Week 2: Engagement

Question 1

What are the 4 general phases of the therapeutic process?

Answer 1

1. Engagement
2. Assessment
3. Treatment support/plan
4. Disengagement/termination

Question 2

What are the 3 factors to give special consideration to in a first encounter?

Answer 2

1. Yourself: emotional/mental/physical state, contextually relevant appearance, safety)
2. Documents (website, materials, etc.): grade 6 reading level, affirming language, cultural humility, organisation, professionalism
3. Environment: temperature, lighting, cleanliness, tissues, water/snacks, comfortable seating, safety, confidentiality, tech

Question 3

What are some examples of goals for a first session with a client? (5)

Answer 3

-Reviewing consent, confidentiality, expectations, and boundaries
-Catalyst that brought client to services
-Needs/hopes (rather than goals, which imply success vs. failure; assess whether they are your needs/hopes or theirs)
-Assess risk of harm
-Assess stage of change

Question 4

Describe the stages and shape of the Change Curve

Answer 4

Over time…
1. Denial
2. Realisation (increased motivation)
3. Resistance/anger (decreased motivation)
4. Letting go (further decreased motivation)
5. Searching (slight increase in motivation)
6. Understanding the meaning of changes (gradual increase continues)
7. Changes internalised (highest motivation)

Question 5

What are the 6 stages in Prochaska & DiClemente’s Cycle of Change?

Answer 5

An “upward spiral” where the person learns from each relapse through:

1. Pre-contemplation: no intention of change, can’t see the problem
2. Contemplation: aware, but no commitment to action (can remain here for an extended time)
3. Preparation: a shorter stage (1 month to less than 1 year) where a person is intent on taking action
4. Action: active modification of behaviour (most visible stage)
5. Maintenance: sustained change; new behaviour replaces old
6. Relapse: falling back into old patterns of behaviour

Question 6

What two conditions are needed from the client to reach Preparation in the Cycle of Change?

Answer 6

1. Buy-in (client convinced that change is good/worthwhile)
2. Increased self-efficacy (client believes they can make the change)

Question 7

What are the 6 guiding principles to a Trauma-Informed approach?

Answer 7

1. Safety
2. Trustworthiness & Transparency
3. Peer support
4. Collaboration & Mutuality
5. Empowerment, voice, & choice
6. Cultural, historical, & gender issues

Question 8

Who brought the concept of a Strength-Based approach to social work, and when?

Answer 8

Saleebey (2000), but the focus dates back to the 1950s/60s

Question 9

What are some characteristics of a Strength-Based approach?

Answer 9

-A focus on a person’s inherent worth, dignity, uniqueness, rights, self-determination, confidentiality, and access to resources/opportunities
-No focus on labels/diagnoses
-Lack of blame; focus on growth
-Client motivation is included in the development process

Question 10

Who is credited with developing Positive Psychology?

Answer 10

Martin Seligman

Question 11

What is Positive Psychology?

Answer 11

The scientific study of positive experiences, individual traits, and structures that facilitate development; extends psychology past a deficit approach which simply removes suffering to one that increases wellbeing

Question 12

What is an example of a therapeutic modality grounded in Positive Psychology?

Answer 12

Rogerian therapy, which is client-centred, incorporates Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and positive CBT; frames the therapist as a facilitator

Question 13

Who developed the ROPES approach, and what perspective is it grounded in?

Answer 13

Graybeal; strength-based

Question 14

What does ROPES stand for?

Answer 14

R: resources
O: options
P: possibilities
E: exceptions
S: solutions

Question 15

Who is credited with developing Motivational Interviewing?

Answer 15

Miller & Rollnick

Question 16

What is Motivational Interviewing?

Answer 16

A scientifically-tested method of therapy that combines a supportive, collaborative, and empathic style with a directive method as a means to positively resolve tension created by unresolved ambivalence about change.

Question 17

What perspective is Motivational Interviewing grounded in?

Answer 17

Strengths based; also a strong connection between MI and Positive Psychology

Question 18

What are the 4 key elements of Motivational Interviewing?

Answer 18

1. Partnership (collaboration, in alignment with client’s values and goals)
2. Acceptance (inherent worth, non-judgement, autonomy, self-determination)
3. Compassion (seeking and valuing client’s wellbeing)
4. Evocation (develop client’s intrinsic motivation for change, rather than impose extrinsic goals/motivation)

Question 19

In reference to Michael Bungay Stanier’s “Taming Your Advice Monster”, what does AWE stand for?

Answer 19

“And what else?” (an invitation to stay curious longer)