What are the best ways to motivate a client who is not making progress towards their goals?

One thing I've found to be helpful is 'rolling with resistance' by respectfully challenging when words and actions don't align I hear you saying X but you describe doing Y. How can we get you to X? I also acknowledge the importance of relapse or regression through the stages of change. Helping the people we serve acknowledge their fears is an important part of supporting motivation. Finally, making sure we're not bringing our own stuff to the table - self evaluation of the origin of frustration when working with clients who aren't meeting their goals. What is this bringing up in us as practitioners? Sense of failure? Wanting the client to move faster rather than following their lead?Can we be the copilot and let someone else fly the plane?

EMDR intervention-Robin Shapiro’s Two Hand Interweave I love that EMDR has an intervention for every problem we may encounter. Resources: Treating Addictions with EMDR Therapy and the Stages of Change, Abel and O’Brien Book Study and Integrating MI & EMDR: Working with Complex Presentations and Ambivalence-On Demand

When actions and stated intent don't align it can be an essential time to explore any feared outcomes that may be predicted to occur if change were to happen. Some simple questioning like "if you didn't feel depressed anymore, what might happen?". At times the discomfort of depression for example can feel a safer place than not being depressed and having to take action that may risk failure. Uncovering deep seated core beliefs and being able to work to challenge them or help people defuse from them can kick start an even greater shift towards change.

Identifying goals is a crucial aspect of the disease & recovery process, serving as the foundation for recognizing issues independently acknowledged by the client, separate from the clinical treatment mechanism. Essentially, when faced with the question of "How can a client not making progress toward their goals be motivated?" it is essential to acknowledge that the initial internal motivation led them to seek help, signifying significant progress. Now, the clinical approach needs to focus on recognizing & facilitating stages of change. In essence, the client is already in a state of progression, it becomes the counselor's responsibility to discern what meaningful change looks like for the client, rather than imposing preconceived notions.

I use these skills but sometimes they are stuck or not making progress. I look at the note from the first session and their intake. I read these things to them and then ask their perspective on where they feel they are stuck. What do they feel is stopping them from making progress? What can I do differently to help them? Sometimes they don’t realize they are stuck or not progressing. This brings it to their attention without judgment. Sometimes by repeating back past things they’ve said helps them realize they didn’t share something that they should have before they trusted me. This helps clarify things in their mind to help them move forward.

Recognizing the source of resistance is important (usually either lack of information vs lack of confidence) and then utilize specific interventions that address the specific source of resistance.

Before making any decisions or engaging in discussions about the solution, it is crucial in MI to emphasize and truly understand the motivations and purposes of the client. This understanding should extend beyond the context of making progress to encompass their entire life. Without comprehending and bringing awareness to what truly matters to them, moving forward will prove challenging. Just take your time here; after all, it is their life.

Questions in and of themselves motivate towards growth and progress. What is a question that you would ask yourself at this time in your life? Who is the enemy that keeps you from moving forward? Are you being an enemy to yourself or a friend? These questions I would explore with the client. One more question would be; How is your relational intimacy need being met? Questions draw us together.

The goal of Motivational interview is to help client Identify their own reasons for change and if they are not progressing then the caregiver needs to dig deeper,help the client feel more comfortable and willing to open up about their struggle so that means you need to create a very good rapport with the client. Focus on the client's strength.Help client know the strength they possess to help them overcome the challenges,give them positive feedback that are specific and focused on their strength.

Based on my perspective, self-motivation is essential during a client's journey and progress. Through my practice as a licensed psychotherapist, I observed that clients' values, beliefs, and worldviews play a crucial role during their decision-making process. Therefore, if we can understand their motivation and goals in life, we can provide the necessary tools to accomplish them.

It’s important to develop a rapport with the client, to share their experience and to engage in their thought processes. Curiosity, active listening and reflection will assist identifying and creating a goal, or substantiating one that exists. The rationale for any goal, and what the client understands is required to achieve that, needs to be thoroughly explored. The thoughts and desires to create, to reach and attain a specified goal, are the foundations that underpin the motivation to achieve. Developing and maintaining motivation often requires regular check-ins, connection and collaboration with the client, to bring focused encouragement and reaffirmation of the benefits to them in achieving their desired outcome.

I love this motivational quote, and it also aligns with my thought pattern. "Believe in yourself, take on your challenges, dig deep within yourself to conquer fears. Never let anyone bring you down. You have to keep going." Chantal Sutherland We can motivate and encourage clients through understanding and building a better collaboration between clients' values, beliefs, inner strengths, and mindsets. Each individual is unique, and their approaches are unique as well. Therefore, we need to create an environment where individuals can recognize their strengths and weaknesses and motivate themselves. #motivation #growthmindset

Many a times lack of knowledge and understanding of the available resources to look for help is noted to be root problem for many. Some people feel asking for help is a weakness.

Enhancing motivation is about tapping into the client's own strengths and resources. As peers, we share our stories of change and resilience, inspiring clients to recognize their capabilities. By highlighting the discrepancy between their current state and their goals, we gently guide them to articulate their own motivations for change, reinforcing their belief in their ability to overcome challenges.

According who's opinion have we decided that the client hasn't progressed to who's standards? Let's begin from no progress to subtle progressive effort from where ever he is.......

Often clients are not aware of their resistance to change and we need to confront them with compassion and evidence. We can help them become aware by pointing out subconscious patterns we see in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and reflecting them back to the client. For example: “I’ve noticed several instances where you expressed a desire to make a change, but you keep repeating the same behavior. Share some of the examples as evidence. Then wait and see what they say. If necessary ask, what is getting in the way? What would you suggest a friend do in this situation. Gaining third person perspective can be a powerful change agent.

If a client seems ‘resistant’, there is likely some part of the client that does not feel listened to or understood. The practitioner needs to practice awareness towards any pushes or pulls within themselves and to step back into a stance of curiosity and attunement to where the client is at. A client can only work within their window of capacity. If we try to move too quickly and are not walking alongside our clients in a collaborative way, ‘resistance’ is inevitable . Slow down and take the clients lead.

Remind myself that resistance has meaning and is nuanced. Are they resisting the change out of fear? Have we discussed that fear? What does the presenting problem protect them from? If we resolve it and achieve the goal what could happen that they subconsciously fear? Remind myself that we are co- creating a solution and goals can change or we may need more time to process the change. Perhaps I could provide support in a different way, in a more compassionate way, perhaps being less goal focused or be okay if they changed their goals...

I agree with this content, and "rolling with resistance" is one of the important aspects of a therapeutic setting. Developing a Growth mindset positively impacts the rolling with resistance process. As the article mentions, self-awareness and simple reflection also allow clients to understand their challenges. Rolling with the resistance is a process, and its outcome may vary based on the individual and their self-awareness. In my experience as a therapist, it is sometimes essential to provide the necessary tools for the clients to understand their challenges, motivate them, and encourage them to find a solution that will lead to positive outcomes.

Art therapy supports clients to dialogue w parts or narratives that feel safe to reveal themselves through image, color, form & process.Clients give voice to their images & are encouraged to be curious, perhaps noticing themes of strength/protection/vulnerability present or absent, intentional or unintentional.I'd invite the client to make any desired changes/additions once processed, offering clients a safe way to see options, a shift in perception of themselves,others or their place in the world.The client isn't always conscious of how the change represents practical change/presenting issue but if it's client led, can have a sig.effect nonetheless. Art, music, play & movement can be gentle yet incredibly powerful passages toward change.

Regular follow-up is key in peer support. Setting SMART goals and celebrating small victories builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment. We also understand that setbacks are part of the journey. Our role is to provide continual encouragement, helping clients revise their strategies, learn from challenges, and stay committed to their recovery path.

Follow-up and review is an essential aspect in motivating and encouraging the client. At the same time, I encourage clients to do their own SWOT analysis, which will help them understand their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. After progress in the sessions, we will again look back at the SWOT analysis and let the client identify their progress and areas to improve. This will encourage and empower the client to understand, review, and measure their progress toward their life goals. #motivation

Be the client's client! Certainly, if I were the client's client, I would prioritize clear communication, prompt responses, and a genuine understanding of my needs. Building a relationship based on trust and efficiency would be key to a successful collaboration.

it also helps if clients understand behavior change is very difficult and the rate of change for each person will vary at every stage as well. A client may fall into the trap of believing they won't have setbacks or that roadblocks are impassable. Helping them understand they need to pivot their strategy and find another way is imperative if they will ever meet milestones in their recovery/change process. This is not failure, it's a learning opportunity, and they are still winning because they are still trying.

‘Stuckness’ is for a reason… so important not to blame the client and be investigators together to uncover what is going on. And, as the clinician, be transparent in your ‘stuckness’ too … ask for help… we are only human too and need to admit it. Also, sometimes our clients resourcefulness can be incredible, they are the experts into themselves, we are just going along on the journey. Feel honoured.

Stuckness is just feedback: Its an addition to the process that provides information to the constructs that need addressing as part of the healing and discovery journey.

One effective approach that I often use is Motivational Interviewing. This involves engaging in a collaborative conversation with the client, where the focus is on exploring their own motivations and values. By using open-ended questions, reflective listening, and affirmations, Motivational Interviewing helps clients to identify their own reasons for change and to develop their own strategies for achieving their goals. It's all about empowering the client and helping them to tap into their own internal motivation. Of course, every client is unique, so it's important to tailor the approach to their specific needs and preferences. Building a strong rapport and creating a supportive environment are also key factors in motivating clients.

Agreed! Sometimes we see no progress when perhaps we don’t realize that the client is still attempting to develop trust & rapport, especially in cases of Trauma Disorders such as PTSD & CPTSD. I use a relational Humanistic approach in my private practice. I gently name what I am seeing from a compassionate perspective and typically the client is the one who can identify their internal bind as I also reflect on my approach (did I not consider Cultural factors perhaps?) Fascinating work! Blessed and grateful to be in it.

Break the goal up into smaller goals so it doesn’t seem as intimidating. Using the SMART method could also be impactful to have everything defined.