Rowing with OARS

Rowing with OARS (with Observer)

'''Abstract''': The counselor practices how to use OARS directively, to move toward a particular change goal.

'''Overview''': Once one is comfortable using OARS in a nondirective manner, the next task is to learn how to use selective questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries to evoke change talk, with particular emphasis on exploring the importance of change.

'''Guidelines''': Work in groups of four: One speaker, one counselor, and two observers at a time. The speaker’s topic is “One thing in my life (or about myself) that I would like to change.” This instruction is to start with a topic about which the person already has some desire to change, and therefore soliciting change talk should be both easier and natural.

The counselor’s task is to use OARS to evoke change talk. You may assign particular methods to use (e.g., the Taste of MI questions, change rulers, etc.) or just allow the person tochoose from the menu. The counselor should refrain from advice-giving, and stick to the OARS, being careful to offer more reflections than questions.

One observer uses an OARS sheet and records occurrences of each of these responses. The usual procedure is to make hash marks next to O, A, R, and S as these occur, and also to write down what the observer regarded to be particularly good examples of each.

The second observer listens for change talk from the speaker. You can assign this coder to work in various ways, such as (1) simple counting of change talk statements, (2) placing hash marks in D A R N and C categories, (3) writing down particularly good examples of change talk, (4) rating the strength of change talk, (5) also tracking sustain talk, or (6) also noting what the counselor did right before each change talk statement..

The counselor may pause at any point in the conversation to consult with the observers.

Allow the conversation to proceed for about 10 minutes, and then give a 5-minute warning.

At this point the counselor should (1) offer a bouquet summary of the speaker’s change talk, (2) ask for the speaker’s reactions to the conversation, and then (3) ask the observers to tell what they observed. The observers should use their coding sheets to summarize their observations, and mention particularly good examples that they noted.

'''Notes''': This is quite a complex exercise, and benefits from the trainer(s) circulating, observing, and coaching. The exercise can be repeated if desired, so that each participant gets to play each role. As a variation, one or two rounds could be done as Rowing for Confidence (below).

Contributed by: David Rosengren and Bill Miller