OARS stands for what in Motivational Interviewing?

• A. Observational assessment, Risk, Action, Support
• B. None of the above
• C. Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries
• D. Organic, Applied, Reactive, Systemic

Answer: (C)

In Motivational Interviewing, the four core communication skills you use to engage clients and guide change are Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflective listening, and Summaries. Open-ended questions invite the client to talk in their own words, sparking exploration of values, goals, and ambivalence rather than just obtaining yes/no answers. Affirmations recognize the client’s strengths and efforts, which builds trust and self-efficacy. Reflective listening involves restating or paraphrasing what the client has said (including feelings) to show understanding and to help the client hear their own motivations more clearly. Summaries gather and reflect back key points from the conversation, highlight change talk, and create a smooth transition to next steps.

These skills together keep the dialogue collaborative, evoke the client’s own reasons for change, and honor their autonomy, which is why this option best fits what OARS stands for in Motivational Interviewing. The other options don’t align with these four foundational skills.