Importance Ruler for Client Change Talk

An Importance Ruler helps a client rate how much one possible change matters and explain the personal reasons behind that rating.

Motivational interviewingAssessmentProgress reviewBehavior changeValues

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Tool guide

Learn more about this tool

Use this background section to understand when the tool fits, how practitioners use it, and what to consider before sharing it with clients.

Importance and meaning

The client chooses a discrete importance rating and explains why the change matters or does not matter. Both answers support the practitioner's conversation.

Review over time

Completed ratings can be compared with earlier importance responses for the same change focus. The tool does not infer a motivation level or score the client's words.

Adapt the ruler

Practitioners can edit the change focus, questions, instructions, scale, and anchors before sharing.

How is this different from a Readiness Ruler?

This ruler measures how important a change feels. Readiness and confidence are separate questions.

Are personal reasons required?

The default template asks for both a rating and the client's own reasons. Practitioners can adapt the completion rules.

Can importance be tracked over time?

Yes. Earlier completed ratings are shown when they concern the same change focus.