Brief Summary
Dr. Judith Beck shares a clinical tip from the third edition of her textbook, "Cognitive Behavior Therapy Basics and Beyond," on how to motivate clients to read their therapy notes. The key is to apply the same strategies used for any action plan item, particularly connecting it to the client's values and aspirations. Addressing potential obstacles and demonstrating the actual time commitment required can also be effective.
- Link reading therapy notes to client's values and aspirations.
- Address potential obstacles to reading notes.
- Show clients the actual time required to read notes is short.
Motivating Clients to Read Therapy Notes
To encourage clients to review their therapy notes, therapists should employ the same techniques they would use for any action plan item. This involves connecting the task to the client's core values and aspirations, making it more meaningful and increasing their motivation. It's important to proactively inquire about potential obstacles that might prevent the client from reading their notes. For example, if a client expresses concern about time constraints, ask them to estimate how long they think it will take to read the notes. If their estimation is an overestimate, the therapist can have the client read the notes aloud or silently during the session while timing them. This helps the client realize that the task typically takes a much shorter time, often around 30 seconds, making it seem less daunting and more manageable.
