Overview
The student must then post three (3) replies of at least 200 words. Three replies that directly address related threads; Each reply is a unique contribution that reflects thoughtful analysis of topic and thread.
Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbooks, journal articles, books, the Bible, etc. Websites are NOT preferred sources!
Please reply to the following 3 discussion posts:
(P.S Please separate each response and place reference directly under the correspondence response)
Carefully check your spelling and grammar before posting to avoid losing points.
When you reply to classmates, please begin your replies using your classmates' first names.
1. Lu. V Posted
“Evoking” in Motivational Interviewing
Marci exhibits ambivalence when it comes to altering her drug use habits. This is seen in words that might be regarded as "change talk" since they show she knows the negative effects of her drug and alcohol usage. For instance, Marci confided in her pals that she had recently felt nervous and unhappy. This shows that she can understand how her drug use could harm her mental health, which may inspire her to make a change. Aside from hurting her connection with her parents and interfering with her academics and ambition, Marci also spoke of feeling regret and shame over her drinking and marijuana usage. Her understanding of these negative repercussions on her life demonstrates a problem-solving mindset.
However, Marci also engages in "sustain talk," demonstrating her reluctance to alter her behavior. She said that she would want to continue consuming marijuana if she could figure out a means to avoid being caught. She continues to question marijuana's safety and enjoys and relaxes with it. These remarks show she loves the effects of drugs and has conflicting goals of seeking delight and bettering her circumstances. Her ambivalence is probably caused by a desire for the immediate high that comes from using drugs but also having to deal with growing negative effects in other aspects of her life. She struggles between giving in to her wishes and living up to external standards like her parents. Her internal conflict makes it challenging to commit to altering her use behaviors.
I would use contemplation and open-ended questions to elicit Marci's motives for positive change by asking her to expound on the concerns developing in her life and how change may solve those problems. I may, for instance, inquire about her opinion of the recent effects of her drug usage on her life. Thanks to this open-ended inquiry, she can consider the consequences she is seeing, which could encourage greater discussion about change. She had qualities, such as intellect and academic accomplishment, before her deterioration, which I would also point out. Affirming her values and assets, such as her wish to reestablish a trustworthy connection with her parents or to practice law, might bring to light inconsistencies between her present behavior and her aspirations, which may lead to a change discussion. I may also enquire about her spiritual life and her previous love of church activities to see how drug abuse has impeded activities she formerly valued. These conflicts with her ideals might spur change if they are brought up. Additionally, recognizing and considering instances in which she used constructive coping strategies in the past may highlight her capacity for alternative stressor management (Kato, 2022). I may assist Marci in overcoming her ambivalence in favor of constructive change by eliciting her assessments of the issues at hand and her reasons for wanting to change.
Scriptural concepts are also in line with this method of inciting change discussion. God gives way through temptation, as 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, suggesting He can also help Marci find a way through her ambivalence. God's hope for us is expressed in Jeremiah 29:11, which might inspire action when unsure what to do. Both texts indicate that even when we feel conflicted like Marci did, meaningful transformation is still achievable with God's assistance. As a counselor, I would want to apply these passages gently rather than in a coercive or strong manner. To avoid encountering resistance, I would pay careful attention to Marci to hear her reservations about a religious-based solution. But when used wisely to emphasize God's concern for her and desire for her well-being, these passages might aid in inspiring good change during a period of ambivalence.
OARS for Marci's ambivalence:
- O - I observed you seem torn between wanting to please your parents and satisfying your desires.
- A - What do you make of how your substance use is impacting your life lately?
- R - It sounds like you are feeling stressed about several areas of your life.
- S - I can understand this ambivalence must feel difficult to reconcile.
References
1 Corinthians 10:13 (New International Version). (2011). BibleGateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20C...
Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version). (2011). BibleGateway.com. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jerem...
Kato, T. (2022). Moderating effect of coping flexibility over waiting patiently as a coping strategy for interpersonal stressors and depressive symptoms. Journal of American College Health, 1-7.
2. Fe. D Posted
Hello Everyone,
Give an example of Marci’s “change talk”. An example of Marci's "change talk" is when she stated that she is slowly becoming aware that using marijuana is affecting her motivation, spiritual life, and schoolwork.
Give an example of Marci’s “sustain talk.” An example of Marci's "sustain talk" is when she stated that she has doubts about marijuana's harmfulness. Another example is that she found smoking marijuana pleasurable and relaxing.
Where is her ambivalence coming from? Her ambivalence could be coming from her wanting to appease her parents while, on the other hand, she enjoys the pleasure she gets from smoking marijuana. Why do you think it is there? I believe her ambivalence derives from not wanting to let her parents down, but she could also be using substances to cope with life.
Write one sentence for each letter of OARS that you could use with her. Each sentence I will use for Marci as it relates to OARS is as follows:
- O – What is one thing, big or small, you would like to achieve in the next year?
- A – You are really working hard not to disappoint your parents by not smoking marijuana.
- R – What I am hearing you say is that you feel guilty smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol because it is impacting your relationship and standing in the way of you becoming an attorney.
- S – If you could get away with continuing to smoke marijuana, you would because it is pleasurable and relaxing; however, your desire is to continue to go to school to become an attorney, but you realize that continuing to smoke marijuana impacts your motivation and schoolwork.
How could you use MI’s process of “evoking" to help her resolve any ambivalence and encourage her in the direction of change? I would evoke Marci’s change talk by having the conversations focus on her desire to become an attorney. The desire to finish school is still there, or she would have dropped out. I would motivate her by asking her what area of law she is interested in and focusing on one of the classes she is currently enjoying. Doing so will shift her mindset from what she thinks she is missing from using marijuana to where she wants the direction of her life to go.
Try to find two Scriptural references that could apply to the process of evoking and how you would seek to use them in working with Marci. The two scriptures that come to mind in Marci’s case are Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you saith the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The other scripture is from Proverbs 24:16: For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again. I will seek to use both scriptures to help her realize that we, as humans, are not infallible. We forgive ourselves and others, but we seek the Lord for His guidance because His plans are better than what we can imagine for ourselves. Although Marci has hit a bump in her life, she must understand that we all have made a wrong turn; we are not proud of, but we must adjust and learn as we continue to walk through life with the help of the Lord.
References
Holy Bible, New International Version (2011). Biblegateway.com
3. Mi. H Posted
Change Talk
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an excellent evidence-based approach to help Marci treat her substance abuse disorder. According to Miller and Rollnick (2013), change talk would be Marci's statements to support change. Marci's change talk from the case study is minimal and nonexistent, and her behaviors are in the precontemplation stage. Marci's actions sometimes show that she wants to take small steps to change. Over a year ago, Marci quit smoking cigarettes for six months. Marci has not tried the Xanax given to her by her friend. For the past two months, Marci has decreased her use of alcohol and marijuana since her arrest. Marci's mental health exam and observations illustrate that she demonstrates proper insight into her actions and understands how her choices contributed to her negative consequences. She continues to lack the desire to stop alcohol and marijuana consumption. Marci does not want to participate in counseling.
Sustain Talk
Sustain talk is an individual's argument for not changing behaviors (Miller & Rollnick, 2013). Marci is knowledgeable and understands how her substance use impacts home, school, and her actions in the community. Marci understands that driving while intoxicated and having marijuana in her possession caused her to be arrested. However, Marci is facing legal, financial, and relational issues. It also impacted her grades, general interests in activities, employment, and spiritual life. Marci has doubts about marijuana being harmful, and her use of alcohol has not changed. Marci believes that alcohol and marijuana improve her mood and help her feel better.
Ambivalence
At the age of 13 years-old, Marci’s family incorporated drinking wine with dinner as a nightly routine. The privileges to drink at an early age contributed to Marci’s excessive alcohol use. Marci observes her family and friends consuming alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes. Marci has shared with her friends that she feels depressed and anxious, and Marci believes that her substance use helps to alleviate her symptoms of depression and anxiety. It appears that Marci's ambivalence may stem from the freedom and liberty to choose what she feels is best for her life. It is possible that she knows more about her father's and mother's substance use and thinks she may be able to stop without.
Open-ended questions
Marci, share with me how do you feel about your substance use?
Affirming
Marci, you are an intelligent young lady with a bright future ahead of you!
Reflections
Marci, earlier you shared that you had a great relationship with your parents prior to your substance abuse. Tell me how that makes you feel.
Summarizing
Marci, as we close, I will summarize your visit. You shared that you have noticed a change in your life due to substance abuse in the areas of school, personal motivation, your spiritual life, and there still is no plan to stop the use.
How could you use MI’s process of “evoking” to help her resolve any ambivalence and encourage her in a direction of change?
According to Miller and Rollnick (2013), evoking involves drawing out the client's motivation for change. I would focus on Marci's desire to complete college in hopes of becoming an attorney. In doing so, I would include Marci’s parents as a support system. Marci shared that she attended church regularly in the past, her church family and spirituality could also work as motivating factors as well. The more Marci can voice the reasons that she should change, the more likely she will put forward the effort to move toward change with her support systems.
Try to find two Scriptural references that could apply to the process of evoking, and how you would seek to use them in working with Marci.
Marci, can we talk about your walk with Christ and what that meant to you when you were younger. I know that you frequented church regularly and have taken mission trips with your family. Maybe it’s time to reconnect with God as you lean on His power and presence for support that is far beyond what you can obtain from an earthly support. I want to share two scriptures with you that you can meditate on for strength and guidance. The first scripture comes from the book of Deuteronomy in the 31st chapter. It states that you should “be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (New International Version, Deuteronomy 31:6, 2023). And lastly, Jeremiah 29:11 states that God knows the plan He has for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (New International Version, 2023). Meditate on these scriptures and know that God is omnipresent, especially in your time of need. God is the ultimate provider He will provide a way out of whatever is challenging you. God’s plan for your life is far greater than you could ever imagine. Trust in the Lord to help you fight your battles.
References
Miller, W.R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (3rd ed.). The Guilford Press.
New International Version Bible. (2023). You Version. https://youversion.com/deueronomyLinks to an external site.
New International Version Bible. (2023). You version. https://youversion.com/ephesiansLinks to an external site.