Module 5: Empowerment

Question 1

Clients in Denial

Answer 1

Do not perceive themselves as having a problem even though their behavior is a problem for others in their life
Strategy: get clients to look at their situation and its consequences. Provide information and feedback

Question 2

Involuntary Clients

Answer 2

Can resent being forced into counselling. Resist change because feelings about being forced have aroused defenses
Strategy: Explore feelings and concerns openly, show empathy, self-disclose your own responses to being forced against your wish

Question 3

Burnt out Clients

Answer 3

Due to previously unsuccessful attempts at change. May lack self esteem and doubt their own capacity, skills or energy to change.
Strategy: explore and assess reasons previous action plans failed. Positive asset search.

Question 4

Ambivalent Clients

Answer 4

Can be undecided about altering their lives and resisting any shifts in behavior or lifestyle
Strategy: show empathy, avoid arguing or convincing in the favor of change, help client to identify obstacles and barriers

Question 5

Energized Clients

Answer 5

Motivated clients who are actively seeking to change but need help to maintain the movement of change
Strategy: provide positive reinforcement and couragement. Assist with planning and goal setting, identifying and dealing with potential obstacles

Question 6

Empowering Activities

Answer 6

1. Motivating
2. Confronting
3. Re-framing
4. Goal Setting
5. Action Planning

Question 7

Motivating

Answer 7

To extent to which clients are willing to involve themselves in the change process factors

Question 8

The concept of secondary gain

Answer 8

Motivating-Internal pressures and drives towards reaching a goals

Question 9

Foundation of Empowerment

Answer 9

The belief that clients are capable of change

Question 10

Confronting

Answer 10

A way of directing client’s attention to aspects of themselves or behavior that they might otherwise overlook
Tool for higher understanding, deepens trust when used sparingly

Question 11

Principles for Effective Confrontation

Answer 11

1. Relevance
2. Client Receptivity
3. Contracting
4. Specificity

Question 12

Relevance

Answer 12

Confrontation should serve the goals of counselling and lead the client to improved ways of behavior, thinking and feeling

Question 13

Client Receptivity

Answer 13

Timing must be appropriate to minimize defensive reactions. Use confrontation when clients are best positioned to take advantage of it and use it to motivate them to change

Question 14

Contracting

Answer 14

The process of contracting can be used to increase the client’s acceptance of confrontation

Question 15

Specificity

Answer 15

Needs to be specific without attacking the personality of the client.

Question 16

Reframing

Answer 16

A skill to help clients shift or modify their thinking. Suggests alternative interpretations or new meanings. Empowers clients by focusing on solutions and redefining negatives as opportunities or challenges

Question 17

Goal Setting

Answer 17

Drives direction, defines roles, motivates, measures progress

Question 18

Outcome goals

Answer 18

What the client hopes to achieve

Question 19

Process goals

Answer 19

Tasks clients and counselors undertake to achieve the outcome goal

Question 20

Effective goals can be measured

Answer 20

Progress can be evaluated in some way. Clear goals sustain enthusiasm. Goals should quantify progress where ever possible - how often, how much, how many times

Question 21

Relationship between goals and action planning

Answer 21

Problem exploration leads to Goals which lead to Action Planning
Goals represent outcomes
The action plan involves developing strategies to help clients get where they want to go (to the outcomes)

Question 22

Action Planning 4 Steps

Answer 22

1. Identifying alternatives: List the range of alternatives to deter impulsive action on the first available alternative.
2. Choose an Action Strategy: Allows clients a change to evaluate the alternatives and make informed choices
3. Develop and Implement Plans: This involves the steps of sequencing the plans, developing contingency (backup) plans, putting the plan into action, evaluating
4. Evaluate Outcomes: recognizes and confirms successes as powerful motivators but also serves to detect problems with goals as they arise.

Question 23

Concrete goals

Answer 23

What you wish to achieve realistically