Question

2.In the Textbook Readings for this module/week, Connors et al. present the Stages of Change model. How do you believe this model can help counselors, particularly Christian counselors, more effectively work with those who struggle with substance abuse and addiction?

Answer 1

Connors’ stages of change model provides a practice step by step approach to the assess the emotional response to sudden or induced changes and increase the individual’s emotional preparedness to the change by encouraging positive optimistic cognitions as opposed to pessimistic thoughts. If applied within the context of group sessions with patients of substance use disorders, a Christian counsellor can incorporate Connor’s. change model into increasing the clients’ feeling of empowerment and self-control. According to this model, individual’s progress through five cyclical Stages with swinging between optimism and pessimism as the underlying principle.

In the first stage of uninformed optimism, they may experience excitation about their new plan of therapy. At this stage, the counsellor can draw up a list of the benefits that they may hope to achieve. These will motivate the clients later on.

As the drug addict would experience the negative effect of withdrawal symptoms and craving with the change caused by the absence of the drug, he or she can experience frustration and doubt about their commitment. At this stage, giving information about such negative feelings or informed pessimism will help to bring down the emotional reaction and help the clients focus on their goal. At the third stage, counsellors can help build hopeful realism about the clients’ competence at managing the programme. At the fourth stage, counsellors can give affirmations to the clients so that they feel confident that they have made the right choice and encourage them further to share them experiences with others in a support group environment. Thus through all these stages, a Christian counsellor can lead his or her clients to deal more competently about their emotional difficulties.