By Bruce Robertson and Steve Briskham
Whether it's sealing the deal during an initial consultation or getting a "problem" patient to turn a corner, commitment plays a huge role in the process of healing.
Have you ever noticed what type of people are drawn to you for help? Therapists who demand commitment from their clients will attract clients who are willing to make a commitment - and invariably this will help you achieve good results.
Here are three ways to ensure that your clients and patients are committed to their own health:
1. Ask for a commitment of 4 visits.
If you want a new client to commit to their health, simply ask them.
Specifically, ask them to commit to 4 consultations. We know from our trials and from talking to successful NES practitioners that this approach contributes to enhancing clinical results.
If this is something you are not currently doing and you're apprehensive that clients will not like this approach, please be reassured: in our research, almost always clients were willing, even eager, to agree.
Keep in mind what you're NOT saying when you ask a client to commit to 4 visits: you're not saying that a patient's problems will be fixed in 4 visits (though they could be). You are saying, however, that for NES to work effectively, and for clients to experience the benefits, they need to commit to the process and 4 visits is a number that will generally help them achieve results. (For chronic/severe conditions, more than 4 visits may be ideal.)
Regardless of how many visits you decide on, this initial commitment is a very important step. You can always review things with the client at a later date, once they are responding and progress can be gauged.
2. Question resistance.
If you find clients or patients resisting a commitment - whether to investing in more visits or to their health in general - a good technique to use is resistance questioning.
Acknowledge the patient's reasons for NOT committing and question their resistance. You can use questions like:
You can take these idea and adjust them to fit with your way of working. The important point is that - from the first visit - the client is clear they need to make an external commitment to both a specific course of treatment and an internal commitment to the overall process of getting well.
3. Identify desired changes.
To achieve things in life, including changes in well-being, three essential ingredients are required:
Part of the consultation process - and the ongoing check-in process with a client - should be to identify what the client wants to achieve: their goals and focus.
Also ensuring that they have an incentive to achieve their goal is a vital part of the healing process. If they are not clear what they want or why they want it (the real reasons why - not the reasons they may come up with because of pressures, expectations, or standards set forth by society, family, peers, etc.), then their likelihood of committing to a course of treatment is compromised.
Don't assume that just because someone has come to you for help they know what they want, why they want it, and that they have a committed attitude to change. They may indeed have these qualities (and this usually becomes obvious quite quickly), however, some people need help to become clear and motivated. Those who are clear and motivated to change will commit to a course of action.
These three techniques put focus on the client and help them to understand they have a responsibility for fixing themselves. Many people want to make you, the practitioner, responsible for fixing their problems. Never forget that it is the client that heals herself; a therapist only provides the environment for her to achieve this.
The patient is the one ultimately making the changes at an energetic, physical, chemical and emotional level.
It is also worth reminding yourself of the commitment you put into becoming a practitioner.
Originally, you had a desire and goal of becoming a practitioner. You probably researched different courses and colleges and made a choice on what and where you were going to study. You then made a commitment to several years of study and to cover the associated costs to reach your goal. This was a big commitment and it was instrumental in bringing you to where you are today.
Also remind yourself of the commitment you continue to make as a practitioner: the costs of running a practice; attending courses; self development; buying the NES system; keeping yourself healthy; making time for clients; and offering the best service.
To respect this commitment, you owe it to yourself to have commitment from your clients.
Whether it's sealing the deal during an initial consultation or getting a "problem" patient to turn a corner, commitment plays a huge role in the process of healing.
Have you ever noticed what type of people are drawn to you for help? Therapists who demand commitment from their clients will attract clients who are willing to make a commitment - and invariably this will help you achieve good results.
Here are three ways to ensure that your clients and patients are committed to their own health:
1. Ask for a commitment of 4 visits.
If you want a new client to commit to their health, simply ask them.
Specifically, ask them to commit to 4 consultations. We know from our trials and from talking to successful NES practitioners that this approach contributes to enhancing clinical results.
If this is something you are not currently doing and you're apprehensive that clients will not like this approach, please be reassured: in our research, almost always clients were willing, even eager, to agree.
Keep in mind what you're NOT saying when you ask a client to commit to 4 visits: you're not saying that a patient's problems will be fixed in 4 visits (though they could be). You are saying, however, that for NES to work effectively, and for clients to experience the benefits, they need to commit to the process and 4 visits is a number that will generally help them achieve results. (For chronic/severe conditions, more than 4 visits may be ideal.)
Regardless of how many visits you decide on, this initial commitment is a very important step. You can always review things with the client at a later date, once they are responding and progress can be gauged.
2. Question resistance.
If you find clients or patients resisting a commitment - whether to investing in more visits or to their health in general - a good technique to use is resistance questioning.
Acknowledge the patient's reasons for NOT committing and question their resistance. You can use questions like:
- What is the belief behind your resistance?
- Why won’t ___ work for you or why are you not using ___ to improve your health?
- What do you think your resistance protects you from feeling or believing about yourself?
- What would happen if you could let that resistance go?
You can take these idea and adjust them to fit with your way of working. The important point is that - from the first visit - the client is clear they need to make an external commitment to both a specific course of treatment and an internal commitment to the overall process of getting well.
3. Identify desired changes.
To achieve things in life, including changes in well-being, three essential ingredients are required:
- A goal: What is to be achieved.
- Incentive: Why that goal is wanted and needed.
- Commitment: Perseverance to achieve the goal.
Part of the consultation process - and the ongoing check-in process with a client - should be to identify what the client wants to achieve: their goals and focus.
Also ensuring that they have an incentive to achieve their goal is a vital part of the healing process. If they are not clear what they want or why they want it (the real reasons why - not the reasons they may come up with because of pressures, expectations, or standards set forth by society, family, peers, etc.), then their likelihood of committing to a course of treatment is compromised.
Don't assume that just because someone has come to you for help they know what they want, why they want it, and that they have a committed attitude to change. They may indeed have these qualities (and this usually becomes obvious quite quickly), however, some people need help to become clear and motivated. Those who are clear and motivated to change will commit to a course of action.
These three techniques put focus on the client and help them to understand they have a responsibility for fixing themselves. Many people want to make you, the practitioner, responsible for fixing their problems. Never forget that it is the client that heals herself; a therapist only provides the environment for her to achieve this.
The patient is the one ultimately making the changes at an energetic, physical, chemical and emotional level.
It is also worth reminding yourself of the commitment you put into becoming a practitioner.
Originally, you had a desire and goal of becoming a practitioner. You probably researched different courses and colleges and made a choice on what and where you were going to study. You then made a commitment to several years of study and to cover the associated costs to reach your goal. This was a big commitment and it was instrumental in bringing you to where you are today.
Also remind yourself of the commitment you continue to make as a practitioner: the costs of running a practice; attending courses; self development; buying the NES system; keeping yourself healthy; making time for clients; and offering the best service.
To respect this commitment, you owe it to yourself to have commitment from your clients.
