OARS in Motivational Interviewing: 25 Practical Examples You Can Use Today

OARS is the backbone of Motivational Interviewing—and the foundation of effective coaching conversations. This four-part framework gives you a reliable structure for creating conversations that inspire change.

But knowing what OARS stands for isn't the same as being able to use it fluidly in conversation. That requires seeing many examples and practicing them yourself.

In this guide, you'll find 25 practical OARS examples organized by component, with context for when and how to use each one.

What Does OARS Stand For?

Before diving into examples, let's clarify each component:

O - Open-ended Questions

Questions that invite exploration and can't be answered with a simple yes or no. They encourage clients to reflect and elaborate.

A - Affirmations

Statements that recognize client strengths, efforts, and values. Not empty praise, but genuine acknowledgment of what's working.

R - Reflections

Statements (not questions) that mirror back what the client has said, demonstrating understanding and inviting deeper exploration.

S - Summaries

Bringing together what the client has shared, showing you've been listening and helping them hear their own story.

Open-ended Questions: 8 Examples That Invite Exploration

Open-ended questions are your primary tool for helping clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and motivations. They begin conversations, deepen them, and keep the focus on what matters to the client.

Example 1: Opening a Session

"What would be most helpful for us to focus on today?"

Why it works: Puts the client in the driver's seat and signals that their priorities matter.

Example 2: Exploring Importance

"What's important to you about making this change?"

Why it works: Connects behavior change to deeper values and intrinsic motivation.

Example 3: Understanding Barriers

"What gets in the way when you try to follow your eating plan?"

Why it works: Opens exploration without assuming you know the answer.

Example 4: Eliciting Change Talk

"If you did decide to start exercising regularly, what might be the benefits?"

Why it works: Invites the client to articulate their own reasons for change.

Example 5: Exploring Ambivalence

"What are some of the good things about your current routine? And what are some of the not-so-good things?"

Why it works: Acknowledges that ambivalence is normal and explores both sides.

Example 6: Building on Strengths

"You mentioned you successfully quit smoking for three months last year. What helped you during that time?"

Why it works: Focuses on past success to inform future strategy.

Example 7: Looking Forward

"How would you like things to be different a year from now?"

Why it works: Helps clients articulate a vision that can guide their choices.

Example 8: Deepening Understanding

"What else?"

Why it works: Simple but powerful—often the best insights come after the initial answer.

Affirmations: 6 Examples That Build Confidence

Affirmations are genuine statements that recognize client strengths, efforts, and positive qualities. They're not cheerleading or empty praise—they're specific acknowledgments of what you observe.

Example 1: Recognizing Effort

"You've been showing up consistently, even when it's been hard. That takes real commitment."

Why it works: Acknowledges the struggle while affirming the effort.

Example 2: Highlighting Strengths

"I've noticed that you're really thoughtful about how your choices affect your family. That tells me a lot about your values."

Why it works: Connects behavior to character and values.

Example 3: Affirming Courage

"It takes courage to be honest about where you're struggling. Not everyone can do that."

Why it works: Validates vulnerability and encourages continued openness.

Example 4: Recognizing Progress

"A month ago, you weren't sure you could go a single day without soda. Now you've done a whole week. That's significant."

Why it works: Provides concrete evidence of capability.

Example 5: Acknowledging Wisdom

"You seem to know yourself really well. You can predict what situations are going to be hardest for you."

Why it works: Positions the client as the expert on themselves.

Example 6: Affirming Values

"It's clear that your health is important to you. You wouldn't be here otherwise."

Why it works: Assumes positive motivation, which often helps clients step into it.

Reflections: 7 Examples That Deepen Understanding

Reflections are statements—not questions—that demonstrate you've heard and understood what the client said. Good reflections go beyond the words to capture the meaning and feeling underneath.

Example 1: Simple Reflection

Client: "I've been so stressed at work that I haven't had time to think about exercise." Reflection: "Work has been taking all your energy lately." Why it works: Validates their experience without adding or interpreting.

Example 2: Feeling Reflection

Client: "Every time I try to eat healthy, I last about a week and then I'm back to my old habits." Reflection: "It's discouraging to put in effort and feel like you keep ending up back at square one." Why it works: Names the emotion they may not have explicitly stated.

Example 3: Amplified Reflection

Client: "I guess I could probably try to drink a little less." Reflection: "Reducing your drinking seems completely impossible right now." Why it works: Gently overstates the negative side, which often prompts the client to argue for change.

Example 4: Double-Sided Reflection

Client: "I know I should exercise, but I just hate it so much." Reflection: "On one hand, you recognize the value of exercise for your health. And on the other hand, you really don't enjoy it." Why it works: Acknowledges both sides of the ambivalence without judgment.

Example 5: Meaning Reflection

Client: "My doctor told me I need to lose 30 pounds or I might end up on medication." Reflection: "Being told you need to make changes for your health feels like a lot of pressure." Why it works: Reflects the underlying experience, not just the content.

Example 6: Reframing Reflection

Client: "I failed again. I only lasted three days before I had a cigarette." Reflection: "You made it three days—that's three days of practice that's building your ability to quit." Why it works: Offers a different perspective while staying connected to their experience.

Example 7: Continuing the Paragraph

Client: "I've been thinking about starting to walk in the mornings..." Reflection: "...and you're wondering if this might be the change that actually sticks." Why it works: Adds what the client might be thinking but hasn't said yet, inviting confirmation or correction.

Summaries: 4 Examples That Tie It Together

Summaries bring together what the client has shared, demonstrating that you've been listening carefully and helping them hear their own story.

Example 1: Collecting Summary

"So let me make sure I've got this. You've tried several diets over the past few years—some worked for a while, others didn't. You're frustrated with the cycle of losing and regaining weight. But you're here because your energy has been really low and you want to feel more like yourself again. Did I capture that right?"

Why it works: Shows comprehensive listening and invites correction.

Example 2: Linking Summary

"Earlier you mentioned that being around for your kids is your main motivation. And just now you were talking about how hard it is to find time for yourself. I'm wondering if those two things are connected—like maybe taking care of yourself IS part of being there for your kids."

Why it works: Makes connections the client might not have seen.

Example 3: Transitional Summary

"So we've talked about what's been working with your morning routine and what's been challenging about the evenings. It sounds like you have some good strategies in place for part of the day. What would you like to explore about making evenings easier?"

Why it works: Wraps up one topic and opens the next.

Example 4: Ending Summary with Change Talk

"Let me see if I can pull together what we've discussed today. You came in feeling stuck and frustrated. As we talked, you identified that your main barrier is the stress at work that leaves you exhausted. But you also remembered that walking used to help you manage stress, and you're curious whether starting small—maybe just 10 minutes—could be sustainable. You said you're going to try walking during your lunch break three times this week. How does that sound as a summary?"

Why it works: Ends with the client's commitment, reinforcing their own words.

Putting OARS Together in Conversation

The real power of OARS comes from weaving all four elements together naturally. Here's an example of how that might flow:

Coach: "What would be most helpful for us to talk about today?" [Open-ended question] Client: "I don't know. I feel like I should be further along by now. I keep making the same mistakes." Coach: "It's frustrating to feel like you're not making progress as quickly as you'd hoped." [Reflection] Client: "Yeah. I mean, I've done some things right. I've been pretty consistent with meal planning." Coach: "You've been consistent with meal planning—that's not easy to maintain." [Affirmation] "What's helped you keep that going?" [Open-ended question] Client: "I guess I just got into a routine. Sunday afternoons, I plan out the week." Coach: "So having a set routine makes it easier. I wonder if something similar could work for other areas." [Reflection + gentle suggestion]

The Gap Between Knowing and Doing

You now have 25 examples of OARS in action. But here's the challenge: reading examples is very different from using them in real-time conversation.

In a live coaching session, you have to:

• •Listen deeply to what your client is saying
• •Identify whether an open question, affirmation, reflection, or summary is most appropriate
• •Formulate your response in seconds
• •Deliver it naturally, without sounding scripted

This is a skill that develops through practice. And most coaches don't get enough of it.