COSIG CONFERENCE BROCHURE.pdf - Drexel University College ...

COSIG Co-Occurring Disorders Conference, Hershey PA, May 15-17, 2006
Principles of Engagement
• Avoid argumentation
• Express empathy
• Support self-efficacy
• Roll with resistance
• Develop discrepancy
Avoid Argumentation
• Do not utilize argumentation to confront
the individual’s denial or minimization of
the problem(s)
• Heavy confrontation causes most
individuals to feel attacked; participate less
fully; resist interventions; and argue the
opposite point of view
Express Empathy
• Hostile confrontation of individuals has
been shown to increase dropout and
relapse
• Do not try to “break through” denial, but
attempt to work around it.
• Build up, rather than tear down
• If the individual feels understood they are
more able to open up to their own
experiences and to share
• Become more comfortable to examining
their ambivalence about change
Support Change Talk
• An individual’s belief that change is
possible is an important motivator to
succeeding in making change
• Help the individual develop a belief that
they can make a change
Roll with Resistance
• Do not fight resistance -- “roll” with it
• Statements demonstrating resistance are
not challenged. Utilize individual’s
momentum to further explore their view.
Resistance tends to be decreased rather
than increased.
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