It seems odd that a client would present for treatment while simultaneously being opposed to making changes, but this is indeed what counselors frequently encounter. Such clients are usually coerced into therapy. A person in legal trouble may be offered a deferred sentence for undergoing outpatient treatment if they are assessed to have a substance-use disorder (SUD) or other behavioral problem which contributed to the offense. Others might seek treatment to assuage family members, avoid a divorce, keep a home, or to stay employed. These clients do not necessarily wish to change their behavior; they simply wish to cushion some consequences. In order to use time and resources effectively, a therapist must first assess which of the five stages
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However, this is not to say that the client-centered therapist is non-directive. Client-centered therapy, particularly the motivational interviewing (MI) technique, is focused and goal-directed in regard to exploring and resolving a client’s ambivalence to change (Octigan, 2007). Once an attitude of mutual trust has been established, the therapist can effectively become the instrument by which a client can explore and resolve his or her ambivalence to change (Octigan, 2007). Client-centered theory offers a variety of evidence-based methods for doing this. Consciousness raising interventions could help Stephanie become more aware of the causes, consequences, and responses of others to her behavior (Perkinson, 2004). She might see some of the implications of her “near misses” by envisioning her life had these things happened. She might benefit from dialogues designed to compare and contrast the type of life she envisions for herself versus the life that would result from getting a college degree and pursuing a legitimate career that interests her. Environmental reevaluation techniques could help Stephanie objectively asses her current social environment as opposed to an environment living with bandmates (Perkinson, 2004). She might conclude that her friends would be less tolerant of her behavior than her parents, or that living with a group of people who demonstrate similar behavior to hers may not be so
However, this is not to say that the client-centered therapist is non-directive. Client-centered therapy, particularly the motivational interviewing (MI) technique, is focused and goal-directed in regard to exploring and resolving a client’s ambivalence to change (Octigan, 2007). Once an attitude of mutual trust has been established, the therapist can effectively become the instrument by which a client can explore and resolve his or her ambivalence to change (Octigan, 2007). Client-centered theory offers a variety of evidence-based methods for doing this. Consciousness raising interventions could help Stephanie become more aware of the causes, consequences, and responses of others to her behavior (Perkinson, 2004). She might see some of the implications of her “near misses” by envisioning her life had these things happened. She might benefit from dialogues designed to compare and contrast the type of life she envisions for herself versus the life that would result from getting a college degree and pursuing a legitimate career that interests her. Environmental reevaluation techniques could help Stephanie objectively asses her current social environment as opposed to an environment living with bandmates (Perkinson, 2004). She might conclude that her friends would be less tolerant of her behavior than her parents, or that living with a group of people who demonstrate similar behavior to hers may not be so