A simple Google search on ways to assist or “make” substance abusers change brings up many articles and supported research. As our courseware material and articles outline it is not Best Practice for the counsellor to “make” the clients change, but for the counsellor to see clients as the major driving force behind their change or support a client driven approach.. There are a number of reasons why it is important counsellors need to be client driven and one reason is that it helps in the client adhering to their choice of treatment. Adherence or participation in treatment can be associated with improved positive outcomes, if a client does not adhere to a mode of treatment there will be no different outcomes and certainly no change. Within the framework of motivational interviewing sources of adherence are addressed and a competent counsellor can review, predict and understand the influences effecting adherence, whilst allowing the client to be in the driver’s seat. If clients have a say and “buy into” their choice of treatment they are more likely to adhere to the program, be co-operative and willing to participate, as well be engaged as they are investing not only themselves in the program but also control the pace and intensity of the program/treatment (Zweben, 2002) …show more content…
The therapist no longer needs to be the force of change, or considered the “teacher or master of knowledge” but more to be a guider and skilled helper that moves alongside and with the client. Also, being client driven shifts the imbalance of power and allows for the client to take possession of their treatment direction. This in turn should reduce attrition, attrition, is when a client leave the treatment session before their goals have been achieved (Pierce,
Changing Substance Use: What We Know And What We Need To Know." Annals Of Behavioral Medicine 37.2 (2009): 117-125. Academic Search Complete. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.
The definition of motivational interviewing (MI) has evolved and been refined since the first publications on its use as a way to deal with behaviour change. The technical therapeutic definition of motivational interviewing is a collaborative, and goal oriented method of communication with giving specific observation to the language of change. It is intended to reinforce an individual’s motivation for and development towards a particular objective by evoking and investigating the individual's own arguments for change (Miller & Rollnick, 2012). Motivational interviewing was created to enable clients to prepare for changing addictive behaviours like drug and alcohol abuse (Miller & Rollnick, 1991, 2002) and has been viable to lessen other harmful behaviours including tobacco, drugs, alcohol, gambling, treatment
(Miller, 1996) A Harm Reduction approach to therapy begins with the intent to lessen any high-risk behavior that can be linked back to substance abuse. A treatment plan that focuses on the clients positive behaviors is developed. Hazardous behaviors are addressed through means of educating, motivating, and educating the client. Once a client is properly educated in the positive ways to prevent or lessen harm through substance abuse, they are often motivated to begin to use their treatment as something that focuses on working towards complete recovery from their addiction.
During the rehab process, patients receive much more than therapy and counselling. They learn a lot about addiction and what it takes to stay on the path of recovery. In many cases, they also learn the value of having one or more support groups. For many years now, counselors have placed a great deal of value on promoting the idea of "one addict helping another addict." In fact, who would know more about the recovery process than someone who has successfully lived it?
...ives from the implementation of an empathic, hopeful continuous treatment relationship, which provides integrated treatment and coordination of care through the course of multiple treatment episodes” (Watkins, 2015). Whether, confronted with a substance use disorder, gambling or sex addiction the way in which a counselor work with the client in an open helpful manner is the key to motivating the client to change their behaviors. “A man convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still” (Carnegie, 1981). The most piece of the helping relationship is that the client is the lead in their care, as they are the ones that will be making the decisions for their care. A counselor is essentially a trained skillful teacher that guides an individual toward their best recovery options and it is up to the individual to make the needed changes in their life and behaviors.
Current research implies that an empathetic clinician-client relationship and interrelated ecosystems play the majority role in the success of therapy (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). The clinician’s ability to be present and actively perceive what the client is experiencing is of utmost importance in creating a therapeutic alliance. It is imperative that the clinician gains positive regard towards the client and their environment displaying honest acceptance towards the client no matter what issues are presented in session. This closely relates to a sincere presentation of genuineness that instills a feeling of honesty within the client and clinician (Kilpatrick & Holland, 2009). An experienced clinician builds upon the therapeutic
People with addiction may seek counseling to help them recover from drug usage. Using motivational interviewing can help find out how motivated the client is to staying clean and what will encourage them to stay away from drugs. The clients also needs to see how the addiction is effecting their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
...p their own solutions to problems. Clients may need some guidance, education, or direction depending on their abilities and how the therapy is going. It is then that I want to be able to help them feel more empowered and recognize that they can make changes with effort on their part.
In B. L. Duncan, S. D. Miller, B.E. Wampold, & M.A. Hubble (Eds.), The heart and soul of change: Delivering what works in therapy (2nd ed., pp. 143-166). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
To explain, the client should not be inferior to the counselor; the environment should be two people discussing an issue and ways to make a difference. A therapist should occasionally share similar experiences; therefore, sessions should make clients feel comfortable. To add, the client should feel safe due to the positive atmosphere the therapist brings to the session. The goal is to finally give the client a chance to be heard, regularly people are muted and feel like they are insignificant to society. Similarly, to Person-centered therapy where communication with the client is unconditionally positive. The therapist needs to genuinely care about the client needs for them to fully express themselves successfully. Furthermore, clients should be encouraging to make their own choices which model how to identify and use power responsibly. Hence, this will help the client feel more confident in everyday life when making a meaningful
This experience helped me to recognize the internal struggle that a substance abuser faces on a continuous basis. In addition, I know that an individual can have a difficult time changing their behavior even when they have a strong desire to change; the smallest thing can cause a person to relapse.
Furthermore, my goal is to let client fix their problems on their own through insight and guidance from the therapist. I envision a successful therapeutic process being when a client follows their goals and achieves positive outcomes in their lives. I seek to gain a therapeutic process with my clients by building rapport, trust, and helping them gain insight. When my clients are stuck and need motivation, I plan to remind them about their goals and the positive things that will come with change. If family is important to a client, informing the client about their family and their happiness may help motivate them to continue to
Although, this session ended with amazing results, I feel as though I need more practice with this type of therapy. I have to continue to practice on allowing the patient to come up with their own solutions. I found it hard not giving advice to my client, because I already knew the situation. However, in the end I found myself very proud, because even though this was not a real therapy session, but the client was able to find a real solution to her problem. This experience is one that teaches the therapist restraint, it allows one to step back and listen. It also gives the client the opportunity to reach a solution themselves without someone giving them the answer to their
“Motivational interviewing was introduced by Dr. William R. Miller in 1983, to help problem drinkers prepare for treatment and has been developed in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Rollnick. Motivational interviewing is a client centered directive method of communication for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by helping people to explore and work through ambivalence. (Miller &Rollnick,2002).” This definition simply means that motivational interviewing is a method that uses the techniques taught by Carl Rodgers, such as empathy, positive regard, and congruence all of which lead to a collaborative relationship between the counselor and the client. This supportive and collaborative relationship will enable the client to open up and have honest discussions with the counselor. Therefore, the counselor will be able to help the client recognize:
Client education is also a process by which clients are educated as to the course that alters health risks and behaviors associated with alcohol and other drug use and abuse primarily by abstinence but in some cases with medication to improve client health status. “Client education provides culturally relevant formal and informal education programs that raise awareness and support substance abuse prevention and the recovery process” TAP 21, competency 99 (www.samhsa.gov). Clients and family members are often unaware of the initial root cause (s) of the health impairment that led to or became the issue (s) (beyond presenting situation) of the impairment. Educating the client in a variety of forms is an essential part of the healing process and will aid in the overall wellness of the client. Some forms of client education are addressed in a class or group setting but can be significantly addressed in a one on one setting with a counselor however; the advantage of peer on peer feedback, or interaction is lost.