Do's and Don'ts

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DO:

  • Use open-ended questions
  • Be aware of your biases & try to keep them out of the conversation
  • Explore your client’s readiness to change (see the Readiness Ruler under "Tools")
  • Target your intervention to their stage of change (See Assessing readiness to change under "Substance Abuse")
  • Use Elicit Provide Elicit to provide information, especially during low readiness stages
  • Balance sustain talk (arguments against change) with attention to change talk (arguments for change)
  • Use affirmations to support past successes & positive steps
Affirmation video example 
  • Use reflections to show empathy and understanding
  • Make a plan to have a follow up discussion
Admitting mistakes video example & Managing conflict video example 

DON’T

  • Use stereotypes & stigmatizing language
Overcoming stigma video
  • Tell the caregiver what to do
  • Make suggestions or give advice without permission
  • Stay focused only on sustain talk
  • Push change before the caregiver is ready.
Judgmental unwanted advice video example