Ask-Offer-Ask: A Gateway to Better MI
Harness the Power of Ask-Offer-Ask
Support your organization’s approach to implementing Motivational Interviewing by starting with this well known and established, MI practice strategy
Understanding the Ask-Offer-Ask Framework
Ask-Offer-Ask bridges the gap between MI’s power and the diverse realities of casework. While MI focuses on behavior change, caseworkers need effective communication tools for everything from sharing resources to delivering difficult news to building trust—and they need them to work immediately. This framework enhances your natural communication style. Start with genuine curiosity about your client’s perspective, creating space for their voice even in challenging moments. Share information in a way that connects to their expressed needs and understanding, making every interaction more meaningful. Then explore their thoughts, ensuring both understanding and autonomy while strengthening engagement. AOA works across the full spectrum of casework—from brief informational exchanges to complex family meetings. It provides immediate tools for navigating resistance, building rapport, and fostering collaboration, while creating a natural foundation for deeper MI practice. Instead of overwhelming your team with technical complexity, AOA helps them bring out the best in their existing skills from day one.
Key Features of Ask-Offer-Ask
Enhanced Engagement
By starting with an inquiry, individuals feel valued and are more likely to engage deeply in conversations.
Relevance and Actionability
Information is tailored to the listener’s needs, making it more relevant and easier to act upon.
Psychological Safety
Creating a safe space for dialogue encourages open and honest communication.
Improved Outcomes
Aligns organizational objectives with personal goals, leading to more successful interactions.
Collaborative Approach
Fosters a sense of partnership and shared purpose in every conversation.
Immediate Application
Quick to implement, with noticeable improvements after just a few hours of training.
Endorsements from Leaders
“Ask-offer-ask serves as an elegant solution: a concrete, accessible entry point that allows practitioners to begin incorporating MI principles immediately into their daily work.”
Dr. Anthony Estreet, PhD
Ceo, National Association of Social Workers
“Ask-Offer-Ask is a simple way of using the basic principles of MI to help engage and involve people in challenging conversations.”
Dr. Donald Forrester, PhD
Professor, Cardiff University
Training Options
Explore Training Options
Master a concrete framework for bringing MI to life in just 4 hours. Our training equips your team to start using AOA immediately in their daily work.
Implementing AOA
Transform your organization’s communication culture with a clear implementation path. Build from day-one results into lasting practice change.
Become an AMIGA Member
Join a community of MI professionals dedicated to making MI accessible through AOA. Access training materials, join collaborative projects, and help shape the future of MI implementation.
Make MI Work From Day One
Transform how your organization implements Motivational Interviewing with a concrete, immediately applicable framework. Discover how Ask-Offer-Ask can help your team start using MI principles after just 4 hours of training.