D6- Replies

Shawnna Collins

Feb 18 4:26pm| Last reply Feb 26 9:14am

Reply from Shawnna Collins

· Give an example of Marci’s “change talk.”

Change talk refers to client statements that favor movement toward change and reflect desire, ability, reasons, need, or commitment (Miller & Rollnick, 2023). In Marci’s narrative, her acknowledgment that her substance use is affecting her relationships and functioning represents change talk. For example, when she expresses concern about how her behavior is impacting her family or admits she does not want to continue the same patterns she observed growing up, she is verbalizing discrepancy between her current behavior and her values. This indicates emerging motivation for change.

 

· Give an example of Marci’s “sustain talk.”

Sustain talk consists of statements that support maintaining the status quo (Miller & Rollnick, 2023). Marci’s comments that substances help her cope with stress or that “things are not that bad” illustrate sustain talk. When she minimizes consequences or highlights perceived benefits of use, she is defending continuation of her current behavior. Sustain talk reflects ambivalence rather than resistance and signals unresolved internal conflict.

 

· Where is her ambivalence coming from? Why do you think it is there?

Ambivalence is the coexistence of opposing motivations regarding change (Miller & Rollnick, 2023). In Marci’s case, ambivalence likely stems from intergenerational substance use patterns and learned coping mechanisms within her family system. Substance use has functioned as emotional regulation and relational bonding in her history, while also producing harm. Research emphasizes that addiction is embedded in relational and family contexts, which complicates motivation for change (Kourgiantakis et al., 2021). Marci is likely torn between familiarity and fear of repeating harmful patterns.

 

· Write one sentence for each letter of OARS that you could use with her.

Open-ended question: “What concerns you most about how your substance use is affecting your life right now?” Affirmation: “It takes courage to honestly look at patterns that have been part of your family for so long.” Reflection: “Part of you relies on substances to cope, and another part is worried about where that path leads.” Summary: “You value your family and stability, yet you feel unsure how to manage stress without using.”

 

· How could you use MI’s process of “evoking" to help her resolve any ambivalence and encourage her in a direction of change?

Evoking is the process of drawing out the client’s own motivations for change rather than imposing reasons from the counselor (Miller & Rollnick, 2023). With Marci, this would involve selectively reinforcing change talk, exploring discrepancies between her values and behavior, and asking evocative questions such as, “What would life look like if you felt more in control?” By reflecting and amplifying her statements that favor change, the counselor strengthens intrinsic motivation and supports self-efficacy.

 

· 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.

Proverbs 20:5 states, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version [ESV], 2001). This reflects the MI principle of evoking and drawing out what is already within the client rather than directing from outside.

James 1:5 (ESV, 2001) encourages seeking wisdom from God when facing difficult decisions. This can support Marci in prayerfully reflecting on her choices and aligning them with her values. Scriptural integration would be client-centered and only incorporated with her consent, reinforcing autonomy while encouraging spiritual reflection.

References

 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). Crossway.  https://www.esv.orgLinks to an external site.

 

Kourgiantakis, T., Ashcroft, R., Mohamud, F., Fearing, G., & Sanders, J. (2021). Family-focused practices in addictions: A scoping review.  Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 21(1), 18–53.  https://doi.org/10.1080/1533256X.2020.1870287Links to an external site.

 

Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2023). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change and grow (4th ed.). Guilford Press.