Case Description and Reflection
Keyshia is a teenager who is grappling with drug abuse, specifically she is smoking bhang. Her academic performance is dwindling as a result of failing to attend classes. In addition, she is troubled by the protective nature of her parents. All these problems have a compounding effect on her psychosocial stability as a young person with plenty of strides to make in life. It is evident that Keyshia needs help to overcome the challenges and remain focused on her studies, which will ultimately shape her usefulness in society. The motivational interview process is a critical step in ensuring that the student changes her behavior ( Lundahl et al., 2010 ). From the interview, Keyshia shows positive relations. She is optimistic that the counseling therapies will work. According to the stages of motivational interviewing, Keyshia is in the stage of preparation and action. These two stages are seemingly working hand in hand considering the fact that Keyshia is responding well to the therapy and exhibit great concern to implement the change fully.
As a practitioner, I have used open-ended questions significantly throughout the interview process. The open-ended questions create another way of communicating with the client without limiting their options and answer. Each open-ended question that is asked is meant to elicit a reaction and response from the client. The advantage of using open-ended questions in the motivational interview is predicated on the issuance of answers that broaden the scope and knowledge of the interviewer concerning the subject of discussion ( Naar & Suarez, 2011 ). Whereas using closed-ended questions confines the client to a single word response such as yes or no, open-ended question enables the practitioner to gauge the concerns and feelings of the client. By using multiple open-ended questions, I was able to assert that indeed Keyshia was concerned about her behaviors and conducts. I was able to judge from the behavior of the client that she would be easily offended by closed-ended questions which would seem as if she was in an interrogation room. The open-ended questions were also accompanied by paraphrasing and reflection.
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I used paraphrasing and reflection to create an atmosphere of emphasis during the interview. Keyshia is still in a volatile state, implying that she can easily relapse if the motivational interview process lacks objectivity. The primary objective of the motivational interview is to instigate the client to take change measures. Changes can only be enhanced if there is a solid and tangible need. By paraphrasing and reflecting on the statements and response made by Keyshia, I was creating an atmosphere of objectivity. The strategy worked well as the client responded to the questions satisfactorily. An essential aspect of paraphrasing and reflection is that it places the practitioner in the shoes of the clients ( Naar & Suarez, 2011 ). The client must feel that the practitioner empathizes with his or her situation. The level of our collaboration was remarkable considering the openness and readiness of Keyshia to respond to all the questions asked.
The motivational interview revolves around the issue of drug abuse and school attendance. Failing to attend classes have grave ramification on academic performance. Similarly, the use of consumption has legal, social, psychological and health effects. The person-centered interview aims at facilitating change ( Naar & Suarez, 2011 ). As such, the interview also employed the pros and cons. When Keyshia is asked why she opts to use cannabis, she mentions the advantages of smoking bhang, which she mentions as a stress-reliever. Again, she talks about the disadvantages of consuming the drug. Drugs are a menace to the youths, and society is grappling with this social vice. Therefore, using pros and cons strategies is established to underscore the negative consequences of engaging in such behavior ( Lundahl et al., 2010 ). Keyshia admits that consuming drugs reduces her energy and rate of class attendance. In this regard, I have used the skills to evoke the inner feelings of the client, and on her admission, the tone and the mood of the conversation change.
Perhaps, the most important element of this motivational interview is the change talk ( Naar & Suarez, 2011 ). As I continue to engage Keyshia in the interview, she admits that she is in the process of changing her behavior. The change talk is promising that why I reaffirm my position. In any case, it is highly unexpected that quitting the use of drugs will be achieved in one day. Quitting consumption of drugs takes effort and commitment. Keyshia states that she is reducing the intake of cannabis. As a practitioner, I encourage her to continue engaging in this change talk as it will determine the outcome of the process in the end. At this point, I know that affirming my position will assist Keyshia in continue with the goal of changing her behaviors. Using the affirmation strategy is aimed at showing Keyshia that I am appreciative of the steps she is making.
Conclusively, the strategies that I employ with my client Keyshia are appropriate in the context. The client becomes more open and assertive which enables me to devise ways of improving our collaboration. The strong foundation that I have created with my client is essential for a future relationship. Keyshia shows exuberance and is optimistic about the process, which is an inspiration for me as a practitioner. In the end, the core elements of motivational interviewing fortified the goals and objectives that my client and I have set to accomplish.
References
Lundahl, B. W., Kunz, C., Brownell, C., Tollefson, D., & Burke, B. L. (2010). A meta-analysis of motivational interviewing: Twenty-five years of empirical studies. Research on social work practice , 20 (2), 137-160.
Naar, S., & Suarez, M. (2011). Motivational interviewing with adolescents and young adults . Guilford Press.
