Strategic Responses: Coming Alongside

When other strategies don’t work, consider reflecting back the sustain talk. This may trigger a person to start to argue for change.

Supervisee: Nobody is going to hire me, I’m a felon.
Staff: What companies are looking for is different from the last time you were looking for work. You have some barriers that make it harder for you than others. This is a very difficult challenge to overcome.
Supervisee: I don’t see why I should stop using marijuana. Most of my family smokes, and it helps with my anxiety.
Staff: It is difficult for you to quit. Quitting means experiencing and finding ways to manage your anxiety and it doesn’t seem worth it.