How do you assess client motivation using the readiness ruler?

1 What is the readiness ruler?

The readiness ruler is a visual aid that represents a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 means not ready at all and 10 means completely ready. You can use a physical ruler, a paper, a whiteboard, or any other material that can show the scale. The purpose of the readiness ruler is to ask the client to rate their readiness for change on a specific behavior or goal, and then to follow up with open-ended questions that elicit the client's reasons, concerns, and confidence about changing.

2 How to introduce the readiness ruler?

Before using the readiness ruler, you need to establish rapport and trust with the client, and identify the target behavior or goal that the client wants to work on. You can then introduce the readiness ruler by explaining that it is a way to help the client reflect on their motivation and readiness for change, and that there is no right or wrong answer. You can also ask for the client's permission to use the readiness ruler, and assure them that they can change their rating at any time.

3 How to ask the readiness question?

Once you have introduced the readiness ruler, you can ask the client to rate their readiness for change on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 representing not ready at all and 10 denoting complete readiness. The question can be posed in various ways depending on the context and the client's situation. For instance, you can ask: "How important is it for you to lose weight on a scale from 0 to 10?" or "How confident are you that you can manage your stress better on a scale from 0 to 10?" Additionally, you can also inquire about their readiness in different domains, such as health, work, relationships, or personal growth.

4 How to explore the readiness rating?

After the client has given their rating, you can delve deeper by asking open-ended questions that allow the client to express their ambivalence, explore their values and goals, and boost their self-efficacy and commitment. Examples of questions you can ask are: what makes them give that rating? What are the advantages of changing for them? What are the barriers or difficulties that make it hard to change? What would it take for them to move up one point on the scale? How can you support them in making this change? Additionally, you should use reflective listening, affirmations, and summaries to demonstrate empathy and understanding, as well as reinforce the client's motivation and readiness for change.

5 How to use the readiness ruler over time?

The readiness ruler is not just a one-time assessment, but a dynamic tool that can be used to monitor the client's progress and motivation throughout the change process. At the start of the intervention, it can establish a baseline and goal. During the intervention, it can be used to check in and provide feedback. And at the end of the intervention, it can be used to evaluate and celebrate the outcome. Additionally, it can be used to address any setbacks or relapses that the client may experience, and to help them cope and learn from them. The readiness ruler is an effective tool for assessing motivation and readiness for change in motivational interviewing. It can also be used to elicit, explore, and enhance the client's reasons, concerns, and confidence about changing their behavior or achieving their goal. In this way, it can help support clients in their change process.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?