Motivating Clients in Treatment Groups

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe a set of clinical principles for enhancing the motivation of participants in treatment groups. These principles are derived from the motivational-related research on therapy, the authors' own clinical experiences, and anecdotal evidence. The suggested strategies are aimed at improving the quality of treatment goals, enhancing clients' participation in therapy, acceptance of their problems, and working on resolving them. The underlying assumption is that ambivalence about therapy is normal and must be dealt with before treatment goals can be achieved.

KEYWORDS:

• group work
• group treatment
• group therapy
• group counseling
• motivation
• motivational enhancement