How can you address discrepancies between a client's goals and their behavior?

1 What are discrepancies?

Discrepancies are gaps or conflicts between a client's current situation and their desired outcome. They can be internal, such as when a client feels ambivalent or conflicted about changing, or external, such as when a client faces barriers or challenges to change. Discrepancies can be a source of discomfort, frustration, or guilt for a client, but they can also be a catalyst for change, if they are recognized and explored.

2 Why are discrepancies important?

Discrepancies are important because they reveal a client's values, preferences, and reasons for change. They also indicate a client's readiness, willingness, and ability to change. By identifying and highlighting discrepancies, you can help your client see the gap between where they are and where they want to be, and motivate them to take action to close that gap. You can also help your client resolve any ambivalence or resistance they may have towards change, and support them in finding their own solutions.

3 How can you identify discrepancies?

You can identify discrepancies by asking open-ended questions, listening actively, reflecting back, and summarizing what your client says. You can also use scales, pros and cons lists, or other tools to help your client assess their current situation and their desired outcome. For example, you can ask your client to rate their satisfaction with their current behavior, their confidence in changing, and their importance of changing, on a scale of 1 to 10. You can then explore the reasons behind their ratings, and the implications of staying the same or changing.

4 How can you highlight discrepancies?

You can highlight discrepancies by using affirmations, reflections, and summaries to emphasize the contrast between your client's goals and their behavior. You can also use hypothetical questions, decisional balance, or other techniques to help your client imagine the consequences of changing or not changing. For example, you can ask your client how their life would be different if they achieved their goal, or what would happen if they continued their current behavior. You can then reflect back their responses, and point out the discrepancies between their values and their actions.

5 How can you avoid creating discrepancies?

You can avoid creating discrepancies by following your client's lead, and not imposing your own agenda or expectations. You can also avoid using confrontational, judgmental, or persuasive language, as this may increase your client's defensiveness or resistance. Instead, you can use empathic, supportive, and curious language, and express genuine interest and respect for your client's perspective. You can also use elicit-provide-elicit (EPE) method to share information or advice, only when your client asks for it or agrees to it, and check their understanding and reaction afterwards.

6 How can you monitor and adjust discrepancies?

You can monitor and adjust discrepancies by paying attention to your client's verbal and non-verbal cues, and checking in with them regularly. You can also use reflective listening, feedback, and open-ended questions to gauge your client's level of motivation, confidence, and commitment. If you notice that your client is feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck, you can reduce the discrepancy by acknowledging their difficulties, validating their emotions, and reinforcing their strengths. If you notice that your client is feeling confident, optimistic, or ready, you can increase the discrepancy by reinforcing their reasons for change, highlighting their progress, and encouraging them to take action.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?