The Goal of Evoking Change Talk
In therapy, particularly with Macy’s willingness to discuss her relationship with her mom, the next step is to evoke change talk. This process involves eliciting Macy’s thoughts about improving this relationship and what changes it would entail for her. Understanding that therapists can’t control others or force clients to change, the focus is on helping clients like Macy contemplate and commit to change.
Understanding Change Talk
Change talk is indicative of a client’s preparation for change and may encompass various aspects:
- Desire for change: Expressing a wish for things to be different, as Macy has shown.
- Confidence in ability: Believing in their capability to effect change.
- Reasons for change: Understanding why they want to change, including the benefits they anticipate and the costs of not changing.
- Expressing the cost of current behavior: Complaining about current behaviors or situations can signal understanding their negative impact and a reason to change.
- Recognizing the need for change: A sense of urgency or necessity to make changes.
The ultimate goal is to hear the client’s commitment or willingness to change, moving beyond recognizing problems to expressing a readiness to act.
The Process of Evocation
In evocation, the therapist aims to draw out the client’s change talk. This involves exploring the client’s confidence in improving their situation, the importance of the change, and the reasons behind it. The focus is on the benefits of change and the consequences of maintaining the status quo.
Pros and Cons in Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing emphasizes focusing on the pros (benefits of change) and cons (consequences of not changing). However, it’s essential to be cautious about emphasizing the costs of not changing, especially if the client, like Macy, is struggling with confidence issues or feeling demoralized. In such cases, focusing on the potential benefits of change and building the client’s confidence is more beneficial.
Applying Evocation with Macy
In Macy’s case, the therapist has engaged her in discussing her goals and the potential benefits of improving her relationship with her mother. Macy often talks about the conflict with her mother, providing insight into what the relationship is costing her. Yet, her confidence in the ability to make changes appears low, making it hard for her to envision the benefits of a better relationship.