Your client is struggling with motivation in therapy. How can you reignite their drive to succeed?

One thing I’ve found to be helpful is reaffirming goals they’ve expressed and achieved in the past. Then I ask open ended questions about how they would feel when they accomplish the next milestone.

Acknowledge and validate their emotions, creating a safe space for them to express themselves. Gently explain that change can be challenging and requires time. Explore any underlying fears or concerns that may be hindering their progress.

Set SMART goals and reward yourself when you achieve a goal or milestone. This can be as simple as treating yourself to something you enjoy or taking time to relax. Understand that setbacks and obstacles are part of the process. Stay flexible and adjust your approach as needed—practice self-care by incorporating physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects into your routine. Take time to reflect on your journey, assess what’s working, and make adjustments where necessary. Automatically you learn to seek help

Walking with each client like you’re a professional improv dancer. Each client needs or deserves to get therapy at their own pace and that makes a huge difference in their motivation. That doesn’t mean that the therapist needs to tiptoe around the client’s emotions or unauthentically validate them, clients in my experience actually appreciate authenticity. Motivation comes when we feel results or change is happening so being patient and psycho educating clients to keep them aware, in control and informed is a big motivational tactic.

It’s very easy to go ahead of the client, assuming they are on the same page. Don’t mistake spoken assent for real enthusiasm. Change is hard: spend more time exploring their feelings, and the meaning of an addiction or habit in their lives: after all, it would not have become so deeply rooted in their lives if it hadn’t brought perceived benefits. Explore your own feelings here: any sense of judgement you may be communicating will induce shame, and the client will be more inclined to protect a habit that seems to be under attack.

Accept that originally agreed goals are quite likely to evolve and change as therapy proceeds. It’s important to check in with the client and explore whether you and they are still on the same me page. Perhaps goal change is a sign of good therapy: the client will hopefully have greater self insight, increased psychological flexibility and the confidence to articulate more clearly what they want for their lives.

Setting realistic and achievable goals is essential in Motivational Interviewing (MI) as it aligns with the principles of autonomy and self-efficacy. By collaboratively defining specific, measurable, and time-bound objectives, practitioners can help clients feel more in control of their journey. This approach not only mitigates feelings of overwhelm but also reinforces the client's intrinsic motivation through the celebration of small wins. Additionally, reflecting on progress during sessions can enhance the therapeutic alliance and encourage clients to visualize their path forward, making the process of change feel more attainable and less daunting.

To foster motivation, it is essential—and our responsibility—to help the patient visualize the ultimate goals and benefits of the specific therapy. Begin by outlining short-term goals that can be achieved in a brief period. The treatment will be executed with appropriate planning, and the expected progress and achievements will be demonstrated. When patients see their progress, they become self-motivated to continue. Patients seeking therapy are often struggling with physical and mental health issues and are looking to regain a healthy life. Seeing that they are on the right path encourages them to persist and improves their patience and commitment to the process.

Break down the client's larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. This not only makes the process feel less overwhelming but also allows the client to experience success early on, boosting their confidence and motivation.

The therapist has many opportunities to model empathy for the client, and for themselves. If the client’s customary stance is one of self contempt and shame in the face of their imperfections, therapy provides the space to regard the self with compassion and respect for strategies generated in problem solution, even when these have proved to be maladaptive.

Empathy is more than just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental human quality that fosters connection, understanding, and compassion. At its core, empathy is the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, to feel what they feel, and to understand their experiences from their perspective. In a world that often feels divided, cultivating empathy can bridge gaps and bring people together. Clients would at some point share their frustrations or feelings of helplessness; these lead to being demotivated but your role is to emphasise and encourage them.

Cultivating empathy is essential not only for self-motivation but also for fostering a therapeutic alliance. When clients feel understood and accepted, they are more likely to engage in the change process. Empathy can serve as a powerful motivator by helping individuals reframe their setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than failures. This shift in perspective encourages resilience and persistence, essential qualities for achieving long-term goals. Additionally, integrating self-compassion practices can further enhance motivation, as they promote a healthier relationship with oneself, ultimately leading to more effective therapeutic outcomes.

Cultivating empathy within yourself can significantly boost your motivation by helping you understand and connect with others on a deeper level. When you truly empathize with the experiences and emotions of those around you, it ignites a powerful sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in their lives. This emotional bond can inspire you to set meaningful goals and persist in your efforts, knowing that what you do can make a real difference. Empathy also equips you to handle challenges with greater resilience, as you become more attuned to the needs and perspectives of others, fostering collaboration and fulfillment. Ultimately, empathy enhances your motivation by grounding it in compassion and the wish to help others

Show genuine understanding and empathy for the client's struggles. This helps build a strong therapeutic alliance, making the client feel supported and understood, which is key to maintaining their motivation.

Therapists are uniquely positioned to set clients up for small successes, reflect on them and over time enable them to build the confidence to set their own challenges and triumph in them.

Empower the client by involving them in the decision-making process. Give them a sense of control over their therapeutic journey by encouraging them to choose the goals or interventions that resonate most with them.

Enhancing autonomy during therapy sessions promotes and sustains the effort for collaboration. It allows the client to have some control over the therapeutic methods used, and continues to provide a safer client-centered environment.

Where shame and a poor view of self have characterised the client, reflection and celebration of success will not be natural responses for them. Modelling by the therapist will be important, and clients can be coached in the questions to ask themselves to bring to the forefront of their minds the victories they have accomplished. As a sense of self efficacy grows, so reflection will become a positive experience, and fuel more ambitious efforts toward change.

Encouraging patients to continue their therapy by highlighting their health progress can be incredibly motivating. Imagine a patient who sees their pain levels decreasing, their mobility improving, or their mental well-being enhancing through regular updates. Witnessing these tangible improvements firsthand reassures them that their efforts are making a real difference. This positive reinforcement helps them understand that their hard work is paying off and that they are on the right path toward recovery. Celebrating these small victories and outlining the next achievable steps can renew their hope and determination, motivating them to stick with their therapy, knowing that each session brings them closer to their ultimate health goals.

Regularly review and reflect on the progress the client has made. Celebrating small victories can reinforce their efforts and motivate them to continue pushing forward, even when the going gets tough

Reflecting on progress allows for the client to not focus on anxiety-driven triggers that started the need for therapy. The small victories play a major part in reducing setbacks, stigma, feeling of shame. For example, reflecting on the client's continued effort to show up to therapy even though the drive may be gone demonstrates that the client is still willing to work through the issues. In addition, it shows that the client has developed some trust with the therapist.

Motivating a patient to engage in therapy can be much more effective when you foster a sense of collaboration. By involving them in the planning and decision-making process, you help them feel valued and heard. Take the time to discuss their goals and concerns, and work together to create a personalized therapy plan that addresses their specific needs. When patients feel like active participants in their treatment, rather than passive recipients, they are more likely to commit to the process. This collaborative approach builds trust and empowers patients, making them more invested in their therapy and motivated to follow through with the treatment plan, knowing that it has been tailored just for them.

Ask them open ended questions about their ideal health and wellness vision to stimulate positivity and possibly intrinsic motivation

Position yourself as a partner in the client's journey rather than an authority figure. Working together as a team can make the client feel more engaged and invested in their success.