Change and Sustain Talk

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Change Talk: a caregiver's statements that argue for or support change

DARN
  • Desires: want, would like, hope to do this or make this change
  • Abilities: Can, am able, I could or believe I could do this
  • Reasons: For my child, my health, my family
  • Needs: Need to or must make this change

Commitment language: I am going to, will do it, promise to start next week

Responding to change talk: Highlight and emphasize their feelings in your reflections, affirm past success

 

Sustain Talk: a caregiver's statements that make a case or give reason NOT to change

DARN FOR SUSTAIN TALK

  • NO desire: I do not want or desire to make this change
  • Not able: I do not think I can do it, I tried and failed, I cannot do it
  • Not convinced of reasons not sure change would be good, do not have a reason
  • No need to change: I do not have any need to change this

Overwhelmed or unwilling: I cannot do this at this time with everything going on

Responding to Sustain Talk

  • Strategic responding: emphasize autonomy, you are in charge, you have the choice to do this or not
  • Reflective Responding: Straight, Amplified, Double-Sided: reflect any change talk you can find, show you are listening to concerns, ambivalence, and arguments against change