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From: Walt Manning
Date: 12 Oct 2010
Time: 09:49:40 -0500
Remote Name: 141.225.97.59
Shayanne, Often the client's motivation has to do with the timing of therapy - when and how the lives of the speaker and the clinician intersect. It's not unusual for people to be motivated for change at periods of their lives when they are in a process of changing to another stage, completing school, changing jobs or careers, & moving to another city. Motivation is also related to the speaker's "stage of change" as described by Prochaska (1992) and his colleagues (pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, etc.). I've often noticed that people in their early 20's are often "ripe" (as Van Riper used to say) for change. Still, as you suggest, the clinician plays a part in motivating the client. Having a clear sense of direction and an underlying rational about the meaning and process of therapy is important and how this is communicated to the client is critical. A belief in the client's ability to succeed - if you really believe that is the case - is important. We can instill motivation to some degree but the speaker must have (or attain) the grit and persistence that is necessary to run the race. If we run along with him or her and show that we are willing to do whatever we ask of the other person (rather than just telling them what to do) the client is more likely to be motivated. This is another way of saying what the literature is showing - that the therapeutic alliance is critical for success in many forms of therapy.