I believe it is important to empower our clients for a variety of reasons: It enables our clients to recognize their strengths and abilities and perform on their own. It enables them to solve problems in the future on their own and successfully. It seems related to shorter periods of treatment for successful change -- a goal of insurance companies and our clients. Here are a variety of strategies we can use to empower. Please e-mail me if you identify others.

1. Challenge stereotypes. See your clients as people rather than labels -- of diagnosis, gender, class, race, physical or intellectual ability or sexual preference.

2. While challenging stereotypes, do not overlook that your client might be a member of an oppressed group. Let them know that you are open to talking about any issues they may have relating to their perception of how they are viewed by society.

3. Set up an egalitarian rather than hierarchical relationship. Treat your clients as collaborators. Brainstorm together.

4. Let your clients see you as a real person, someone who sometimes makes mistakes. Nothing is less empowering than to be exposing your weaknesses to someone who's "perfect."

5. What do your clients see as "the problem"? Their perception of the "problem" may be different from the one you see.

6. Ask about exceptions to their problems rather than assuming that it's always bad.

7. Ask about points of light in their life rather than assuming that they are having problems everywhere.

8. Recognize strengths and validate these.

9. Remember that their "problematic" behavior makes sense to them and attempts to solve a problem they face.

10. Listen to their viewpoint on etiology.

11. Ask for and listen to their "solutions." (If not a complete solution, the germ of a solution may be present.)

12. Assist them in recognizing patterns in their behavior rather than doing this for them to the degree they are capable of doing so.

13. Rather than assume they need a service, ask if they do, and aim for the least restrictive service or intervention that meets their needs.

14. Rather than solving their problems, teach them how to do so.

15. Discuss the rationale for your decisions and interventions. Do they agree? Obtain their informed consent on strategies to change.

16. Recognize the role of context on their behavior and help them see it -- rather than blaming them inappropriately for their problems.

17. Listen to their view on the world and learn from them.

    Page by Jeanne M. Slattery (jslattery@mail.clarion.edu)
    URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/empower.html

    Last modified December 6, 1999

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