than one that stems from external pressure. Motivational interviewing questions for teens use empathy, compassion, and positive thinking to help teens feel understood and validated. It can be used to help with teen depression treatment, anxiety, and self-image issues.
This article will explore common motivational interviewing questions teens might encounter during treatment sessions. If you are considering MI for your teen, contact Nexus Teen Academy. We will walk you through our treatment approach and answer any questions that may arise.
Common Teen Motivational Interviewing Questions
MI practitioners may ask teens diverse questions to boost their internal motivation. These motivational interviewing questions for teens can fall into several categories. These include the following:
Open-Ended Questions to Build Rapport
Open-ended questions are the perfect conversation starters. They break the ice and help to build rapport. The purpose of open-ended questions is to create an environment where teens can share their thoughts openly. Such questions help teens share deeper insights into their feelings. They encourage teens to be as descriptive as possible to help the therapist gain an understanding of their emotional struggles.
Closed-ended questions can be limiting. They offer a few choices and do not encourage teens to explain their thoughts. They often require yes-or-no answers.
Some examples of open-ended questions include the following:
“What’s been on your mind lately?”
“What’s something you enjoy doing that makes you happy?”
“What would you like to accomplish this year?”
These questions encourage teens to delve deeper into their memories and feelings. They also give teens time to think about scenarios that best fit the question. Closed-ended questions can limit your teen’s answers.
Questions to Explore Values and Goals
During a motivational interview, teens may be asked questions about their values and goals. This encourages teens to self-reflect and strengthen their internal motivation. When asked about their goals and values, teens can reflect on their current behavior. They can analyze whether their current behavior aligns with what they want to achieve in life. If their behavior does not align with their goals, they can improve it. Questions about goals give teens a nudge in the right direction. They also make change feel more neutral rather than an uphill task.
Some common motivational interviewing questions for teens about values and goals include the following:
“What qualities come to mind when you think about the kind of person you want to become?”
“What is something you have always wanted to try?”
“What are your goals in life?”
“What changes would you make to help you achieve your dreams?”
“Who do you admire the most?”
“What impact do you want to have on the world?”
“What’s important to you in life right now?”
“How do you see yourself in five years?”
“What do you value most about your relationships with friends or family?”
Questions to Identify and Address Ambivalence
Ambivalence can hinder change. It prevents teens from making changes because they keep second-guessing and have mixed feelings about change. Many teens struggle to make decisions because they are unsure about the outcomes. MI can be beneficial in helping teens embrace change because it helps them identify ambivalence. It explores the discrepancy between a teen’s current behavior and their goals. Once teens recognize their distorted thoughts, they are motivated to change.
Some MI questions for teens to help identify ambivalence include the following:
“What are the pros and cons of making this change?”
“What’s holding you back from taking that next step?”
“What would happen if nothing changed in this situation?”
“What do you like about your current situation or habit? And what do you not like about it?”
“How does what you’re doing now fit with the kind of person you want to be?”
“What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t make a change? What’s the best that could happen if you do?”
What’s one small thing you could do differently this week to move closer to what you want?”
Questions to Foster Confidence and Self-Efficacy
Teenagers may be unable or unwilling to change because they lack confidence. This lack of confidence reduces internal motivation and makes it hard for teens to change. MI can help improve a teen’s confidence by assisting them to focus on their strengths. When teens know they have certain strengths, it boosts their confidence and self-worth.
Additionally, self-efficacy—the belief that one can achieve certain outcomes — can help teens change. MI enhances a teen’s self-efficacy and boosts their intrinsic motivation.
Some common teen MI questions that foster confidence and self-efficacy include the following:
“What personal strengths have helped you get through difficult times before?”
“What are you proud of accomplishing, even if it seems small?”
“What’s one thing you’ve done in the past that shows you can handle change?”
“What’s a challenge you’ve faced before that initially seemed impossible but you managed to work through?”
“What strategies could you use to stay on track if things get tough? What’s worked for you in the past?”
“What strengths do you have that could help you in this situation?”
“What support do you need to achieve this goal?”
Strategies for Effective Motivational Interviewing with Teens
MI practitioners need to use several strategies to make the interview productive and effective, including:
Avoiding Judgment and Criticism
Judgment and criticism can reduce a teen’s motivation to change. Practitioners need to create a safe and secure environment where teens can share their ideas openly without fear of judgment. Skills like active listening, open communication, compassion, and using open-ended questions can encourage teens to share their ideas at a much deeper level. Practitioners should avoid using negative language during interviews.
Using Validating Language
Practitioners should use affirming and validating language during interviews. Recognizing a teen’s strengths and efforts can go a long way toward making them feel heard and understood.
Addressing Resistance
Resistance is a common occurrence in teen mental health treatment. Teens resist change because they are skeptical about treatment. Some believe that they do not need MI. It is crucial that practitioners address resistance immediately. They should be compassionate and use empathy to help teens recognize the benefits of MI.
Teen Motivational Interviewing at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier mental health treatment facility in Arizona. We provide teen motivational interviewing as a part of our treatment for teens. Our comprehensive treatment combines evidence-based approaches like teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and holistic approaches to ensure thorough mental health treatment.
We offer motivational interviewing to help teens with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. For more information, contact us today or visit our website. We will be happy to guide you on other aspects of motivational interviewing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is motivational interviewing (MI)?
Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that helps teens change their behavior. It focuses on boosting a teen’s internal motivation to change.
What are the four principles of motivational interviewing?
The four principles of motivational interviewing are:
Express empathy: Empathy builds trust and creates a safe and secure environment for teens to share their ideas openly.
Develop discrepancy: MI helps teens identify discrepancies between their behavior and goals.
Roll with resistance: MI encourages practitioners to explore resistance collaboratively with clients.
Support self-efficacy: MI strengthens internal motivations that lead to positive change.
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC and Nexus Teen Academy
Five honest questions. You’ll get a clear read on where things stand, and a licensed counselor can walk you through the next step. Private, no obligation.
Your reading
Here’s where things stand
If your teen is in immediate danger, call or text 988 or 911 now.
Common Motivational Interviewing Questions for Teens
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr-Unquera, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On March 1, 2025
Table of Contents
Teen motivational interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic approach that encourages behavioral change. It helps boost our motivation to make changes in our lives. MI creates the perfect environment for us to grow into the best version of ourselves and helps teens benefit from self-motivation rather than external pressure. Change from within is more beneficial than one that stems from external pressure. Motivational interviewing questions for teens use empathy, compassion, and positive thinking to help teens feel understood and validated. It can be used to help with teen depression treatment, anxiety, and self-image issues.
This article will explore common motivational interviewing questions teens might encounter during treatment sessions. If you are considering MI for your teen, contact Nexus Teen Academy. We will walk you through our treatment approach and answer any questions that may arise.
Common Teen Motivational Interviewing Questions
MI practitioners may ask teens diverse questions to boost their internal motivation. These motivational interviewing questions for teens can fall into several categories. These include the following:
Open-Ended Questions to Build Rapport
Open-ended questions are the perfect conversation starters. They break the ice and help to build rapport. The purpose of open-ended questions is to create an environment where teens can share their thoughts openly. Such questions help teens share deeper insights into their feelings. They encourage teens to be as descriptive as possible to help the therapist gain an understanding of their emotional struggles.
Closed-ended questions can be limiting. They offer a few choices and do not encourage teens to explain their thoughts. They often require yes-or-no answers.
Some examples of open-ended questions include the following:
These questions encourage teens to delve deeper into their memories and feelings. They also give teens time to think about scenarios that best fit the question. Closed-ended questions can limit your teen’s answers.
Questions to Explore Values and Goals
During a motivational interview, teens may be asked questions about their values and goals. This encourages teens to self-reflect and strengthen their internal motivation. When asked about their goals and values, teens can reflect on their current behavior. They can analyze whether their current behavior aligns with what they want to achieve in life. If their behavior does not align with their goals, they can improve it. Questions about goals give teens a nudge in the right direction. They also make change feel more neutral rather than an uphill task.
Some common motivational interviewing questions for teens about values and goals include the following:
Questions to Identify and Address Ambivalence
Ambivalence can hinder change. It prevents teens from making changes because they keep second-guessing and have mixed feelings about change. Many teens struggle to make decisions because they are unsure about the outcomes. MI can be beneficial in helping teens embrace change because it helps them identify ambivalence. It explores the discrepancy between a teen’s current behavior and their goals. Once teens recognize their distorted thoughts, they are motivated to change.
Some MI questions for teens to help identify ambivalence include the following:
Questions to Foster Confidence and Self-Efficacy
Teenagers may be unable or unwilling to change because they lack confidence. This lack of confidence reduces internal motivation and makes it hard for teens to change. MI can help improve a teen’s confidence by assisting them to focus on their strengths. When teens know they have certain strengths, it boosts their confidence and self-worth.
Additionally, self-efficacy—the belief that one can achieve certain outcomes — can help teens change. MI enhances a teen’s self-efficacy and boosts their intrinsic motivation.
Some common teen MI questions that foster confidence and self-efficacy include the following:
Strategies for Effective Motivational Interviewing with Teens
MI practitioners need to use several strategies to make the interview productive and effective, including:
Avoiding Judgment and Criticism
Judgment and criticism can reduce a teen’s motivation to change. Practitioners need to create a safe and secure environment where teens can share their ideas openly without fear of judgment. Skills like active listening, open communication, compassion, and using open-ended questions can encourage teens to share their ideas at a much deeper level. Practitioners should avoid using negative language during interviews.
Using Validating Language
Practitioners should use affirming and validating language during interviews. Recognizing a teen’s strengths and efforts can go a long way toward making them feel heard and understood.
Addressing Resistance
Resistance is a common occurrence in teen mental health treatment. Teens resist change because they are skeptical about treatment. Some believe that they do not need MI. It is crucial that practitioners address resistance immediately. They should be compassionate and use empathy to help teens recognize the benefits of MI.
Teen Motivational Interviewing at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier mental health treatment facility in Arizona. We provide teen motivational interviewing as a part of our treatment for teens. Our comprehensive treatment combines evidence-based approaches like teen cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and holistic approaches to ensure thorough mental health treatment.
We offer motivational interviewing to help teens with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. For more information, contact us today or visit our website. We will be happy to guide you on other aspects of motivational interviewing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that helps teens change their behavior. It focuses on boosting a teen’s internal motivation to change.
The four principles of motivational interviewing are: