How to Coach Yourself and Others Empowering Coaching And Crisis Interventions | Page 86

This book is in B&W, not color - Print page in Grayscale for Correct view! The counsellor’s goal in the above interview is to find what works and then to encourage the client to apply successful solutions more frequently. The process is as follows: 1. Identify exceptions to those times when the client is having difficulty. 2. Explore what was different about those times, including what (specifically) the client was doing differently. 3. Identify elements (e.g., behaviour, setting, and timing) that contributed to a successful solution. 4. Help the client increase the frequency of the success-related elements when dealing with the problem situation. Clients are often more experienced in using ineffectual strategies to deal with their problems. Despite the fact that these strategies do not work, clients may compulsively repeat them to the point where they give up and conclude that their problems are hopeless. Consequently, counsellors need to encourage clients to apply the elements of success. For example, a behavioural rehearsal (role play) that focuses on systematic exploration of the elements of success can be used. Counsellors also need to encourage clients to pay attention to what they are doing when they are managing their problem, as in the following case: Rodney came to counselling asking for help to quit what he described as “compulsive marijuana use.” He was concerned that he might slip into heavy drug use. The counsellor asked him to observe what he was doing when he was not using marijuana and what he did to overcome his urge to use. This technique empowered Rodney by helping him become aware of successful strategies he was already using. Subsequently, he was encouraged to increase the frequency of these successful behaviours. Success Tip When using the miracle question, it is important that the client, not the counsellor, generates the vision of the situation where the problem has been removed (response to the miracle question). Similarly, it is the client who must describe what changes or solutions need to happen for the miracle to occur. The role of the counsellor is to manage the exploration and solution-finding process. Finding Strengths in Adversity Hardships and difficulties often have positive spin-offs in that people develop skills to deal with their misfortunes or discover capacities that they did not know they had. Below are some sample probes: ■ How have you managed to keep going in conditions that would have defeated a lot of people? ■ You have dealt with this problem for a long time. Many people would not have survived. How did you manage to keep going? What strengths were you able to draw on? ■ What have you learned from life’s trials and tests? ■ Have hardships helped to shape your values and character in positive ways? ■ People often develop talents or discover strengths from facing challenges. How has this been true for you? Using Solution Talk Furman and Ahola (1994) introduced the idea of “solution talk” as a way to evoke a solution-oriented focus to the counselling interview. The goal is to create a climate of discovery and action. For example, to get clients to notice their skills and capacities, counsellors can use statements and questions such as, “When you’ve successfully coped, how did you do it?” For [email protected] Property of Bookemon, do NOT distribute 86