Do's and Don'ts

DO:

• Use open-ended questions
• Be aware of your biases & try to keep them out of the conversation
• Explore your client’s readiness to change (see the Readiness Ruler under "Tools")
• Target your intervention to their stage of change (See Assessing readiness to change under "Substance Abuse")
• Use Elicit Provide Elicit to provide information, especially during low readiness stages
• Balance sustain talk (arguments against change) with attention to change talk (arguments for change)
• Use affirmations to support past successes & positive steps

Affirmations video example

• Use reflections to show empathy and understanding
• Make a plan to have a follow up discussion

Admitting mistakes video example

Managing conflict video example 

DON’T

• Use stereotypes & stigmatizing language

Overcoming stigma video  

Tell the caregiver what to do

• Make suggestions or give advice without permission
• Stay focused only on sustain talk
• Push change before the caregiver is ready

Judgmental unwanted advice video