Welcome toWelcome to Applied Skills in Applied Skills in Human Services Human Services

Jonathan Squyres

How do you set goals for Clients professionally?

How do you set goals for yourself?

Start where the client is?

Unit 6Unit 6

Understand Thinking Understand Thinking PatternsPatterns

Effective paraphrasing helps clients identify the differences between feeling, situations and behaviors – and this enables them to take greater control of their thoughts and behaviors

These patterns refer to relationships between thinking, feeling and acting and the need to be quite purposeful in identifying these

Clients with a thinking/feeling pattern often need help in identifying behaviors/goals, in determining action approaches and following through on these

Clients with a thinking/acting pattern may need help in noticing and naming their feelings and being more aware of the emotional impact of own actions on others

Blind SpotsBlind SpotsBlind spots may be dysfunctions about which

the client is unaware, deceives self about, chooses not to look at, or just does not care about

Helping clients with blind spots may mean challenging them about self-limiting behaviors

This may also mean confronting them gently about unused strengths and resources

Challenging clients to see their strengths is a key feature of a strengths approach

Life is like driving – we have to be aware of our blind spots & adjust our behavior

accordingly – or we may cause a wreck!

What is the Locus of Control?What is the Locus of Control?

refer to the extent to which clients believe they are in charge of their achievements in life and in turn feel in control of attaining further outcomes.

those who see themselves as internally controlled are more likely to do well in school, successfully stop smoking, wear seat belts, practice birth control, deal with marital problems directly, make lots of money, and delay instant gratification in order to achieve long-term goals

Locus of control is a term that refers to a person's belief about what causes the good or bad results in his life.

Think of “Locus” as a combination of Location and Focus!

Specific Goal SettingSpecific Goal Setting Goal setting or planning is

a normal human function

Goal achievement increases personal control and the likelihood of further goal success

Effective goals belong to the client, emerge from their experiences and may be assisted by brainstorming

BrainstormingBrainstormingNo judgment- just listing ideas

and solutions.

Specific Goal SettingSpecific Goal Setting Clients are energized by

goal-focused work and a belief in their own power to change

Effective goals are based on a view of small ‘baby’ steps, not on final solutions

Effective goals are behavioral, concrete, measurable, realistic and challenging

The Miracle QuestionThe Miracle Question

‘Suppose a miracle happened, and you woke up tomorrow morning and the problem that brought you here is solved. What would be different about your behavior in your everyday life?’

Focus on the SPECIFIC daily behaviors that would change!