A word from MINT trainer Chris de Beer:
Today, I wanted to talk a little bit about one of the most powerful tools that we have in our MI tool box, and that is reframing.
What is a reframe?
Reframing is a specific type of reflection in which you pull out what the client says, but is not hearing- specifically, strengths or change talk. It’s a powerful way to help shift the conversation when clients are focused on barriers to change.
You’re not telling the client how they’re going to be able to make a change; You’re highlighting what’s already within the client, just hidden.
I have a story that I think helps to illustrate how this works.
Like many of you, there are times when there are things in my house that I cannot find: my keys, my wallet, even my glasses.
Let’s take losing my keys as an example.
I can walk through my house and look in all the places where my keys should be, but they’re just not there. The more I look unsuccessfully in all the places where I’m convinced the keys should be, the more frustrated I get about them being missing.
I can get locked in a vicious cycle of trying, and failing.
(And don’t our clients?)
The story I tell myself is that these keys are just gone. I’m never going to find them. I might start to think about all the consequences of not finding my keys: I’m going to be late, I’m not going to be able to do the things that I have on my schedule for today. The upset grows.
The reality, though, is that there are other ways that I can look at the story about me and my keys.
I could tell myself, “In all likelihood, the keys are still somewhere in my house, and I have always found them before.” I could consider that it is my strategy that isn’t working, and I could look elsewhere. Maybe I could think about this as an opportunity for me to ask for help. Or, I might just need to take a break and try again when I’m less frustrated.
Those are all different perspectives, different ways to look at the story about me and my keys.
Motivational Interviewing Tip of the Week: A good reframe offers to the client another perspective or possibility in the form of a reflection. Explore reflecting back to your client a potential perspective that highlights change talk. It can be really powerful, especially with clients who are discouraged about making a change.
Happy New Year to you all. Good luck with your reframes, and I hope you all find your keys!
