Strategies for Facilitating Action and Change (Dr. Helm)

Question 1

1. Pairing stopping something with starting something.

Answer 1

extinguish negative behavior, replace with prosocial behavior

e.g., solicit client’s agreement: client identifies that she does not want to fall into another emotionally abusive relationship –> “Where might you start with that?”

Question 2

2. Structured rehearsal or role playing.

Answer 2

an exercise in which a client can get practice saying something or doing something, the goal of which is to have clients feel the emotions and act it out

e.g., Check-in with the client about their experience of doing the role play: “Let’s stop for a second. What did that feel like for you?”

Question 3

3. Identifying resistance to change.

Answer 3

resistance usually means there is something occurring within the client himself or with the counseling relationship that might be a barrier to change –> explore resistance

e.g., “I know you came in here to work on being more social for your boyfriend. It seems like you might not actually want to be more social. What would you be most interested in doing here with me?”

Question 4

4. The sum of its parts.

Answer 4

break a bigger problem down into smaller pieces and take it together to address the presenting concerns

e.g., Focuses on constructing a good email (smaller goal) even when frustrated instead of the larger communication issues –> work collaboratively with client and the client can get feedback

Question 5

5. Obtaining agreement/commitment.

Answer 5

obtaining consent of the client in a collaborative and respectful way after distinguishing where the client is in the change process

e.g. “How would you like to do something different?”

Question 6

6. Paradoxical intention (and challenge).

Answer 6

suggest to the client that they do the opposite of either what you might want them to do or what they would like to do
–>should be used sparingly, only if sensing resistance
–> designed to get the client to examine why they are not making a lot of progress
–> e.g., “You came in saying you want to get out of this relationship with Bryan but that hasn’t been something you’ve done yet.” –> “What would it be like for you to stay in this relationship for another year?”