What does the term 'change talk' refer to?

• A. Statements made by clients that indicate a desire or intention to change.
• B. Statements expressing satisfaction with current behavior.
• C. Statements about past successes with no future intent.
• D. Random thoughts not related to behavior.

Answer: (A)

Change talk is the client’s language that signals a desire, ability, reason, need, commitment, or steps toward changing a behavior. This kind of expression directly shows willingness or intention to make a change, which is why it’s the best fit. In motivational interviewing, change talk is what clinicians look to elicit and reinforce because it predicts future action and helps guide the conversation toward concrete plans.

Statements expressing satisfaction with current behavior illustrate staying the same, so they’re sustain talk rather than change talk. Mentioning past successes without a plan or intent to change now doesn’t convey future action, so it isn’t change talk either. Random thoughts not related to behavior don’t address readiness to change.