A Toolkit of Motivational Skills

How to Help Others Reach for Change

Catherine Fuller, Phil Taylor, Kath Wilson

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN:
  9781118510292
• Edition: 3
• eBook ISBN:
  9781118510254
• Topic: Psychology
• Subtopic: Psychotherapy
• Index: Psychology

A Toolkit of Motivational Skills, Third Edition, draws on the latest research to show how the Motivational Interviewing approach can be effectively utilized to draw out and sustain an individual's internal motivation for behavioral change.

• Updated with a wide range of applications and practical examples of motivational techniques which have effectively helped others to change
• Updated with a wide range of applications and practical examples of motivational techniques which have effectively helped others to change
• Features a variety of supplemental resources including 16 online video examples of MI in action, with a workbook chapter that helps readers analyse each video in detail
• Includes new illustrations and diagrams designed to amplify the text and make it an engaging and enjoyable reading experience

Chapter 1
Introduction

WHY READ THIS BOOK?

This book is for you if you are struggling with any of the following questions:

• ‘How can I help someone who just doesn't want to change something which is harming them?’
• ‘How can I help someone who wants to, but can't change?’
• ‘How can I help someone who is resistant to every suggestion I make?’

The Toolkit explores all these questions and more. It won't provide you with a magic wand to change others, but it can help you to change your approach, and in turn have a positive impact, not only on your own life, but everyone you communicate with.

WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM READING THE TOOLKIT?

The third edition of A Toolkit of Motivational Skills has been written for, and with reference to, experiences shared by professionals, front line workers, staff developers, managers, carers, and parents in a variety of settings including criminal justice, social care, health, welfare, citizens advice, veterinary science, education, benefit and employment agencies, ‘Samaritans’, drug and alcohol services, security services, public transport, and youth services. Indeed, it is relevant to anyone who is helping someone struggling with change.

In updating the Toolkit from earlier editions, we have responded to feedback to retain clear and simple every‐day explanations and exercises for both practitioners and for those undertaking change. These include trigger videos on the web‐site “www.wiley.com/go/fuller/motivational‐skills” so you can see and hear how a motivational approach is put into practice, together with training materials and more in‐depth updated research and theory sections.

WHY A MOTIVATIONAL APPROACH TO HELPING PEOPLE TO CHANGE?

People who help others to change are often passionate about wanting to make a difference to others' lives. You may be one of these people and under pressure to solve problems instantly. Many of the public service workers we have worked with mention that they only have 10 minutes to change lives and question what can be achieved in this time.

It is very easy in such circumstances to slip into a ‘fix‐it now, righting reflex’. However, such an approach rarely works. We have found that the reaction to someone trying to ‘fix’ lives is often:

• F – Fight or Flight
• I – Intimation and
• eXit

Time and time again the more people are warned, argued with, criticised, or threatened the more they resist, challenge, and continue to stay the same. Self‐motivation is not a thing which can be given to someone: it needs to grow within each individual.

What you can do is plant the seeds from which self‐motivation can grow and nourish the environment. ‘A Toolkit of Motivational Skills’ explores how the way you communicate can create that environment.

TRY IT AND SEE

Try testing out the impact of different interactions by listening to the responses you get in everyday life.

Listen out for someone replying to you repeatedly with

‘Ah but …’.

What did you say beforehand? What happens if you continue with the same approach?

If the other person voices reasons to stay the same is this ‘resistance’ or a normal response to your behaviour?

The more someone says they don't want to, can't or won't change the more likely they are to stay the same.

Now listen out for someone saying ‘I want to … I can or I will’.

The more you hear someone talk of change in this way the more likely they are to change.

What is it about your level of interest, compassion, and approach which enables these expressions of motivation in others?

How can you build on your own strengths and style to be more effective at helping others to change?

You cannot force someone to change, but you can change your own behaviour to get a different response. Small changes can make a big difference. If you are not getting the response you want, change what you are doing.

HOW CAN THE TOOLKIT HELP YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR MOTIVATIONAL SKILLS?

The motivational approach outlined in the Toolkit is based on ‘Motivatio...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• About the Authors
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• About the Companion Website
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Theoretical Origins and Evidence Base
• Chapter 3: How to Use the Toolkit to Meet Individual Requirements
• Chapter 4: Establishing Rapport
• Chapter 5: Exploring Current Motivation
• Chapter 6: The Cycle of Change
• Chapter 7: Listening Skills
• Chapter 8: Summarising and Reflective Listening
• Chapter 9: Open Questions
• Chapter 10: Working with Resistance
• Chapter 11: Exploring Ambivalence
• Chapter 12: Developing the Desire to Change
• Chapter 13: Affirmation and Confidence to Change
• Chapter 14: Motivational Action Planning
• Chapter 15: Supporting Change
• Chapter 16: Putting It All Together; Cultivating Your Skills
• Chapter 17: Motivational Skills: Example Training Materials
• References
• Index
• End User License Agreement