Topic 1: DARNCAT

There should be a conscious effort to resolve ambivalence and reach a collaborative goal. Hence the Change talk is critical. “In MI, your main goal is to evoke change talk and minimize evoking or reinforcing sustain talk in counselling sessions. The acronym for change talk in MI is DARN-CAT.

  • Desire to change: This is expressed in statements about wanting something different— “I want to find an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting” or “I hope to start going to AA.”
  • Ability to change: This is expressed in statements about self-perception of capability— “I could start going to AA.”
  • Reasons to change: This is expressed as arguments for change—”I’d probably learn more about recovery if I went to AA” or “Going to AA would help me feel more supported.”
  • Need to change: This is expressed in client statements about importance or urgency—”I have to stop drinking” or “I need to find a way to get my drinking under control.”
  • Commitment: This is expressed as a promise to change—”I swear I will go to an AA meeting this year” or “I guarantee that I will start AA by next month.”
  • Activation: This is expressed in statements showing movement toward action—”I’m ready to go to my first AA meeting.”
  • Taking steps: This is expressed in statements indicating that the client has already done something to change—”I went to an AA meeting” or “I avoided a party where friends would be doing drugs.”

PREPARATORY CHANGE TALK: DARN

Desire: A wanting, wishing or willing. They do not express specific reasons, but express a general level of desire.
Ex. I want, I wish, I (would) like, I am motivated to, I (would) enjoy.
I would like to stick to my medication regimen.
I really want to lose weight.

Ability: Personal perceptions of capability or possibility of change. Generally express a level of ability.
Ex. I can, I could, I am able to, it’s possible for me.
I could quit drinking.
I can stop drinking because I have the willpower.

Reasons: Specifies a particular rationale, basis, incentive, justification, or motivate for making the target behavior change.
If I stick to taking my medication, then I would have better control over my diabetes.
If I stop smoking, I will stop putting family members’ health at risk.
Need: Necessity, urgency, or requirement (for change). Usually, these statements do not include specific reasons but express a general level of need.
Ex. I need, I must, I have to, I’ve got to, I can’t keep…
I’ve got to quit smoking.
I can’t keep smoking crack.

MOBILIZING CHANGE TALK: CAT

Commitment Language: Agreement, intention or obligation to future target behavior change.
Ex. I guarantee I am prepared to, I swear, I am going to do it, I intend to change.
I am going to quit smoking.

Action: Current movement toward change.
Ex. I am ready, I am planning to.
I am planning to cut back on my marijuana use.

Taking Steps Toward Change: Describe a particular action that the person has done in the recent past that is clearly linked to moving toward the target change.
I got rid of all the alcohol from my house this week
I worked out for 3 days this week!