Affirmations are just one part of Motivational Interviewing (MI). And an important component in helping youths and adults find their way to change.
When clients are resistant, they don’t want to leave their situation. They prefer to stay addicted, overweight, in emotional pain, cutting themselves, etc. Their behavior provides some comfort and emotional gain. They also are afraid of what happens if they leave their usual means of living and try something different. It means giving up something they’re comfortable with, like a warm blanket they throw over themselves. This is true for many to who don’t want to or like change.
In addition, the client may not like the treatment process. Therapists or social workers poking. Prodding. Begging and cajoling. Trying to get them to be something they don’t want to be. As a result, they are wary and suspicious of the therapeutic process.
To this end, MI tries to provide a process whereby the client can feel comfortable just being themselves. Being accepted for what they bring into the session. Not feeling judged, put down, or that they are lazy and don’t want help.
One of the techniques which can help is Affirmations. This is part of the OARS strategy. When interviewing a client, it helps to provide them with positive reinforcement and praise. Give them a sense that you, as the practitioner, are supportive of them. Are on their side. This collusion with the client helps them feel that you understand. That you have an idea what it’s like for them.
Affirmations are exactly what they appear to be. Statements which give the client positive feedback for talking about their problems. Obstacles. Pain. Excuses. And reasons for staying the way they are.
Here’s some examples between Client and Practitioner:
C: “I don’t know why I’m here. I don’t belong in treatment.”
P: “I appreciate you being so honest about your intentions.”
C: “There is no way I’m going to stop running away from my mother.”
P: “It’s helpful to hear how you feel about your relationship with your mother.”
C: “At the rate I’m going, I’m not sure I’m going to be alive by the end of the year.”
P: “You’re really making progress in stating your fears.”
C: “Why should I stop using drugs? No one cares about me.”
P: ”You’re really putting yourself out there and sharing your feelings.”
By giving affirmations, the practitioner is not trying to change how the client feels. They’re simply telling the client they appreciate the openness. The candor. And that it’s hard to be in their shoes. Without judgment or trying to get them to change. This is a step in getting the client to be more willing to open up. To trust the practitioner and the process. To see that they’re hurting and that the practitioner wants to help. But in a gentle nudging way, not with a sledgehammer.
Affirmations can be helpful if used with other treatments, to give the client praise for their feelings. And further positive actions.
Learn more about Motivational Interviewing training courses by contacting us.
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PRAXES is a nationwide behavioral health software, consulting, and training company. No one in the behavioral health industry has a better reputation, and if you give us the chance, we’ll show you why! At PRAXES, our services improve the efficiency and structure of behavioral health agencies serving children and families nationwide. PRAXES brings over 45 years of administrative and clinical expertise. With more than 100 client companies nationwide, we offer the expertise to advance the quality of behavioral health services. We accomplish these goals through our new clinical decision software, our training of best practices, and helping companies meet regulatory standards. At PRAXES, we believe in being creative and fostering new ways to serve children and their families. Our vision is to empower the families our agencies serve with skills that not only improve their functioning, but help them to thrive in their everyday lives. When you give us the chance, you’ll be connected directly to our friendly staff, so you can expect immediate attention to your inquiry. So, don’t wait, call now!
Dan Thorne has unique perspectives on the field of mental health. As a clinician, he has had over 40 years of experience working with clients in the Southern California area. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Irvine, he worked with children in the Orange County Juvenile Hall. Here he honed his earliest techniques on at-risk children. After that, he obtained his Master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton.
In the 1990’s, Dan turned his attention to the clinical and administrative side of behavioral health organizations. For three years, he was the Assistant Administrator of Starting Point, a chemical dependency facility in Costa Mesa, CA. In 2001, he took an opportunity to be the Director of Harbor View Community Services Center in Long Beach. When he arrived, the Center had only 80 clients and 13 staff. When he left, there were over 400 clients and 75 staff. Dan created several programs through their contract with the Los Angeles County Departments of Mental Health and Child and Family Services. Under his guidance, Harbor View became one of the leading providers of children’s services in Los Angeles County.
While improving the results of the client’s parents at the Center, Dan reflected on his experiences as a parent. His children themselves had special needs such as mental and intellectual challenges, and Dan knew the toll it takes on the parent. In order to help the child, the parent has to be healthy. From this concept, he created his parenting program. After years of refining it, teaching it to his staff at the Center, and then taking the results and comments from these efforts, he became the developer of the current PRAXES program. It is a culmination of Dan’s personal trials and tribulations as a parent along with empirical results and research of over 40 parenting programs.
Our vision at PRAXES is to advance the strength of parents and caregivers of children with special needs (mental health, intellectual, or physical) through education, support, and empowerment. Thus, they can live healthy and functional lives while caring for the child.
Apogee is a clinical decision software designed to help behavioral health practitioners with their treatment and patient engagement. It provides evidence-based and research-based components. Not only do they consist of elements from such practices as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Functional Behavior Analysis, but also the Intensive Models for Parents, Youth, and Children.
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